NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This is the begining of the Latest Dyellian Civil War, people are more than welcome to get involved if they like, however they should appreciate that if they show up unannounced EVERYONE will start shooting at them...

Other than that this thread is kinda a general information thread. There are a lot of side threads going on, and this should give some point of reference as to the actual military situation in Dyelli Beybi.

The Two Forces fighting for Supremacy are,

Royal Alliance Rebel Movement, made up of the Tzarists and Red Faction (and unlikely group). They are campaigning for a return to Democracy with a Constitutional Monarch in place. Red Faction are mainly members of the Highly influencial Communist Party. The Groups are naturally suspicious of each other, but are ready to band together provided the Tzarina keeps her promise of giving up nearly all power upon victory, and red Faction doesn't either try to eliminate her or deny the other members of the nobility the rights to their titles and some compensation for land seized under a previous regime.

Leaders of the Movement are Tzarina Alexia ap Adam (Tzarist Faction)
and Vladimir Dzerzhinsky (Red Faction)


The Greater Empire of Dyelli Beybi
Currently in nominal control of the company under the Command of the General come Dictator Pierre Soult. The Dictatorship has military support in one of the four main provinces, with one province having declared independence and the other two nominally following Soult. Soult's efforts to weed out the Rebel movement have been severly hampered by the fact that the movement is base out of Port Olympus, a in Vrak (the State to the North of Dyelli Beybi).






Opperation Dining Hall...

South of Vrak lay a slim slither of Dyellian territory known as the Dyellian Coridoor. It linked the province of New Dyelli to the two Southern Provinces of East Benjia and the Djel River Valley. New Dyelli was a province that had only nominally declared for Soult, isolating it and demonstrating victories over Soult might convince the Provincial authorities or at least Portions of the Military to declare for the Royal Alliance... The coridoor was controlled by Eight Forts, taking these positions was regarded as essential in the Alliance's battle plan.

It was 4am, Colonel Pak Lee hunched down. The Alliance Uniform was black pyjamies, similar to what the Viet Cong had worn, with a black steel paddy hat style helmet. He had about 400 men at his command...

The target was Fort Kwan. Silent and sleepy, it had a garrison of around 1,000, three layers of trenches and barbed wire with machine gun nests then barracks. Fortunately for Lee, they were not expecting any attack. There would be few guards. They hadn't even switched on the perimeter lights...

His men carried the AK47, the enemy, the SSA1801, a weapon made far to the South in Dyelli Beybi propper. They were interesting in their differences. The 1801 was more lethal and more accurate, but had a poor rate of fire and heavy recoil, meaning while at long ranges it was excellent, up close the AK47 was superior.

The jungle had been cleared for 200 metres around the Fort, there would be no cover. Just a mad dash. He checked his watch, then held up a hand. There was a rustle as the message was passed down the line, then behind him the dull thunk of the mortars.

He raised his hand a second time and advanced at a trot out into the open, on either side of him the shadows of allied troops followed him in a vast black wave. Time went slowly, he clutched his rifle protectively to his chest, expecting the rattle of macine gun fire at any moment...

It didn't come. He continued to advance, now into the smoke the mortars had dropped. Then up ahead he heard what he had feared, coughing and voices, less than 100 metres, there was yelling, he broke into a run, unaware if the rest of the men and women of his unit had as well... 50 metres, the lights came on, more yelling... 20 metres, guns began firing, there was a scream in the smoke which seemed to twitch as bullets passed through it.

Suddenly, Lee stopped as the trench loomed up in front of him, a bullet whizzed past his head, he leaped down. Men in green camouflage were ahead firing into the smoke. He carefully aimed, then pulled the trigger, one was down, the other was turning... A shadow leaped out of the smoke clubbing the soldier with the butt of a rifle then unloading a few quick rounds into his back as he lay sprawled on the ground. Another man leaped into the trench, his head jerked back in a spray of blood, and he collapsed against the trench wall.

"Forward!" Lee yelled, the people in these parts spoke English, despite their Asian appearance, "There's no cover, they overlook us."

He took his own advice. Sirens were sounding in the Fort. They had to move quick or the garrison would awaken, and they'd be overwhelmed. He scrambled through the dirt, avoiding a reel of barbed wire, upwards towards the next line. A woman beside him went down with a shriek, clutching at her arm, but he continued up. A grenade expoded over to his left... The Alliance had no grenades. He'd have to collect some off the dead, and he was in the next trench. He wasn't the first. A tangle of bodies down on the right marked where Alliance troops had overwhelmed a machine gun nest. One Alliance trooper was propped against the side of the trench, breathing heavily. Lee hunched down, hurrying over, "Any grenades?"

The trooper blinked, "I don't know. Have a look."

Lee found three on one man, pocketing them inside the satchel he carried across his shoulder. Then it was onward and upward again. He reached a solid coil of barbed wire, forcing him over to the left. A machine gun nest in the last line had pinned down the advance in this part, although it hadn't spotted him yet. Carefully he selected a grenade, pulled the pin and lobbed it into the nest. The defenders spotted it in time, fleeing away from it and abandoning the gun, "Quickly!" he yelled, breaking into a run again.

The grenade exploded uselessly, but it had served to clear the gun crew, who were now surrendering, "Take prisoners!" he yelled, "Take prisoners!"

Many of the troops would probably switch sides. It was the way war was fought in these parts, especially when they had originally been propping up an unpopular despot.

All around him, black clad soldiers were swarming into the trench and over it. There was resistance inside the barracks complex, but Pak Lee knew it wouldn't last long. They were in the top trench, the enemy were trapped in cramped barracks, the advantage was with the Rebellion. Even as he thought this, he could see white flags fluttering from windows and soldiers laying down their guns.... Fort Kwan had fallen.

Across the front Soult's garrisons were taken by suprise, with all but one Fort falling in the initial assault. The remaining Fort surrendered 2 days later. It had been bloody with an initial deployment of 3,500 Rebel troops, 264 were dead and a further 472 wounded. The initial Imperial garrison in the region had been 9,000 strong and had suffered 372 dead, but with a further 7,614 surrendering.

Opperation Dining Hall had been a resounding success... but it had not won the war, and the Government of New Dyelli did not immediately switch allegiance as had been initially hoped. There would be hard fighting ahead. There was still a long way to go for Colonel Pak Lee...

Tag for future post.

In the days that followed several Divisions of the Army of New Dyelli (previously known as the Red Army) defected. Along with the number of civilian recruits, the Rebel forces were swelling in New Dyelli. Yet there were still problems. Supplies for ammunition was being purchased in Vrak and trucked across the border to Logistics posts in the deep jungle. However it then had to be moved by A-frame civilian labour chains to the front line troops. Most civilians worked willingly, Soult was far from popular. Food was being scavenged, although it wasn't as plentiful as it should have been. They needed to move West into the rice padies of New Dyelli.

Soult had attempted no offensive from his Positions along the Artois line to the East nor from Axe Pass into East Benjia, although he had attempted a vague air assault.

The Rebel forces had 48 MiG 29s... Soult did not know they had defected. 6 Tu-22M flying for Soult were shot down when they attempted to make an unprotected bombing run.

The next day saw a low altitude dogfight between Soult's Eurofighters and Rebellion MiGs. Colonel Lee watched the proceedings from a small clearing. On his left was the imposing bulk of a Lancia truck. Defected New Dyellian troops were manning the massive truck come AA missile array with it's tractor/radar parked some metres away.

The Nw Dyellians who were now calling themselves the 'Red Army' as opposed to the 'Royal Alliance Volunteer Corp' were still wearing their old camouflage uniforms, kevlar jackets and helmets... the only thing that set them apart from the New Dyellian army that was occasionally skirmishing with them in the West were the little blue and yellow arm bands they had sewn onto their uniforms.

The missile array on the back of the truck spun, tracking a Eurofighter's path through the sky. Suddenly there was a roar and a great jet of flame roared from behind the vehicle scorching the grass black as 4 of the small SAM-3 missiles whirred into the clear blue sky. Far off their was a sudden series of small explosions and the blossoming of a parachute...

It was interesting, although Pak Lee himself had little to do. There were rumours that an offensive was going to be carried into Desagradavel, the Capital of New Dyelli, an offensive aimed to seal the matter in this state. It was only a rumour though.

There was another rumour that there would be an offensive towards Axe Pass to secure the road into East Benjia. There was even a rumour that the offensive would be launched to the East, into the Western flank of the Artois line, a 20 mile stretch of fortifications that ended at the Djel River. That would be bloody to be sure.

The truck spun, tracking a new target, but did not fire.

The day was busy. 9 MiGs were downed along with 8 Eurofighters. The Eurofights had proved themselves better in the air, but the low altitude dog fighting left them open to fire from the Lancia trucks.

That evening Pak Lee was summoned to HQ. A fat bald Dyellian in a grey uniform was waiting. The Leeans who inhabited New Dyelli generally viewed the caucasian Dyellians with some scorn. Sure, they were good fighters, but they could never agree and always ended up bickering among themselves. This man though he had the greatest respect though. It was the man who had brought Communism to Dyelli Beybi in the first place, destroying the Army of the Tzar at Bath, it was Field Marshall O'Booze.

HQ was nothing special, an earth dug out covered by canvas netting. Three chairs and a table with a gas lamp on it.

"Colonel." the Dyellian looked up, "please have a seat."

He saluted as he entered, although no salute was returned. Lee noticed a Leean, one of the ethnic New Dyellians (like Lee himself), seated on the Field Marshall's left, mid fourties, black hair parted in the middle, a khakhi dress uniform.. the Uniform of a General, "This is General Ming." the Field Marshall introduced him, "Recently defected with the whole of the 5th New Dyellian Army."

4 Divisions. That was a lot of troops...

"It is an honour Field Marshall, General." Lee seated himself uncomfortable in the prescence of greatness.

"The honour is ours Colonel." the Field Marshall continued, "We hear you behaved with great courage during Opperation Dining Hall. That is why we have decided to transfer you."

Lee looked nonplussed.

"Your current Batallion is being reassigned to training of new recruits." Ming grimaced, "Fortunately most people in this country of ours have lived through at least two civil wars, so very little training is required."

"I am promoting you to Brigadier Commanding the 8th Volunteer Infantry Brigade which will be attached to the 2nd Royal Alliance Division under Major General Hung." O'Booze took the conversation again.

There was a pause, "As a Brigadier you are privy to more private information. There are rumours circulating, as you well know, about what we plan. What you did not know is that there is already a 2nd rebellion brewing in East Benjia, soon they will strike at Christchurch opening up a sea route for our allies to bring in valuable armour, money and weapons."

This was all news to Pak Lee. He wasn't aware there were allies, "General Ming will coordinate the Phuk-Shin offensive, aimed to capture Desagradavel and bring this province to it's knees."

Ming nodded modestly. This would be possibly the easiest part with the rate at which the New Dyellian army was defecting. "Simultaneously we are going to launch Opperation Cuckoo to secure the heights around Axe Pass. This assault will be launched by the 2nd RA. Once secured the 2nd RA will dig in and fortify and allow not one single armoured vehicle through that pass."

There was another pause, "Those are your orders Brigadier."

Lee stood "Yes Comrade Field-Marshall." he saluted.

[Encrypted Radio Transmission]

To: Royal Alliance Rebel Movement
From: The Avisronite Military Intelligence Division

The Federation of Avisron is willing to spend a small fortune in hard currency to help arm the socialist forces. However, we do not completely know the situation on the ground. What, exactly, could you use more of? Do not worry about our ability to ship it to you - just tell us what you need and we'll begin collecting supplies. We can ship small arms, food, medical supplies. Anything small. Just name it.

To Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, esteemed leader of the Red Faction, we salute you!

The bourgeneoning military of the great Castros America will assist you by supplying medical personnel, supplies, and combat guards to your effort. We are adept at guarding prisoners since our recent overthrow of Gitmo province has hardened our troops against Imperial forces.

Please advise how many personnel you require and where the rendezvous will occur.

For Dyelli Beybi!!

Viva el Castro!!

Secure Communiqué to the Greater Empire

The Britannic Empire of British Londinium will support you in any way you require. Please inform us of how we can assist you in this civil war.

-The Emperor and Empress of British Londinium

Encryption level: High
From: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador, Port Olympus
To: The Avisronite Military Intelligence Division

After Consultation with Field Marshall O'Booze, General Ming, and General ap Adam (the Tzarina), we have established that the most immediate need for our soldiers in the field is food and medical supplies. Secondary are water purification tablets as drinking from the streams in New Dyelli has led to a moderate number of soldiers being incapacitated by illness.

Our secondary concern is our general lack of armoured vehicles and air support. At the moment our troops are opperating in deep jungle as well as hill and mountain ranges. These areas are suited for war without air support and tend to be places where heavy armoured vehicles are of little use, however, if we wish to actually win this war, we will need to push into the plains of East Benjia and the Desert of the Djel Valley, areas where air support and armour are essential. At this point in time, it is possible for us to secure these in Vrak, however, we need considerably more money to make these purchases.

We thank you greatly for your support in these trying times, although we are confident of Victory provided Soult does not recieve massive International aid.

Regards,
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky

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Encryption level: High
From: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador, Port Olympus
To: The Wiker, Intelligence Department of Castros America

Esteemed comrades in the nation of Castros America, the Alliance wishes to accept most graciously your effort to support our cause.

We have two possibilities for entry into the theatre. The first we wish to avoid. This would involve an amphibious landing on the Southern Coast of East Benjia to link up with the planned push South. While this might be effective, it would mean you would be forced to engage the Imperial Navy. We wish to capture the Navy intact at the end of this conflict and as such wish to avoid any engagements which could lead to severe damage to it's combat potential.

While more difficult, we believe a better manner to enter the theatre would be to fly transports in over neutral territory to the West of us, then into Southern New Dyelli. We wish to know how many Batallions of Combat Troops we can expect to arrive. At this point we hope to attach them to the Red Army for the planned Phuk-Shin Offensive.

Once again we thank you for your support,
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky

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Encryption level: Medium
From: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I
To: The Emperor and Empress of British Londinium

We thank you greatly for your support in this matter. What we most need at this point in time is combat infantry to infiltrate jungle and mountainous areas and clean the Royal Alliance fighters out of their strongholds. The Dyelli Beybian Army is strong in Armour, however this terrain is difficult for tanks to effectively operate in and much of our manpower is tied up suppressing revolts in other parts of the country.

We thank you greatly for your offer of support in these trying times.

Tania Fradkov
Secretary to the Emperor







(OOC) This is the most up to date map of Klatch

The Terran Sphere no longer exists, the area marked as Fasta Benj is now South-West Benjia. New Dyelli is that weird bit of Dyelli Beybi that comes off the main bit to the North West. If you look closely at the South of Dyelli Beybi you'll see a river Delta. Imagine drawing a line East North East from just to the West of that and you'll get the line of hills that marks the boundary between East Benjia and the Djel Valley. East Benjia is quite a small place compared to the other two provinces.

The RA forces have suggested that Castros America flies planes in across the former Terran Sphere and into New Dyelli from the South (you can see this better on the map).

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v606/jaguar1024/superklatchdeluxe.jpg

To: his Majesty Pierre Soult I
From: The Dual Monarchs of British Londinium

We would be more than happy to supply these troops once the revolution in our nation is sucessfully put down.

Encryption level: Medium
From: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I
To: The Emperor and Empress of British Londinium

Once again we thank you for your support and pray that this may be soon.

Tania Fradkov
Secretary to the Emperor

[Encrypted Response]

To: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador, Port Olympus
From: The Avisronite Military Intelligence Division

Within the next week we will move a GYT-09 "Christine" Tactical Delivery System overhead of your nation. This system is one of the most closely guarded in the Avisronite military. It relies on technology far ahead of that developed in many countries. Its the product of very selective research and... "development." It has a fairly large cargo bay, so we can drop alot in. Our first run will consist completely of medical supplies. It will be a vast amount which should support you for several weeks. The next day we'll drop in an equally large shipment of MRE's, and the next day we'll have enough purification tablets to clean a small lake.

Getting you air support is simple. All we need for you to do is secure an airfield with reinforced hangars and we'll have a secretly government backed "mercenary company" operate out of there.

Right now we don't know how to get you heavy armored vehicles. If a chance opens up, however, we'll fund that too.

Please be aware that the Federation of Avisron does not wish to become publically involved in this conflict. It would hurt our reputation, which allows us to aid in a socialist revolutions much more than overt help would.

We're sure you understand.

To: The Greater Empire of Dyelli Beybi
From: The Infinately Glorious Imperial Socialist Empire of Nicksyllvania.

We wish to Assist the Righteous forces of Pierre Soult in the fight against the evils of Communism. We hereby donate 15 Billion USD towards your cause, and will allow your nations to borrow up to 100 Billion USD with no interest. We are also willing to send one Mechanized Division (15,230 men plus equipment) to help aid the fight against the Communist terrorists.

OOC: I had a long thread explaining EVERYTHING that was going on, but some kind person got onto this computer and closed all my windows while I was out of the room grr... It's the disadvantage of not having my own computer while I'm overseas. I'll post up a more detailed report on the state of the War later

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Encryption level: High
From: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador, Port Olympus
To: The Avisronite Military Intelligence Division

We understand your reluctance to become involved openly although do not necessarily agree that it will allow us to be better supported, nevertheless we are obviously grateful for all support you are willing to offer.

I have confirmed with my esteemed colleague General Ming and he informs me he has seized control of the closest air base to the border of the region formally known as the Terran Sphere. However, he also warns that his control of the area is not complete and some hostile fire around the landing zone cannot be entirely ruled out.

Regards,
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky


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Encryption level: None
From: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I
To: Ministry of Defence or Similar Department, New Nicksyllvania

We thank you for the offer of monetary and military support, although we hasten to add that Government coffers are currently still will endowered.

The troops will be given clearance to land at Christchurch, our most Western Port, we will send a liason officer to meet with them there.

We thank you once again for the support.

Tania Fradkov,
Secretary to the Emperor


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Encryption level: None
From: General ap Adam, Royal Alliance Forces
To: The Governing Body of New Nicksyllvania

I find it most ironic that people such as your supposed Government chose to prop up a dictator with pretensions of Royalty he has no claim whatsoever to. The Royal Alliance supports the legitimate Dyelli Beybian Royal Family in it's claim.

General Alexia ap Adam,
Tzarina of Dyelli Beybi

Secure Communiqué to His Majesty Pierre Soult I

Our ground forces are currently tied up in combating our civil war, however, we are stationing a squadron of RAMC Curiatii (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/RAMC_Curiatii) fighters in one of your airbases to assist you.

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE

To His Majesty Pierre Soult I

You are already aware, we believe, that the Imperium has heard of your crisis through the Anti-Communist Treaty Organization. True to its word, we are prepared to give you what aid we can, despite being militarily engaged elsewhere.

We have created a Swiss bank account for you, containing the sum of thirty billion USD. The account password is ****-****-***** (OOC: Too lazy to actually make one up, sorry...), and is there to fund your cause, at your discretion. If you can guarantee that you have control of your nation's territorial waters, we are prepared to send you arms shipments by sea, the first of which being a shipload of MOAB bombs. If there is anything else you need, simply inform us and we will do what we can.

The Red threat is everywhere, friends, and it menaces us all. But stay strong, look the enemy in the eye, and we shall break them. Blood and Honor.

Darian Aurelius, Minister of Foreign Affairs

over the previous day, there had been sporadic skirmishes, but General Ming had struck like a nail gun through butter. He seemed unstoppable, with troops surrendering and defecting in droves. However before any major assault on Desagradavel itself, he needed to cross the River Shin. Ming had lost 28 of his tanks to 7 enemy, but captured hundreds, lost 109 miscellaneous vehicles to 36, but captured thousands, and suffered 753 dead and 1,904 wounded to a confirmed 528 enemy dead, but had captured thousand and had thousands more defect. The lines of prisoners marched East matching the lines of trucks and IFVs racing West. A Brigade of RA Volunteers in the Black Uniforms had been detached to supervise the train of prisoners. They seemed vaguely confused by the speed of Ming's victory, but it was hardly suprising, this area had always been the heart of Communist Support. It was always going to fall quickly without heavy backup from Dyellian Divisions loyal to Soult...

The prisoner was marched into the Office by two Red Army privates. A middle aged Leean was seated behind a desk, writing very carefully in a note book. He wore a grey uniform and grey cap with blue piping, "You have betray your country." he didn't look up.

"I did not Comrade Commisaar." he looked hunted.

"You did not take up arms against the upstart Soult." he still did not look up, closing the book he was writing in and leafing through another, "You are a disgrace."

"Please Comrade Commisaar, I dod not know what to do." he pleaded.

"Sign here." he pushed the book and pen across the table.

The Prisoner blinked at the book and looked confused, then suddenly very relieved, becoming aware that the Commisaar was watching him now, "Thank you Comrade Commisaar...." he began.

The Commisaar held up a hand, "Don't thank me. Just remember why we have fought alongside the Dyellian people for so long. We must do our duty, for the people. I know you will do your duty Corporal. Long live the Revolution Comrade!"

The prisoner snapped to attention, "Long live the Revolution!"

Ming had been wiley enough to realise that the difference between being captured and defecting was often just a matter of timing. So he was screening the prisoners, those likely to defect, and there were many were being reallocated as reinforcements or broken up into new Batallions. They were separated from their own Batallion, welded into new ones with strangers some of whom were definitely loyal. They were put into Brigades alongside loyal Divisions and watched for treachery. he figured it was unlikely, but one couldn't be too careful...


High altitude recconaisance had been scanning the River Shin all day and reached an unpleasant conclusion. Far from capitulating the Provincial Government was making an attempt to resist, blowing all but one of the Bridges across which the remnants of the Army of New Dyelli was retreating.

It had to be taken.

It was midday. The sun was shining, a single Lancia 100 AA array was guarding the last Bridge, troops and a few refugees were still streaming across it. Lance-Corporal Hue was dozing in the radar trailer, his jacket over the back of his chair and helmet discarded lazily on the truck floor. Suddenly there was a beep. It took him a moment to register, then there was another, quickly he picked up his headset, putting it on, "You guys, I have 12 low flying aircraft and 8 high flying... IFF systems are pinging..." he swore, "Rebels! Do we have contact with any other Lancias?"

There was a few moments of silence, then, "Negative, we have nothing, were on our own, High or low?"

"Track low. They're close, must have snuck under the radar where the signal is weaker."

They didn't have long to wait, 12 aircraft were coming straight at them, behind him there were the roar of rockets... nothing disappeared from his screen, more rockets, one blip down, they were close now, very close.

There was silence, then the sounds of bullets hitting the ground, one tore through the trailer, leaving a gaping hole through the side, plowing into one of the radar screens. Hue threw himself backwards as the roar of the cannon reached him, trailing behind the supersonic rounds. Finally there was the roar of jet engines, then screaming, "Guys, are you there?"

Only static reached him, he opened the door of the trailer and stumbled out. The Lancia truck was a smoking ruin. Private Wei seemed to have somehow survived. There was blood streaming down from a cut to his forhead. Bodies lay all around, soldiers were picking themselves up from where they had flung themselves, "Bloody MiG!" someone yelled.

It took Hue a few moments to register exactly what he had said, then he was flinging himself forward, bearing the disorientated Wei to the ground, "Everyone get down!"

It was already too late of course. He could already here the patter of bullets from the second MiG as it roared in. Somewhere up ahead a truck's horn was stuck down. The roar of the guns and engines let up, Hue physically dragged Wei into the undergrowth and sat him down against a tree to look at the other man's injuries. They seemed fairly superficial, but he still seemed disorientated by the explosion, "Stay here."

Hue crept to the edge of the treeline, staring up into the sky. A Flogger insolently streamed over the carnage, crusing slowly, searching for more targets. He shuddered, they'd hit one, if those had been the more modern planes that would have been a lot less likely considering the warning they'd recieved. The eleven that were left were causing enough carnage.

He shuddered, the other planes must just about be arriving, he looked up, just in time to see the blossom of the first parachutes opening, and new without the slightest hint of doubt that the bridge over the Shin was about to fall.

It was a chaotic struggle. The Dyelli Beybian Army had never tried a parachute assault before. The troops landed scattered and disorganised, many were stuck in trees. The enemy were in chaos from the straffing runs, many had scattered into the undergrowth. It became a case of small group skirmishes in the jungle, the only real way to tell friend from foe the difference in sound between the SSA1801 and the AK74s the Paratroopers had been given. Within 2 hours though the Bridge was taken.

Alpha Company of the newly formed first Parachute Batallion had seen 21 of it's 170 soldiers killed and a further 32 wounded. It was crippled. The repeated strafing runs and combat in the woods had seen 78 Government troops killed, 12 vehicles destroyed and 132 prisoners taken, including a Corporal Hue and Private Wei. One MiG was shot down. 45 Civilians had been killed in the crossfire and another 73 wonded. But the Bridge was taken. Ming could push on.

Drakata, Capital of the Dracun Imperium
The Supreme Prophet Sedo had barely been named so before a piece of information had reached his ears. A civil war was full blown in a nation that seemed to capable of both great and horrible things. He prayed to the Goddess for guidance the night before and then called his 1st Council of Prophets. He knew this would be important for many reasons most notably it would set the precedent for foreign policy.

Within two hours the Council of Prophets had gathered and Sedo sat on a raised altar with the image of the Goddess above. They were all briefed on the situation and they knew that either way the Imperium was about to commit forces.

Sedo spoke calmly as he began to tell the council what he thought, "My brothers and sisters a day ago I heard reports of a civil war in the nation of Dyelli Beybi. This is a nation of great potential for both noble and terrifying actions. We must insure it is the noble side that wins this war at all costs. In the reports given to you, you have all seen that the government's military is having mass defections. The army if this Royal Alliance is moving incredibly fast and apparently has the support of the people. It is for that reason that this Alliance be given the support of the Imperium because it is the will of the people that they win..."

One of the council woman spoke up, "Your Eminence, forgive me for my interruption," Sedo nodded and did not show any anger so she continued, "This alliance also contains elements of a communist party, do we really want to support them?"

Sedo spoke with a tone of understanding, "M'lady, the people get what they want. This group of communist is not the standard stereotyped group either. They seemed true to their ideals and I believe that in the end it will work out... I called this council to inform you of my descion for the Goddess has given me her blessing. Mobilize the armed forces, I want us prepared for everything."

The council as per usual prayed to the Goddess and then left to go to their duties leaving Sedo alone I hope this is what the Goddess wants.

OOC: Going to post a message later, just going to give time for my troops to mobilize and such.

[Encrypted Message]

To: Royal Alliance Rebel Movement
From: Krieta Tactical Development INC

Recently we got a message from Avisronite military intelligence saying they had a job for us in your little war. Right now we're just a starter company looking to make a name for ourselves by flying around and blowing shit up. Right now we have access to vast variation in aircraft. Can we get some details on the types of missions expected of us in your nation? Would we be flying air superiority or what? What kind of planes would we be up against?

[END MESSAGE]

[Airspace Above Warzone]

The GYT-09 "Christine" Tactical Delivery System was one of the most closely guarded secrets in the Avisronite Department of Defense. The aircraft, which resembled some of the UFO's reported around the world, was infact simply the product of decades of highly intelligent engineering, plus a few crashes, coupled with some luck.

Taking off from a hidden military base in Northwest Avisron, the large and triangular aircraft had flown using its conventional turbofan system to a point above a vast ocean. Having the Avisronite Air National Guard channel civilian traffic away from the area, its crew was free to operate without the chance of someone getting too close and reporting them.

The aircraft then, after getting somewhat near its destination of Dyelli Beybi, activated the true gem of its engineering. The Electro-Kinetic engine propelled the aircraft to an unbelievably high altitude, one above an altitude at which it could be discovered by cheap, last-generation RADAR technology - must less engaged.

After leveling off and stabilizing its position, the aircraft started its mission of precision, High Altitude Transport. Its underside doors slid open and its cargo, consisting completely of High-Endurance MRE's, fell to the earth. As they neared the surface, parachutes would open and move them all to the ground safely and semi-close together.

[OOC: I know that we didn't like, discuss a place to drop the things off at, but I didn't want to have another message exchange because I'm going to be busy and needed to take advantage of the time I have tonight. So just assume they landed at a fairly secure opening in the woods away from the fighting. Also, the message at the top of the post is from the secretly military backed mercenary agency.]

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE

To Pierre Soult I

On further consideration of the situation in Dyelli Beybi, the Imperium has revised its offers slightly. Not only will we assist your government in the methods we previously described, but it is the opinion of the High Command that direct military intervention may be a valid option, to a degree.

For instance, if you were to give us the location of a gathering of the Red scum, we would be happy to send a flight of aircraft in to, as the saying goes, "fuck their shit up". This option in particular appeals to us. Or, possibly, we could send in a team from the Intelligence Division to remove selected members of the Communist power structure. To a limited degree, due to the deployment of over two thousand warships to Southeast Asia and some thousands more in reserve for that same purpose, we could even send naval/air forces to be ready at all times to destroy the Communist threat wherever it masses.

In essence, short of deploying massive fleets and armies in your nation, we are willing and able to help break the Bolshevik rats by any means possible, not merely financial and material aid.

Darian Aurelius, Minister of Foreign Affairs

OOC: Do whatever you like Dracun... the more in depth the story is the better.

Encryption: High
From: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I
To: Darian Aurelius, Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Warmasters

While your confidence gives you credit, we feel it may be somewhat misguided. Assassinating Key members of the Royal Alliance is an idea that has been toyed with, if it were possible, we would do it. There are no better scouts and snipers in Klatch than you will find in the Dyelli Beybi, unfortunately this also means that you will rarely find security as tight as you will here. However, we have got a rough location of the so called Tzarina. We do not have the troops to dedicate to prizing her out of her rocky lair, however if you have troops you feel may be up to the task you may certainly attempt it.

We also thank you for the offer of money, at this stage in proceeding we have no need of a loan, however if the situation becomes more dire we will gladly take it.

As for the offered flight, we would appreciate if it were moved to a Station at the Artois air base. It would be an obvious assett in the air campaign, however we would naturally wish to launch it only in conjunction with a concerted Government air assault, so as not to waste it.

Finally we wish to offer a friendly warning before entering the sector... do not expect to be dealing with a rag tag band of peasants who have just been taught which end of a rifle the bullet comes out of then shoved into combat. The enemy are highly trained, highly experienced and have strong morale and good equipment.

Yours with the greatest respect,
Tania Fradkov


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

An interesting development on the front, which would not be immediately apparent to everyone was that there now seemed to be a stable enough HQ for the Generals themselves to reply to communications, rather than relaying it all through the Embassy in Port Olympus


Encryption: High
From: General Eugene Ming, Red Army HQ
To: Krieta Tactical Development INC

We had not been informed of your arrival, however the Royal Alliance is glad for any help it may recieve. As you probably are not aware, the Airforce in the Province of New Dyelli was not issued with quite the same quality of aircraft as those in the Djel Valley. It is those we are currently capturing, giving our own Airforce a number of MiG29s and MiG27s although we also have access to the Su25K, Su30 and Su32 and MiG31. New Dyelli has used exclusively Russian aircraft designs for ease of maintenance.

Soult's squadrons will mostly be made up of the Panavia Tornado and Eurofighter Typhoon and Mirage 2000. Squadrons from East Benjia will almost certainly be MiG29 or Su25K. Soult also has a fleet of Tu-22M and Tu-160 bombers in the Djel Valley.

We hope this is informative to you, and await the arrival of your Squadrons.

General Eugene Ming,
Red Army


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

The atmosphere in the dugout was festive. Pak Lee watched a small group of Dyellians with an acordion whirling around and performing some very impressive high kicks. He had originally been unamused by their inclusion under his command, but he had grown to respect them. They had fought well that morning...

They had once again had the element of suprise. Brigadier Pak Lee's men were to spearhead the assault on Hill 014 on the East side of Axe pass. They disembarked from the trucks some miles North, shortly before dawn. The 1st Volunteer Batallion was to stand on the right flank, with the newly formed Dyellian Vounteer Batallion on the left. Behind them would advance the HQ, followed by the Kondor Batallion and finally the South Vrakian Volunteer Batallion forming the rear guard.

In the dim light the troops spread out. Pak Lee watched the Dyellians. Their uniform was different. Baggy black trousers tucked into calf high boots, a baggy black shirt, belted at the waist that was nevertheless tight on the cuffs and collar, and a simple steel helmet, blackened, of course. He didn't trust them not to break which was why they were on the left. Any attack on the line should hit the right hand side first.

The undergrowth was thick as the platoons spread out and began to push their way towards the sumit. It was heavy going. Dawn began to creep across the land as the troops laboured up the slope. Lee stopped on a small rise, scanning the area. There appeared to be an East Benjian Army barrack in the valley, which made little sense, why in the Valley and not on the hills? He scanned the crest of the hill again, spotting nothing.

"Sir!" an officer from the staff was pointing back into the Valley.

Lee trained his binoculars on the valley. The barracks were abuzz with activity. With a start he realised his troops' movements had been spotted, "Radio all platoons." he called to the HQ Radio opperator, "Tell them to get a move on."

It was a race to the summit. There appeared to be easily a whole Brigade of Benjians, his forces were matched man for man. They were loading up into IFVs... that might prove decisive.

The Benjians split, two Battalions heading straight up with another two circling around the back of the hill. Lee had studied photographs of the area, there was a road around the back.

10 minutes later and he could hear gunfire. The 1st Volunteers were engaging the Benjians advancing up the slope. Lee couldn't see what was going on, only hear what was being sent back by radio. It seemed to be chaos. There weren't enough rockets to deal with the IFVs, there were too many vehicles. The Batallion was pinned down and surrounded. He shook his head, they couldn't be surrounded, he was at his rear, someone was panicking, he needed to get higher, to see what was going on. The messages were unclear.

Smoke was rising lower from where the First were engaged, but Lee took the HQ group angling leftwards up slope towards the Dyellians. As he got higher he could indeed see the First Volunteers were being attacked from two sides, outgunned, they were nevertheless more or less standing their ground, taking cover where they could. They must be close to breaking though... A bullet whizzed overhead. Lee ignored it, "Radio Kondor to come to assist the First Volunteers."

"Yessir." the radioman began to give the orders.

Lee looked down the way he had come, he could see Kondor, but there was no sign of the South Vrakians. He searched for them further and further down the slope, finally he made out a few of them far, way off in the distance. It would easily take them 30 minutes to get into the battle, by which stage it would probably be decided. Suddenly all hell broke loose above Lee. The Benjians had reached the summit, at the same time as the Dyellians. They were exchanging gunfire at point blank range. There was little cover, the Dyellians dropped back to the edge of the summit, while the Benjians fell back behind their vehicles leaving a tangle of dead and wounded between. There was a sudden explosion and pillar of smoke, followed quickly by another. A Kornet team had managed to set up among some rocks and was causing chaos among the IFVs.

"Come on." he yelled to the HQ Squad, "Let's push them back."

The Dyellians were taking a pounding though, and for all the encouragement in the world, didn't look likely to advance. A man came tumbling down from above Lee, crashing into a Bush where he lay very still, his helmet bouncing down the hill. Another explosion sounded... a third IFV was down, but it wasn't enough, bullets were whipping into the rocks where the Kornet team were placed. If they still lived, they were hiding. Then the Benjians charged.

They came in a rush from behind their vehicles, small dark people, yelling murder as they came. A few carried Katanas on their belts, and by the looks of them, knew how to use the blades. Lee drew his pistol firing into the oncoming horde. A few Dyellians fired back, but most had been hiding from the hail of gunfire coming from the turrets of the IFVs and didn't have time to react.

Moments later the Benjians reached the crest, firing into the cowering defenders, leaping down the slope to club at them with their rifle butts or slash with their swords. Yet the Dyellians did not break. Outnumbered and in a bad position they fought back.

It was viscious fighting, Lee fired at a man who was leveling a rifle at him, kneeling behind a bush which offered at least an illusion of cover. A bullet in the skull took down a Captain from the Staff, who had been guarding his Brigadier's back. Lee couldn't remember his name, although he had been a jolly enough companion.

Three Benjians were rushing him from the right now, he turned in time to shoot one in the gut. Another fell back as a rifle bullet plowed into his collar bone. The third, suddenly outgunned leaped behind cover.

Lee slithered down the slope, sliding behind a rock. There was a Dyellian there too, a girl with pretty dark eyes and delicate Dyellian features. In better times he might have admired her, or tried to ask her out, but at the moment he was scanning for Benjians. Mutely she pointed towards a fairly innocuous looking rock.

Lee understood, nodding. He slipped down the slope a little more and began to circle the spot. The Benjian spotted him first, coming up on one knee in what seemed a heartbeat. The girl fired a three round burst, the Benjian screamed and fell back. It was good shooting.

Lee trotted back and dropped down beside her. He noticed as he stopped to gather his breath that she had picked up a nasty gash across her left arm. He hadn't noticed before, it looked like a bullet had just grazed her at some point. It was bleeding badly, "You'll need to get that looked at." he motioned to the wound.

"Yeah, it hurts like hell." she gasped through gritted teeth, "But now isn't the right time."

"Have a radio on you?"

"Shoulder strap of my pack." she growled, "Where they always are... Sir."

Her tone was surly, typically Dyellian, but right now Lee admired the fire in her eyes. It was the fire that had kept this Batallion standing in a position where most would have fled. The Dyellians were an odd people, he didn't quite understand what motivated them. Sometimes they were abject cowards, sometimes completely unbreakable.

"I think we should retreat." Lee spoke to her softly as he pulled the radio out of the shoulder pouch, it was a little File radio, nothing like the big radio the Brigade Communication team carried. Where was the Brigade Radio man?

"This is Brigadier Pak Lee, do you read me? Over."

"This is Corporal Alexis Jones, reading you loud and clear Sir. Over" came the reply.

"Corporal Jones, radio Batallion HQ, sound the retreat. Over."

There was silence for a moment, "Begging your pardon Sir, but the Benjians are in retreat. Over."

It seemed impossible, but they had won. One moment they were outnumbered, backs against the wall, and next the enemy was in retreat. Later on Pak Lee would discover that the Eighth Volunteer Brigade had been sighted on Hill 015, and realising that they were hoplessly outnumbered, the Benjians had fallen back. The Benjians had lost seven IFVs, 157 dead and 253 captured, mostly wounded. The First Volunteers had lost 70 men with a further 117 wounded, the Dyellians had lost 116 with 197 more wounded, nearly half their number, Kondor had suffered 21 dead and 52 wounded, 2 had died from HQ. But the Hill was taken. The victory was Phyrric, but it was a victory nonetheless. Had the Benjians been on the hill to start with, things would have been much worse, but for reasons known only to them they had never garrisoned the heights.

[Encrypted]
To: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I
From: The Imperial Nicksyllvanian Armed Forces Supreme Command

The 458th Mechanized Infantry Division shall arrive within 72 hours. We will also be sending a Jungle Infantry Brigade of 1,800 men to assist in rooting out the Communists from the Jungles.

We also have a wide variety of Defoliants should they be required and will be made available upon request.



To: General ap Adam, Royal Alliance Forces
From: The Imperial Nicksyllvanian Supreme Authoritate of Foreign Affairs

Nobility does not come from blood, but by strength of will and character. Your "legitimate" royalty has not only shown failure to grasp proper control of your nation, but has allied itself with Communists and assisted in paving the way for insidious communist activities to spread to the free world.
Our Great Emperor and Generalissmo did not gain his stature through birth, but by driving out the evil corrupted politicians that plagued and hindered our nation with its corruption and proceeded to unite our Island continent.

At Port Olympus, Princess Gabrielle, Regent of remaining New Shiron territories located in the FKC, monitored events.

Dyelli Byebi was having yet another civil war, which meant once again foreigners with agendas would be interferring.

As a precaution, she ordered the 11th Fleet, consisting of 12 cruisers, 3 carriers, 72 corvettes and 12 misc support ships to move a standing patrol over the FKC to provide defense against any foreign ballistic missiles, and all ground based orbital fighters at Gordan Bay to maintain standing patrols as well.

FKC High Command, still under the authority of FKC Defense Minister Matt Ridgeway (a New Shironi) was naturally notified.

The factions involved in the fighting in Dyelli Byebi are notified of New Shironi movements and actions and the promise that New Shiron will not interfere as long as no widespread use of weapons of mass destruction occurs.

ooc
New Shiron is not located on planet, but a number of light years away, and is future tech, but not outlandishly so. As a future tech nation it will not interfer in Dyelli Byebi, but also will not allow the use of weapons of mass destruction on FKC soil. New Shiron is a member nation of the FKC, as is Dyelli Byebi.

Hopefully this will also keep anyone from tossing around ballistic missiles should it come to it

Message to Royal Alliance High Command
From Supreme Prophet Sedo Eternus
Leader of the Dracun People
Your plight is known and we promise you our support however we wish to make it well known that we will not tolerate any government that oppresses the citizens they are promising to help. We hope that you use your power that will soon be upon you wisely, respect all the natural rights all humans have and remember the anger you feel towards your current “leader” before making any decisions that may affect your people.

We have prepared a large force to assist in your campaign and we will give anything you require, ask we beg of you for we will not refuse.

Official Declaration of Support for The Royal Alliance
Under guidance from the Goddess herself, Supreme Prophet Sedo Eternus gives the support of the Imperium to the Royal Alliance Forces within Dyelli Beybi. Our support is not limited in any way and should the Royal Alliance Forces request it, we will give it. Elements of the Grand Navy of The Imperium and the Air Force have been mobilized to transport supplies and manpower to the battlefields of Dyelli Beybi. Should any nation wish to initiate hostilities with the Imperium they shall feel our wrath.

The current government which is extremely unpopular with its people has twenty four hours to step down. If the despised government fails to heed our calls the Imperium shall launch an offensive against this government. The forces of the Imperium are already well on their way to begin landing at Dyelli Beybi. We repeat; stand down or face the glorious men and women of the Dracun Armed Forces.

We hereby recognize the Czarina as the current and only ruler of Dyelli Beybi. This is your only chance save the country you claim to represent. Do the right thing or you will have the blood of innocents on your hands.

Dracun Military Installations Throughout The Country
Thousands of troops were suiting up for the conflict and though they had yet to be battle tested their grueling training should level the playing field. In total there were 150,000 Marines, 80,000 Standard Infantry and countless more troops ready for the war that was about to overtake them.

At several air bases the "Falling Angels" were boarding their air transports to take them to Dyelli Beybi. They were the Paratroopers of the Imperium; trained to the extremes as they were called upon in almost every conflict in modern Dracun history to be the first ones in. Within an hour they would receive their co-ordinates for flight and their accompanying drop zones.

Ten Amphibious Assault Carriers were being fueled for the conflict as were their Standard Carrier Counter parts. The Marines boarded their respected ships as much as they could. The AACs wouldn't hold all of the Marines but, a good enough portion to attack any beach the High Command wishes. Dozens of destroyers, frigates, cruisers and logistical ships were conducting extensive exercises as it was well known many other nations were getting involved as time was continued. This was part of the 1st taskforce under the command of Admiral Tiberius Ohn. Though the 1st taskforce would be participating directly in the war, several others were on high alert around the Imperium Isle ready to be deployed to Dyelli Beybi. Tiberius had already sent several submarines of different classes ahead to pave the way for a coming Dracun Assault.

As promised merchant ships were being loaded up to the maximum carrying supplies of various uses to the Royal Alliance; among them were several dozen M-1 Abram tanks which would be given free of charge to the Alliance. They would have their own escort fleet that was separate of the 1st task force but, they would all be under Tiberius' command who commanded the fleet from his flagship, Loyalty.

Though the forces of the Imperium seemed well prepared for war everyone within the country was hoping that the now "unrecognized" government of Dyelli Beybi would heed the calls to step down and more lives would be spared.

The Nicksyllvanian Empire hereby condemns the Dracun Imperium for interferring in what should be a domestic affair, in order to set up a puppet government to conform to their twisted fanatical religious ways.

Should the Dracun Imperium escalate this conflict, the Nicksyllvanian Empire vows to give complete military support to the righteous Greater Empire of Dyelli Beybi which includes a mobilization of 150,000 to 5,000,000 soldiers should it be required as well as a declaration of war where your homeland will be a valid target. These measures will be effective immediately should the Dracun Imperium procede with their demands.

The Great, Glorious, Righteous Emperor, Nicholas M. Sawatsky
The Supreme Comrade Generalissmo, Nicholas M. Sawatsky

Message to: The Seriously Ignorant and Imperialistic Emperor "Nicky"
From: The Dracun Imperium
Subject: Your ignorance

It amazes me that such ignorant fools still rule nations. Well we pray you are ignorant and that you are not as foolish [to put nicely] as the message makes you out to be. Your claims of us being religious zealots that want to set up a puppet government are completely unfounded and nothing more than words to make the proud government of the Imperium look like the imperialists your government is obviously made up of.

Your condemnation does not matter to us because we don't honestly care what such a pathetic government such as the one you run, has to say. That seems to be the problem with the international community, they care too much for protocol and because of it the right thing to do is forgotten and with it the people of the world. We will not forget the people of Dracun and we will not forget the people of the world as you have apparently done.

Your "soldiers" can come, let them come. Let them attempt to take the Imperium's land, let me them come and die for a war that their trigger happy government has started because they want to show muscle they don't have. We may be a people who treasure peace over war but, I assure you "Nicky" war is no stranger to us.

Now if this is a domestic affair as you say it is, keep it within Dyelli Beybi or you do nothing but, prove yourself a man who twists words to his liking and I have no respect for such men. If you dare attempt an invasion of the Imperium I assure you the war shall soon be fought within your capital streets and you will be captured and we'll figure something out that suits a man of your vices.

The Ultimatum Still and Will Continue to Stand

Signed,
Supreme Prophet Sedo Eternus

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE

To His Majesty Pierre Soult

Excellent. As for our offer of pinpoint assassination: again, the Imperium unfortunately cannot send troops to Dyelli Beybi in the numbers needed to dig out a paranoid pretender like the Tzarina seems to be. Secondly, regarding the funds granted to you: this is no loan. We do not ask you to pay it back; any government that would extort a profit from those on the front line of the war against Communism is no better than the Reds themselves.

Finally, we accept your terms; we have taken the liberty of launching the group that we have designated Air Armada Klatch, consisting of a number of fighters, bombers, tankers, AWACS craft, etc. The complete numbers are below. Blood and Honor.

Darian Aurelius, Minister of Foreign Affairs

OOC: Numbers for Air Armada Klatch

1,680 F/A-104 Balefires
1,200 A-10 Thunderbolts
720 Behemoth heavy bombers
12 B-6 Paladin stealth bombers
480 AH-166 Twilight helicopter gunships
24 KC-142 tankers
36 Thunderbird AWACS planes
180 C-5 Galaxy transport planes
Plus associated personnel (no combatants)

"She will kill you." Fradkov insisted.

The Emperor clutched the letter tightly, growling under his breath. It had arrived an hour ago. A challenge to single combat by the Tzarina... it had also been released publically...

With the obvious fact that we will never see eye to eye on the course Dyelli Beybi should take in the near future, I, Alexia ap Adam do challenge the so called Emperor Pierre Soult to a duel with sword to be held in the city of Fasta, South-West Benjia.

I sincerely hope that this will allow us to minimise further bloodshed.

Yours,
Alexia ap Adam


"She's a little girl." Soult pointed out, he'd pointed this out over and over again, "Just a little girl, the people love this kind of ridiculous bravery, it's exactly what they expect from a leader, I have to accept."

"She's also had Cheka training." Fradkov pointed out, as she had time and time again, "Your 'little girl' is a trained killer. If you will excuse the implications, you Sir, aren't exactly 'fit'."

Soult was indeed somewhat overweight, he shot the Head of Intelligence an angry glance, "Well what should I do."

She shrugged, Tania Fradkov had had enough of the increasingly peevish Emperor, "She's outfoxed you on this one. No doubt this is an idea from her jolly Ambassador in Port Olympus. You can accept, in which case you can expect to end up with a sword in your belly, or you can decline in which case people will assume you are a coward. You're damned either way."

Soult was damned anyway. He'd overthrown a democratically elected Government. Now the former Government was back with a Tzarina in tow.

"Why can't we just have her shot or something?" he grumbled.

"Do you remember the Cheka before the Civil War? Half our opperatives fled to Moskau with Felix, one out of five sided with Vladimir, one out of ten were killed or disappeared, that leaves us at 20% strength and half of those are leaking information to Vladimir. The Intelligence service is in disarray, and even if it wasn't she's one of us, she isn't some stupid politician."

Soult nodded silently, looking slightly deflated, "OK, well it's a blow, we'll recover. Opperation Serpent will go ahead, then we'll have them on the back foot militarily. We have to beat Ming, if we can beat him even once, then his aura of invincibility will be shattered."

Ming. Nobody had even known the name a month ago, now it struck terror into the hearts of Soult's administration. He couldn't be stopped. New Dyelli was on the verge of surrender.

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

Sheffield Pass 0600 hours

"We're taking a hammering, Air support! Air support!"

Major General Fitzherbert was in a panic, Soult had assured him the Sheffield pass from the Djel Valley to East Benjia was clear. It wasn't. A mile into the pass and rockets had come screaming down from the cliffs to plow into the flanks of his column. It was carnage. They had waited till the front of the column was past, then opened fire on the unsuspecting middle section. The tanks just didn't have the elevation to return fire on the Kornets firing out of the rocky outcrops on either side of the Pass. The 81st Tank Brigade that had made up the van was trying to find a way to loop around and take the enemy position from the flank, but the hills were too steep and the ground treacherous.

Infantry were disembarking as the tanks pulled back leaving a trail of smoking wrecks. A soldier collapsed, "Sniper!" someone yelled.

Then they were all taking cover among the wrecks, hiding from the unseen enemy on the cliff faces. It was a disaster. Then, thankfully, a Sukhoi, an Su25 appeared, there was a roar from the chaingun as it strafed the Northern cliff. The rebels seemed to be withdrawing. Soult would of course call this a Victory, Fitzherbert mused as he watched the soldiers picking themselves up and dusting themselves off. Whereas in fact it had been a humiliating bloodening by RA fighters caused by a lack of Intelligence work by Soult.

Now the grim task of counting and identifying the dead could begin...

(OOC: More to follow)

Soult's 'Artois Airbase' did not have the facilities for so many planes. Yet he wasn't about to turn any support away. Planes were being haphazardly diverted to different Airfields across the country.

A harassed looking Warrant Officer with a check list was looking for whoever was in charge at the Artois Airbase. Apparently he needed to get specifications for the Aircraft the Dyellians weren't familiar with.

He then showed them the Lancia-100 truck which was the backbone of the Dyellian Armed forces and coincidentally the Red Army. It was a truck, it pulled a trailer with a radar array. There was one large missile on the back as well as a rack of 20 smaller ones. The trailer also had a stack missiles and colour coded warheads... Apparently if they really wanted to, they could change the warheads for anti-armour and use the truck as an MLRS system, although it's primary function was AA support...

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

Soult was doggedly ignoring the Dracun Empire and it's threats. The Royal Alliance on the other hand was not.

Encryption: High
From: General ap Adam, Royal Alliance
To: Supreme Prophet Sedo Eternus, Dracun Imperium

Considering the nature of your offer and the ultimatum given to Soult, I felt it to be propper to commuinicate personally with you, rather than to send a message via the Ambassador in Port Olympus.

You may or may not be aware that the Hierachy of the Red Faction, while obviously made up mostly of Communist/Socialist elements, are the very same people who were previously the Government and Opposition Parties of the former Democratically elected Government. In truth Dyelli Beybi is unique in all the mainstream political bodies pursuing very left wing economic policies. The main difference between the parties being in matters of foreign policy, with the NSWP being more isolationist and the PRP more interventionist, with the Communist Party sitting somewhere in the middle. This scarecely matters now, although I personally find it to be of the greatest importance in the justification for this war. The will of the people is paramount.

We would gladly and humbly request from you, military aid, particularly in Air Support. On the ground our military is more than holding it's own, however we are vulnerable in the air.

Our grand strategy is to avoid Naval Engagements. Replacing the Fleet would be a costly exercise, and is unnecessary. To the East of the Klatchain Continent, in the area formerly known as the Terran Sphere, there exists a Federal Controlled zone. Soult will not attempt to enter this area for fear of stiring up the wrath of the JDF (Joint Defence Force of Klatch), however, transports can happily enter the area as these will not be seen as a threat by the JDF... we can then ensure that the Road remains open for your troops to enter into New Dyelli from the West.

It is our expectation that the next President of the Klatchian Federation will be a supporter of our cause which may bring this war to a very rapid and favourable conclusion.

It is my deepest wish to be given the opportunity to meet with the Ambassador of your Nation before we embark on this great endeavour. If this is acceptable to you, we will organise a landing zone in friendly territory.

Yours with the greatest respect,
General Alexia ap Adam
Tzarina of Dyelli Beybi (OOC: You'll note the Dyellians spell it with a T just to be difficult ;))

Message released to international press and the various governments

Official JDF notice to shipping
FKC waters are closed to foreign warships at this time. Any foreign (non FKC or Ilik Vaad) warship that does not have JDF clearance that approaches the coast of Dyelli Byelli without permission from the JDF will be fired upon. Merchant shipping however may operate as usual. Unarmed military vessels may also operate as usual.

Armed military aircraft are similarly prohibited.

signed
Matthew Ridgeway, Minister of Defense, FKC, Port Olympus

Meanwhile, all available JDF warships are ordered to assemble and then proceed to patrol positions.

ooc
using Galveston Bay for JDF posts, and New Shiron for New Shiron posts

Encryption: none
From: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador to Port Olympus
To: Matthew Ridgeway, Minister of Defense, FKC, Port Olympus
Subject: Foreign Air Assetts

Obviously it is the intention of the Royal Alliance to cooperate fully with the JDF, however I cannot help but notice that the Forces of General Soult have already landed a sizeable 'Air Armada' from the nation known as 'The Warmasters'.

As a concerned citizen as well as Ambassador I feel this is a potential Imperialistic threat. I hope and trust that in these difficult times the JDF will not sit idly by and allow this flouting of Federal Authority.

Yours with the greatest respect,
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky

A telegram sent from Premier Siudzin.

To Vladimir Dzerzhinsky and Red Faction revolutionaries STOP

You have the People's Republic of Sovistan's support in your struggle against the corrupt regime of Pierre Soult STOP We have plentiful supplies of small arms and ammunition stockpiled should you require aid STOP If you have need of them, give us the location of a safe airfield for delivery STOP We may also be willing to send a small force of infantry to assist you, should you require it STOP

Sincerely, Premier Siudzin STOP

Encryption: none
From: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador to Port Olympus
To: Premier Siudzin of Sovistan
Subject: Air Assets

As the Ambassador for the Royal Alliance compromising the NSWP, PRP, Communist Party (Collectively Red Faction) as well as the forces of the Tzarina Alexia ap Adam, I would be more than glad to accept the most gracious offer from Sovistan of military aid.

However, due to JDF demands that no foreign military aicraft should enter Klatchian air space, I regretfully must ask that Sovistan deliver such supplies and troops via unarmed transport vessels to the Terran Sphere Coast where they can be moved by road to New Dyelli.

yours with the greatest respect
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky


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

The news was circulating around Brigade A of the 2nd Royal Alliance Division (as was the new name for Brigadier Pak Lee's force). Desagradavel was in negotiations with General Ming. The Province was effectively surrendering.

The Batallion of Dyellians, or what was left of it had of course got roaringly drunk in their dugouts. Pak Lee had allowed it. Let them celebrate.

Brigade A had dug in on hill 014, Brigade B on hill 015 and Brigade C in the valley between the two, while Brigade D was being held in reserve. They had recieved a Lancia Batallion earlier that day, which had spread out across the valley, digging the trucks in behind earth embankments. they also had 12 Squadrons providing air cover and running recconaisance. Confidence was high.

He walked along the trenchline now, making sure the sentries were keeping a good watch, occasionally talking to one of the black clad soldiers. One soldier he noticed wasn't keeping watch, a floppy cap captured off a dead Benjian pulled down over her face. She was a Dyellian, they weren't on duty tonight. He was about to walk past, but noticed the bandage on her left arm. Instead he sat down next to her, "Hello Private."

There was a scramble as she suddenly became aware that an officer was next to her, "No don't get up." Lee waved her back down, "I wanted to say thank you for yesterday. You saved my life, twice."

She looked at him, clearly at a loss as to what to say to that, eventually venturing, "You're welcome Sir."

"I didn't quite catch your name Private...?"

"Simms." she replied, " Private Henrietta Simms, Sir."

"Hmm." Lee nodded, "Your Batallion took heavy losses, I imagine there will be room for a few Corporals... in fact I could do with one in HQ."

He paused, looking at the astonished but pleased young woman, "I'll speak to your C.O."

She was good luck Pak Lee decided, smart, a survivor... and pretty as well.

"Sir?" she asked tentatively.

He raised an eyebrow, and she continued, he noted that as the fire of battle had dropped away from her so had the attitude, "Pardon me for asking, but do you know when we're leaving here, only this pass seems the most sensible route for us to advance through now that Ming has taken New Dyelli."

Lee shrugged, "Who knows what they are up to in HQ, they still need to get the formalities over with, then I guess he will head down here. I imagine we'll be reorganised. Your Brigade, I imagine, will be pulled back from the front line until it's up to fighting strength again."

She looked crest fallen, an untypically bloodthirsty woman... he grinned, "You're with HQ remember? That doesn't include you."

Miles to the South a Su32 roared across the East Benjian countryside, flying high above the land, above the range of all but the large missiles the Lancias packed, and it was far too nimble to get hit by one of those lumbering behemoths. Beneath it the road snaked South. For this mission it had been given a high resolution camera to spy on what was moving down below... and there was movement. Lots of movement, it seemed to the weapons officer as he peered into the screen, that the road was alive with Soult's Army, a whole Division he estimated, marching North, North to Axe Pass.

Encription: High
From: Office of The President of City 67
To: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky (Red Faction)
City 67 wishes to encourage the spread of democracy and freedom throughout the land and wishes to bring a swift end to this brutal conflict. City 67 therefore offers the support of its armed forces along with the offer to assist in the reconstruction of your great nation post conflict.

Encryption: none
From: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador to Port Olympus
To: Matthew Ridgeway, Minister of Defense, FKC, Port Olympus
Subject: Foreign Air Assetts

Obviously it is the intention of the Royal Alliance to cooperate fully with the JDF, however I cannot help but notice that the Forces of General Soult have already landed a sizeable 'Air Armada' from the nation known as 'The Warmasters'.

As a concerned citizen as well as Ambassador I feel this is a potential Imperialistic threat. I hope and trust that in these difficult times the JDF will not sit idly by and allow this flouting of Federal Authority.

Yours with the greatest respect,
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky

Mr. Dzerzhinsky,
Intelligence analysts assure me that these are merely obsolescent aircraft being ferried over by contract employees as part of a lease agreement. Granted, these intelligence analysts are from your country, but without any other information, I am forced to accept that analysis at this time.

Sincerely,
Matthew Ridgeway

ooc
using informal address as the FKC isn't recognizing either side officially yet, until at least some instructions come from the Keys or President

Within the palace Sedo sat with the military commanders of the Imperium working out strategies as more and more updates came in. An order had gone out to hold Imperium forces till further notice. This left many confused as the Dyelli Beybi Emperor hadn't even responded to the Dracun ultimatum which was supposed to bring Dracun into the conflict. Unknown to the public Sedo didn't want to launch a full blown war with an entire region. The region Dyelli Beybi resided in had ordered no armed aircraft to enter the region and consequences would follow if someone sent them in especially since the Alliance needed them.

"... We'll send Prophet Adrienne as our ambassador to the Alliance, inform her that she will be leaving at the end of the day," Sedo ordered to one of his many servants, "As for The message it says we need clearance; can we get any?" Sedo asked.

Prophet Revan was the only Prophet present and that was because he was Sedo's diplomatic advisor and considering how young Sedo was he needed much advice in such matters, "The best we can do is try and the only way we could get this clearance is if we get this FKC to officially side with the Alliance. If we get this clearance it will not only allow us to send weapons in but, it will bring other nations into the conflict on the Alliance's side."

Sedo leaned back in his chair, "Okay open communications with them try to convince them to either join in or grant us passage; either shall be satisfactory."

Revan nodded, "It will be done..."

Admiral Tiberius who was there via television-connection spoke up, "That's all good your eminence however what about our troops? They can't stay in these ships forever? And the supplies?"

The Supreme Prophet turned to Tiberius' image and let out a sigh, "I know, I know... set sail. Do not enter their waters nor commence any offensive operations. Fire only if fired upon; the supply ships are unarmed so they can be accomplish their missions."

Tiberius looked annoyed, "So basically you are committing a task force to escort duty?"

Sedo looked directly into Tiberius' eyes and calmly responded, "Since when is anything that simple Admiral?"

Realizing that their was a greater plan in the works and that it was not his place to question the Supreme Prophet the Admiral gave a nod of his head to acknowledge understanding.

"Let us pray for guidance and the safety of those who might very well be in combat all to soon."

Official Statement
The Imperium recognizes the demand to not enter national boundaries with any armed craft; only our supply ships will continue forward. Our naval forces shall sit far from your boundaries and will serve only as a quick-response team to any threat that may strike the supply ships. They have been ordered to respect the sovereignty of all nations in the area.

[OOC: Dyelli: My Ambassador is going to arrive soon assuming she still can?

Once the message came through, Premier Siudzin immediately gave the order for 5,000 small arms and 45,000 rounds of ammunition to be taken out of the wharehouses and loaded onto transport planes for transport, along with 250 infantry. He was glad that he could be forging a valuable alliance, but also because he'd managed to shift a part of the nation's gargantuan surplus of cheap, lo-tech weapons created by the enormous industrial sector that powered the nation's economy.

------

Elsewhere in Roscov, men were busy hauling crates of AK47's and PK light machineguns to the waiting convoy of 8 planes. It was hard work, and the claustraphobic gasmasks they had to wear outside were uncomfortable and sweaty, despite the cold weather.

Soldiers were also being loaded into the aircraft, most of them fresh recruits who'd only undergone rudimentary training. They too wore gasmasks.

The convoy would be ready to move in a few hours, under an escort of just 4 MiG-21s, all Sovistan could spare of its tiny airforce. They had orders to abandon the convoy an hour before they reached the target, so as not to offend the JDF.

------

To: Vladimir Dzerzhinsky, Royal Alliance Ambassador to Port Olympus

We understand completely STOP Supplies and troops en route within hours STOP Inventory: 4500 AK-47 ARs 500 PK LMGs 45000 Rnds Ammunition STOP 250 light infantry STOP Good Luck, more aid will be forthcoming as required STOP

Premier Siudzin
People's Republic of Sovistan

Message released to international press and the various governments

Official JDF notice to shipping
FKC waters are closed to foreign warships at this time. Any foreign (non FKC or Ilik Vaad) warship that does not have JDF clearance that approaches the coast of Dyelli Byelli without permission from the JDF will be fired upon. Merchant shipping however may operate as usual. Unarmed military vessels may also operate as usual.

Armed military aircraft are similarly prohibited.

signed
Matthew Ridgeway, Minister of Defense, FKC, Port Olympus

Meanwhile, all available JDF warships are ordered to assemble and then proceed to patrol positions.

ooc
using Galveston Bay for JDF posts, and New Shiron for New Shiron posts

Addendum
FKC Ministry of Defense

Unarmed military cargo aircraft, tankers, and liaison aircraft are granted an exception for entry into FKC airspace as long as they follow commercial air traffic routes and follow air traffic control instructions while in FKC airspace.

In addition, aircraft that are being delivered to a specific faction in FKC territory, including combat aircraft, may also travel along commercial air traffic routes, as long as they follow air traffic control instructions.

Special Addendum and notice to fliers and mariners
JDF manned aerospace craft and remote piloted drones will occasionally make observation flights and interceptions of foreign aircraft and ships entering FKC territory. Safety rules will be followed, but these aircraft and drones will be armed to ensure compliance with FKC directives.

The Waters between the Imperium & Dyelli Beybi

Word had spread quickly within the Imperium that clearance had been granted for armed aircraft to enter Dyelli Beybi to assist the Royal Alliance. One of the few female prophets, Adrienne was already on her way through classified means to the war torn country to meet with the Tzarina. However, with the change came new orders for the 1st taskforce.

The servicemen and women cheered when they heard they would not be stuck on the ships as originally intended. They would now see combat and would their hardcore training would be put to the test and that test was not far off. Already Tiberius had ordered battle stations to be manned and aircraft to begin preparations for immediate launch. No type of aircraft was spared from this order from the F-03 "Guardian" (Super Hornets) to the electronic warfare aircraft E-1 "Silencer" (Growler), all of these craft were prepped for instant launch. The only thing that prevented this launch was they had no targets as of yet and were not within range though that soon would change.

On the converted Helicopter Assault Carriers a small amount of Imperium solders were preparing for transport into the country. The H-01 "Striker” helicopters (Apache) would escort the first wave of soldiers into the country. Yet the aircraft were not the only weapons prepared for instant deployment because dozens of missile launch pads were prepared to launch their own salvo should a target present itself.

With the distance being closed in and once the craft were within range Tiberius would like to strike instantly so a message was sent in high encryption codes to the military HQ of the Alliance.

Dracun Force Here: Requests targets of opportunity, Requests landing zone for first wave of soldiers, Requests location of meeting between ambassadors.

A short message that would allow a quick answer and therefore a quick response. Unknown to most of the servicemen and women within the task force hardly any knew that Prophet Adrienne was among them and she was placed on one of the two Helicopter-Assault Carriers, The Protector.

The Drakun Imperium was sent the coordinates for a landing Zone in New Dyelli, a major airfield it would seem that was awash with Red Army soldiers. The Ambassador though was directed elsewhere, to the South-West Benjian city of Fasta where an unmarked car and a cagey looking Dyellian in a suit and dark sunglasses was waiting

(OOC: sorry this is so short, I'm a bit rushed)

In one form or another every news Station in Klatch and Newspaper worth it's salt was running the story

Breaking News

In a Historic Speech Today, Chairman Park, the representative for the New Dyellian Government formally swore allegiance to the Tzarina of Dyelli Beybi and asked that all troops opposing the Red Army immediately stand down.

"Truly I can say that we of the New Dyellian Provincial Administration are convinced of the legitimacy of the Royal Alliance's claims and the morality of their war. We will endeavour to ensure that it is brought to a swift and decisive conclusion that will benefit all of Klatch..."

The Djel Valley Administration was quick to declare for Soult, although that in East Benjia remained silent raising speculation over whether or not the third and pivotal province in the ongoing civil war is ready to declare for the Alliance as well...

Soult sighed, it was all too much to take. Not only had the whole of East Benjia deffected now, but Opperation Serpent was being put in serious jeapardy by Union Strikes at National Rail. Now he had huge piles of supplies mounding up at depots while the trains refused to move.

Originally he had thought of having the drivers shot, but Fradkov had advised against it. He'd be asking for a rebellion if he did that, she had blazed, most of the country was already rolling over to the invincible Ming.

So now he was routing trucks to move the supplies across the country... of course the truckers were having a sympathy strike, so he had to use military trucks that were meant to form the supply line in enemy territory.

He wished now he had passed the anti-Union legislation he had planned as a first stage in streamlining the economy, but he had run out of time and he desperately needed a victory over Ming. Ming the invincible.

Still there was cheering news. Two Divisions of the Imperial Army had reached Axe pass.... it was guarded by less than half their number of ill-equiped troops. Ming was rushing to the scene with 4 Divisions of the Red Army, so he had to strike hard and fast. The assault would begin tomorrow...

458th Division arrived in Dyelli Byelli, under the command of General Dieter Ungerschlober an old grizzled Veteran of the 3rd Great Unification war, still a fierce and energetic man despite being in his late 60s.

The transports started unloading the division, the troops marched out in close order, then assisted in unloading the heavy equipment, within the hour the Division was ready to set out. Quartermasters then set about ensuring all equipment is present.

1 Division HQ: 500 men, 40 IFVs
5 Infantry Regiments: 5150, 400 IFVs men (1030 men, 80 IFVs each)
1 Tank Regiment: 1100 men, 105 Tanks
2 Artillery Regiments: 3000 men, 208 Artillery Pieces (1500 men each, 104 Artillery Pieces each)
1 Air Defence Regiment: 1200 men, 48 SAMs, 32 CIWSs
1 Engineer Regiment: 800 men, 60 IFVs
1 Maintenance Regiment: 800 men, 200 Trucks
1 Transportation Regiment: 1200 men, 400 Trucks
1 Signal Battalion: 400 men, 30 IFVs
1 Medical Battalion: 300 men, 20 Trucks
1 Electronics Warfare Battalion: 400 men, 30 Trucks
1 Aviation Battalion: 400 men, 24 Helicoptors
1 Military Police Company: 150 men, 15 IFVs
1 NBC Defence Company: 150 men, 15 IFVs
1 Traffic Control Company: 150 men
Total: 15,230 men, 105 Tanks, 208 Artillery pieces, 24 Attack Helicoptors, 560 IFVs, 650 Trucks

[Encrypted]
To: Military Officials of Pierre Soult

Our forces are available to be deployed immiediately. Upon seeing the changing political situation in and around your nation, we are sending over 2 more divisions to ensure the victory of Justice and the defeat of the Red horde.

The F-03 Guardians soared over Dyelli Beybi and were on their way to the landing zone. They were under command of Air Captain Markus a man who was as much as a diplomat as a professional pilot. It was for this reason he had been sent to make sure no mistakes a normal military man would make in terms of any negotiations. His Guardian led the three 12 fighter squadrons towards their landing zone, "Alright boys and girls we are approaching mission point, get ready to put on the show."

A chorus of clicks answered his alert and the aircraft sped up and eventually they saw the airfield which was packed with allied soldiers, "Ok, break on three, 1...2...3" And the lead squadron broke off and the other two split up showing they were skilled pilots ready for action and after a short "show" they formed up and began to land. Markus jumped out of his Guardian and grabbed one of the soldiers, "Sir, Where is your commanding officer?"

Even though it was obvious that even with different ranks Markus was above him in ranks Markus did it out of respect.

Helicopter Convoy to Fasta
Two Striker Helicopters escorted a small unique helicopter that was reserved for Imperium leaders. It was fast and had as much armor as it could hold without losing speed. The stats were classified and served as a way for the leader within to escape from whatever threat may arise.

"Prophet Adrienne we are only a few minutes away," The pilot told the lady Prophet.

Adrienne didn't reply instead gave a slight nod of acknowledgement. Within a few minutes they were within the sight of the man and several seconds later were landing. Two heavily armed soldiers stepped out, they were Templar the elite of the elite and were here to insure that Adrienne returned home.

One of them outstretched his hand into the helicopter and a woman covered in white robes, "I'm Prophet Adrienne ambassador from the Imperium, I'm here to meet the Tzarina."

New Dyelli

The area around the airfield seemed fairly open. Flooded rice paddies took up most of the ground, which would explain why the high and dry airfield had so many people on it..

The soldier who had been pulled out blinked in a confused manner, then saluted, aware he was probably talking to an officer, "You'd be looking for Brigadier Pang, he's the one over there with the cap with the red band and the calvalry breeches.

Indeed he was just about unique among the troops on the airfield in that he was not dressed in camouflage patterns, but rather in kakhi dress uniform. He marched over, a wave of officers and guards following in his wake and offered a quick salute, "Brigadier Pang at your Service. I am assuming you are the Commanding Officer of the Dracun Imperium, or at least this wave?"

He gave Markus a curious look, "I have been instructed to give you a briefing on the situation and to find suitable billets both here and in the nearby towns... and of course to bid you welcome to Dyelli Beybi."

He gave a wry smile, "Welcome to Dyelli Beybi, I apologise for not standing on propper ceremony but things are moving very quickly."

----------

Fasta

There was something odd about the limousine. For one it had no windows and only a small slit for the driver to see out of. Secondly it was a half track...

The man in the sun glasses smiled politely, "My apologies that the Tzarina cannot be here in person, this area, although neutral is still potentially dangerous for her. The Cheka opperate here with impunity although they are not stupid enough to take a shot at you. I am Corporal Forbes and am under unders to ensure that you arrive safely at your destination."

He opened the back door, "Please." he said simply.

There was room inside for the Prophet and the two Guards. Anther Dyellian was sitting in the back row clutching a briefcase to his lap. He looked slightly nervous.

Nobody had said exactly where they were going. They seemed slightly on edge, presumably this was not a good place to talk..

(OOC: More to come later)

Secret, Encoded Message from an anonymous email header somewhere in Allanea

While the Allanean government, per se, may be slow to act – military response requiring Congressional Approval – there are many private Freemen that would be willing to send aid. For starters, the Ashtonbury Brigade – under my very own leadership – is a volunteer-based organization that will easily field many skilled and willing volunteers to combat the Devil Bolshevik whenever one shall raise his evil head. If you send your assent, I will begin using my channels to divert volunteers in the service of Liberty, Property, and Life in Dyelli Beibi – in the same way Ashtonbury Brigade (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Ashtonbury_Brigade) forces have already operated in the past in Chimaean Colombia and Iansisle, among others.

Additionally, I believe that you would be well-served to contract certain Allanean corporate institutions, that would provide emergency food supplies, or sell food for small amounts of money - as well as build infrastructure or train tracks. Additionally, Cute Bunny Security Forces and other Private Military Contractors – the most famous being Penguin Resolutions, Inc. – could also provide hired security forces. An additional way to seek either paid or volunteer military assistance would be simply to put ads out in magazines like the Allanean edition of Soldier of Fortune.

Furthermore, as Dyelli Beybi is no longer Socialist, I believe I could be instrumental in securing better relations between our government and yours.

Sincerely yours,
Brigadier General William Ashtonbury (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/William_Ashtonbury)

Ecryption: Medium
From: Royal Alliance HQ, New Dyelli
To: The Glorious Nation of Sovistan
Subject: Military Aid

we are once again grateful for the Military Aid Offered. Please proceed to the West Jungle Airbase for disembarkation, billeting and briefing as to the tactical situation in this part of the world.

We eagerly await your arrival,

General Ming,
Red Army


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

Ecryption: Medium
From: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I, Cyro
To: Brigadier General William Ashtonbury, Allanea
Subject: Military Aid

Feel free to do whatever you can. We greatly appreciate the effort. Please remember, however to register one's arrival within Dyellian waters before arrival.

Yours with all due respect,
Tania Fradkov,
Secretary to the Emperor


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

The Army from New Nicksyllvania was eventually confronted by a harassed looking Warrant Officer from one of Soult's Two Divisions that were stationed in Cyro.

"Greetings." he saluted vaguely, glancing over his paperwork, "I'm looking for the Commanding Officer of this Division. The General sends his compliments and asks that the Division advance to Axe Pass at once."

This was easier said that done. First they needed to get up the River Highway, which was literally clogged with trucks that had been left in inopportune places by 'Tramways Union' which was currently on strike over anti-Union legislation. 500 kilometres North, turn left to Sheffied, through the Sheffield pass, where there was the distinct possibility of ambush. Then it was east and another 500 kilometres or so North to the pass.

----------

The barracks in the valley held a propper radar outfit, and it was going crazy... there were a lot of planes coming in at altitude. Looked like a bombing run. There was some hurried conversation, then the Red Army began to scramble it's own planes.

Pak Lee watched, it was dusk, but he could still make out the dark patches of Aircraft flying South, hundreds upon hundreds, in so many Squadrons, all flying in tight echelon formation.

In the Air, Air Commoder Augustus Chen clipped his oxygen mask on, lowering his visor and bringing up the HUD, "All Squadrons Report in."

They began to Report in one by one. It was going to be quite a melee in the skies above Dyelli Beybi. He had a good 300 planes with him, the enemy had similar numbers. Any more and the risk of mid air collision would outweigh the benefits of more planes. He knew that. So did Soult. 25 Squadrons...

The MiGs and Sukhois employed by the Royal Alliance Airforce were Soviet design, but much of the electronics had been reworked with Dyellian design, only leaving the basic airframes. They were improved, but still hampered by inferior Russian missiles. He needed to close, and close fast, then the superior manouverability of the Sukhois would give them the upper hand in a dogfight.

"OK People." he growled, his voice betraying some of the stress he was feeling. The Engines of the Sukhoi roared in his ears, "Half an hour of war then some other poor buggers take our place, go for the bombers and any Typhoons. Good luck."

With that Chen's earpiece began to beep incessantly, someone was trying to get a lock on him, he pulled the stick up, climbing suddenly. This was it...

On the ground the Imperial Army was advancing too, "Artillery set up behind that ridge." Fitzherbert was on the ground, he waved towards a low ridge. The Gathering dusk had hidden the mountains surrounding the pass, "I want heavy covering fire directed at the hills, then First Division will form an armoured column and Assault the left, Second will deal with the right. Infantry to pull up the rear... tell them to stay in the IFVs until they come under rocket attack or are within range of the summit."

A bright orange glow lit up the night sky, leaving the flaming carcass of a plane streaming down towards the Earth. It impacted perhaps a kilometre to the West of Fitzherbert's position, temporarily lighting up the dark sky.

Despite actual appearances and claims to the contrary, William Ashtonbury was not, in a matter of fact, in charge of the Ashtobury Brigade. He was it’s namesake and official figurehead – he gave keynote addresses, he arranged donations, he signed deals. But as a matter of fact, he did not actually make these deals – the decisions were made by a group of shadowy officers, known as the Regional Colonels. They were ones that got rich sponsors to donate to fund the Brigade’s training camps and propaganda operations, it’s air fleet and computer network – all ten cargo aircraft, that is. Officially, the Ashtonbury Brigade was only supposed to provide training for foreign freedom-fighters – an activity fully legal in Allanea.

Unofficially, it also provided a ‘communications network’ between a variety of legal and semi-legal organizations. Where-ever a good cause was available to be fought for, you could be sure that the Brigade would provide fighters for it – or rather, would tell about it to someone willing to provide the fighters. As a matter of fact, very few of the fighters that were directed to fight by the Brigade – and who used the famous Brigade slogan – were actually Brigade members. But the slogan – Rumbiak is dead! Ashtonbury lives! – rang where-ever the Brigade was sending the volunteers, and became a symbol of Allanean volunteer operations – where-ever they went.

The small C-130 aircraft held only sixty operatives, but the volunteers inside were just the first drop that would soon become a full-fledged river stream. Those sixty differed from most of the people that would follow – if the Beybian Emperor allowed, of course – in that they were actually trained in the Brigade’s camps and belong to the Brigade structure. The Brigade makes a point of having it’s own operatives arrive first.

Even those operatives are extremely varied.

As the Colonel passed through the plane’s belly for one last time, looking at the ‘crew’. Here was Harvey, carrying the TIW Compact – an expensive sub-machinegun covered with a variety of attachments that Harvey’s parents bought him for his 17th birthday. Harvey was wearing an expensive leather coat, a pair of equally expensive commando boots, camouflage pants, and other gear. The boy was grinning underneath his glasses, and for a second the Colonel envied him. So naïve… Then he though of what was in store for Harvey, and the envy stopped.

‘Okay guys, here’s what we do. Once we approach the limits of Beybian airspace, we will radio the Beybians, and they will tell us were to land. From there, you will divide into five-man teams as you’ve been trained to, and infiltrate into Communist territory.’

Batista was a huge, muscular man of African descent, his teeth gleaming in the dark, his face covered with nasty scars. He was carrying an AMG-8 – the belt-fed, squad support version of the main Allanean army rifle. It was marked six times – once for every confirmed kill of a Chimaean communist fighter. Batista had a long score to settle with the Communists – and it seemed that it would never be settled, no matter how many wars he fought in.

‘You will then engage the Communist for in guerilla warfare. In less neat terms – if it is wearing a Communist uniform and it is vulnerable kill it. If it belongs to a Communist set it on fire. Cut their telephone wire, burn their fuel stocks, and above all, kill, kill, and again kill. Remember – the Communists seek to starve entire cities to death in this one. No matter how many of them you kill, you have a moral high ground simply because you’re protecting hundreds of thousands from this horrible fate.’

There were several young men in Boy Scout shirts and blue levis – yes, the Boy Scout Corps was banned from participating in combat operations as long as it received public funding – but it’s individual members could. And these boys, leaning on ABR-8 rifles with immense ten-inch bayonets looked pretty individual to the Colonel.

‘Let me restate this again: When in doubt, you kill. Kill. Kill. This should be what you visit upon the Communists – killing, death, destruction, fires, ruins, pain and endless suffering. This is how wars are won. And this is how you will win it – and safe hundreds of thousands from suffering, death, and murder.’

He nodded at an old-looking, wiry man leaning on a Remington M700 hunting rifle. ‘And yes, you’ll be preventing the spread of Communism. I know that counts, too.’

* * *
Official Inquirity from the Allanean Government

Does the Emperor secure, or promise to secure in the near future, only economic liberties? Or will there be a liberalization in the areas of free speech, assembly, and freedom from unfair trial – to name a few? If yes, we can provide help and perhaps provide others to do so.

The aircraft convoy was nearing its destination, and the pilot at the head thought it was about time they forewarned the airbase of their arrival. He ordered his navigator to send out the message, and he picked up the mic.
"West Jungle Airbase, WJA, this is the Sovistan arms convoy. We're closing on your position now. ETA... 45 minutes, Over."

Meanwhile, in the cargo hold of one of the planes, ranks men sat in rows. Most of them were nervously fiddling with their weapons and equipment.
"Do you think they'll be expecting us?" A corporal asked his neighbour.
"Does it matter? There's only a couple hundred men in this whole damn convoy. The others are just full of assault rifles and ammo, I saw them loading them up. We don't stand a chance."
"Well, you know the motto: In too far, release white star!"
"Yeah, I'm sure that'll really endear the locals towards us..."

New Dyelli
Markus saluted Pang, "Air Captain Markus at your service, sir." Then he listened to the words of Pang carefully, "I have been put in charge of the Dracun Air Assessts here to make things easier for Admiral Tiberius but, please don't worry about any formal greeting it only serves to waste valuable resources. However, we must get right to the dark business we are dealing in. More Waves our on their way; we wish to inquire how many fighters and if possible bombers, will fit in this air field or any other?" Markus didn't wait for an answer he moved right on, "We have also promised you troop support... where are they needed and how many. We have a decent amount of troops ready to move in via helicopters into any hot spot and more ready to make land fall in any location you deem necessary."

Fasta Going to Unknown Location

As the agent opened the door, Adrienne entered and noticed the man and his nervous behavior but, she turned back to the agent and her tone was as gentle as spring breeze, “No explanation is needed Corporal, I know all to well the dangers of such places.” Though she meant her words the last four words also triggered a subtle reaction in the guards as it was a secret code that would tell them to be at a higher alert level.

She knew the dangers well enough that she should not fear natives as much as those around her. Adrienne knew nothing of the people here except her Templar and in her line of work if you had a slightest feeling you had to act on it. The man who she had noticed on the way in would hopefully slip if something was up, “My dear sir, why so nervous?”

Though Adrienne doubted the Alliance would try anything she didn’t know if these people were the alliance; what if they had killed the real delegates? You could never be too cautious in the Prophetess’ opinion and she would follow that saying to heart.

In much the same way that the government of Timaru and Moskau had originally been contacted just months before the Imperium now planned to secretly contact the Royal Alliance.

In fact, it was the very same light freight hauler, the ship Lost Hope, registered under the Democratic States of Al Arabiyah, formerly the nation of Al Anbar (the very same government that had precipitated the events that led up to the nuclear attacks on Drakonia and the Imperium's long cold war with Klatch), that now was making a last turn south away from mainland Klatch and Dyelli Beybi to return to its home port. The freighter was returning home after making a trip to the Veiled Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, a trip that interestingly enough should not have taken the freighter anywhere near Klatch.

However, Lost Hope was not all it appeared to be. Rather than an actual freighter, this was an Intelligence Ship of the Drakonian Intelligence Agency (commonly referred to as the DIA). And its purpose was again to relay a message. This time however, the message would be going to Dyelli Beybi and the Royal Alliance.

The message was encrypted with a code that the Imperium assumed the Rebels would be able to decode easily enough, but that should be difficult for outside parties. In fact, it was a similar code to the one the message to Timaru and Moskau had been encoded with. There was considerable risk, however that the Cheka might be able to as well decode the message.

The Imperium wishes to take the first step, albeit secretly, in what it hopes will bring about a lasting peace, in Dyelli Beybi, and between Klatch and the Imperium. We wish to support you, the Royal Alliance, in your efforts to rid Dyelli Beybi of its current Tyrant.

Toward that end, the Imperium is willing to commit considerable monetary funds and as well as equipment, arms, and specialists to your war effort. In exchange, we request that you agree to the nuclear disarmament of Dyelli Beybi. Upon the restoration of democracy and peace in Dyelli Beybi peace negotiations would be revisited and as part of those negotiations the Imperium would agree to assist Dyelli Beybi in the construction of an Anti-Ballistic Missile Shield.

We hope this is satisfactory, and we also hope for the success of your efforts.

Drakonian Diplomatic Corps.
located in Drako Throne,
capital of the Grand Dominion of Drakonian Imperium

Soult sniggered. He was reading the Allanean letter. He grinned, he hadn't smiled like that in a while. He slapped a meaty palm down on the edge of his desk, "Tell them of course we are going to have elections and free press and happy bunnies skipping through the glades if that's what will make them send in troops."

"Begging your pardon Sir..." Fradkov was sounding tetchy this morning, probably lack of sleep, there were dark circles under her eyes, "Do you intend to do any of that?"

Soult chuckled, then laughed outright, "Not on your life."

"We need an excuse not to then." Fradkov pointed out.

Soult waved a hand at her dismissively, "Do your Cheka magic, I don't care as long as we look good."


Ecryption: None
From: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I, Cyro
To: The Government of Allanea
Subject: Social Liberties

The Government of His Majesty Pierre Soult I full endorses democracy in Dyelli Beybi, a free press and freedom of movement.

Unfortunately at this stage it is impossible. All but the Papers controlled by his Majesty are controlled by Bolshevik editors intent on spreading dissent in the populace. Furthermore, were the populace to be given an election at the moment, they would assuredly elect another Bolshevik Government which is something we do not wish to happen.

Furthermore, into the forseeable future, allowing freedom of movement for the populace will be impossible as many of the people are Bolshevik supporters and cannot be relied upon not to resort to sabotage in order to bring about the undoing of the regime.

Yours with the greatest respect,
Tania Fradkov,
Secretary to the Emperor


----------

The Allanean plane was directed to an airfield in East Benjia. A Eurofighter passed close by, coming into land just before them. There was smoke coming from the engine, as it descended the landing gear obstinately refused to go down, and the plane skidded horribly along the runway.

A fire brigade rushed out, but there was no need. The pilot bailed out smoothly, legging it for about 50 metres before stopping to stare at the plane. This caused delays while a tow truck was sent out to pull the wrecked fighter off the runway.

Finally the Allanean plane was cleared to land.


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

Smilarly the Sovistan troops were being cleared to land at the air base...

Pang watched the transports coming in, he chewed his lip thoughtfully, "These Air Bases are all built around a design. Three parallel runways and then a bevy of hangers."

"There are 25 across the Province, most in the North, each can hold 96 fighters, provided they aren't too massive and 12 bombers of Tu-160 size. We have 900 fighters and fighter-bombers now minus any losses and no bombers."

He paused unable to do the maths in his head, "I don't know exactly, but thats quite a few places, although some will involve signifcant flight time to reach the front. Just for reference, Soult has about 1,500 Fighters/Fighter Bombers and 180 bombers. Dyelli Beybi has always had a big airforce."

There was a pause, "As we speak there is a massive air battle some miles East of here. We've thrown in every plane. Apparently there are massive losses on both sides and the land battle hasn't even started."

----------

Fasta

As soon as the doors were closed the mood lightened. The Corporal had climbed into the front passenger seat. The man in the back let out a sigh of relief, "Sorry for our lack of manners. I am Lieutenant-Colonel Gibbs, we were sent to collect you. This place is neutral, but we certainly don't want to be follwed. The Tzarina, is a very headstrong woman..."

He shook his head, although seemingly at least partially in admiration, "We told her this was a foolhardy thing to do, but she insisted she had to meet you. She's got all of 18 Guards with her at the moment, she should be in the middle of the Army."

He gave the prophet a glance from the corner of his eye, "I think she wants to size you up. We haven't really had any diplomatic contact with your Nation before."

The vehicle, an NFEV-1 or Nuclear Fallout Escape Vehicle Mark 1, was moderately common in Dyelli Beybi. It cost as much as an expensive sports car, but was regarded as almost essential for Senior Officers and Politicians.

There was what appeared to be a small table in the middle of the vehicle. Gibbs lifted the lid off it to reveal a small refrigerated alcohol cellar, "Would any of you like anything to drink?"

He picked up the bottles one by one to examine them, "We have absinthe... more absinthe or water."

It cruised out into the countryside, although with no windows this would be impossible to tell, eventually it pulled up on what sounded to be a gravel drive. The Corporal opened the door.

There were a few men and women in black pyjamies and black steel paddy hats wandering the perimeter or roofline of what appeared to be a small but pleasant french-style Chateaux.

A young woman in a plain black (although slightly low cut) dress, with a red top pulled over and laced up the front was there to greet them. She was dressed like a peasant, but if the Prophet and her enterage had looked at Photos, they'd recognise the fine features, dark eyes and black ringlets of Alexia ap Adam,the increasingly well known Tzarina of Dyelli Beybi.

She smiled politely, not introducing herself, nobody was bowing or saluting either, the Tzarina who had never wanted to be Tzarina... "Hello, you must be the Ambassador from the Dracun Imperium." she pronounced the words with a very slight Dyellian lilt.

"Please come inside, you must be tired, I hear it is a long trip."

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

The Drakonian Imperium had contacted them... and seemed vaguely interested in helping out. Vladimir Dzerzhinsky and his staff pondered over it for a while. It was odd to say the least. He had expected the Imperium to come in guns blazing for Soult as soon as they realised that the spawn of Richard Glawis who had quite merrily deployed nuclear weapons against their Nation was on the loose...

He had, spoken to the Tzarina, and her plan had chilled him, but he couldn't very well say no. She was his Boss after all, and while he had argued against her naivety and foolishness, he had eventually had to concede...

Ecryption: High
From: Embassy of the Royal Alliance, Port Olympus
To: Drakonian Diplomatic Corp
Subject: Peace Negotiations

Having spoken at length to the now Tzarina, Alexia ap Adam and other prominent members of the Alliance, it has been agreed that peace with the Drakonian Empire is something that would be beneficial to us all.

However before we can make any promises as to nuclear disarmament we must first work out exactly the form that this might take and what would be entailed by disarmament. Furthermore we will need timeframes and the like as to when such a nuclear defence could be put in place.

As such the Tzarina has asked me to relay her compliments, and asked if it would be possible to restart negotiations immediately? She has suggested a venue somewhere in the Drakonian Empire to discuss this, wishes it to be public, and also requests that other concerned parties such as Tersanctus be involved in the negotiations. It is her full intention to personally represent the Alliance.

Yours with the greatest respect,
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky

The Allanean guerillas got off the plane, divided into groups, and made way to infiltrate – dressed like civilians – into Communist-controlled territory.

Official Message from President Kazansky to Emperor Pierre Soult

I believe that, if you are sincere in your desire to accomplish this new liberty for your people, you will allow certain reforms to be made that would at least move Dyelli Beybi towards liberty. Here are some ways in which you could expose your people to free speech without allowing your nation to fall to the Communist foe.

1. We suggest that elections be only held after the Communist foe is defeated. The crushing of Communism in the war will be adequate proof to the electorate of the superiority of our way of life. Truth, Justice and Liberty will carry the field, backed by the Allanean and Beybian bayonet. However, for honesty’s sake, we request that you declare a date at which the elections will be conducted.
2. We suggest that imports of foreign newspapers into Dyelli Beybi be legalized, and Internet communications legalized and liberalized . After all, newspapers in Allanea are not controlled (at least in 99.4% of the market share) by the Communist vermin.
3. We recommend that freedom of motion be restored within the areas of Dyelli-Beybi that are not currently under control of the Communist devil. Any detrimental effect it might have will be immediately offset by the forces I plan to move into Dyelli Beybi to assist your government once those conditions are met.

As you consider these conditions, I remind you that our military aid is fully conditional on their fulfillment. Not a single Allanean soldier shall fire a bullet on your behalf if you do not prove you are dedicated to all freedom, all the time.

Regardless, Allanea humanitarian aid – a group of aircraft carrying food and medicine for the Djel Valley – is en route. It is escorted by 1000 Sturmfalke aircraft (the Charlton Heston Air Armada) coming from the Midlands region on extended tanks. They will not participate in the fighting, unless attacked. By the time you get this, they will be 30 minutes away from your airspace

Further (and after you agree to these preliminary conditions) I suggest you visit me and my Secretary of State aboard one of Allanea’s aircraft carriers, which is on the way to the nearby seas even now, to discuss the potential benefit of getting the backing of the Sovereign League and ACTO alliances for your endeavor.

Sincerely yours, Alexander Kazansky.

Ungerschlober whistled softly as he looked at a map outlining the route. 500 kilos north and 500 more to the west was a fair distance, but the Nicksyllvanian army obeys orders, not question them.
"Could you provide a few details about the route and its possible dangers"
The Warrent Officer briefed him about the Trucks littered along the road, and about the possible communist ambushes. While the General mentally took notes.
Turning to a signal officer, he ordered
"Order the Division to move North to these co-ordinates, maintain standard Convoy Formation, move out on the Double"
The Signal Officer Immediately saluted and started speaking through the division intercomm, the Division was then alive with activity with Soldiers moving into their cramped IFVs, and loading them up with the last of their supplies before heading out in Groups, 2 Tanks Lead the Way for each group, with around 10-20 IFVs following behind.
"One final question, to what extent of "collateral" damage is acceptable in order to purge the Bolshevik threat"
the Imperial Nicksyllvanian Army has been known to commit various atrocities, the Military Police in particular were a mere branch of the NESPCOMM Secret Police, professionals in torture, interrogation, and propaganda.

Airbase in New Dyelli

Markus tried to do the math too but, didn't do any better than Pang and instead planned out a course of action for the given circumstances, "I can promise a significant amount of Air Support via the Guardians that are deployed in mass upon the carriers at sea. This air battle you speak of can help make establishing air control easier unfortunately it will require a less than moral tactic," He frowned slightly, "Sending Dracun fighters in now would only add to chaos and for all we know may be in vain as we have yet to practice any operations together. I suggest we wait until either side has gained a decisive advantage and by then both sides will be exhausted this is when Dracun fighters will arrive and hopefully either seal the fate of Soult's forces or turn the tide against them considering that the Imperium are fully energized and fully armed unlike Soult's fighters. If you want to put this plan into action I'll put in a request for as many fighters as possible to be deployed at moment's notice to assist in the battle. I can also call in helicopter support with a decent amount of infantrymen... Your call Sir."


Unknown Location
The Prophetess politely denied any refreshments and when they arrived stepped out followed by her Templar guards, “Yes your highness, I am Prophetess Adrienne and thank you for your hospitality.” She took the hint that the Tzarina didn’t like being treated different so Adrienne took the cue and did not bow, hopefully I don’t offend her Adrienne thought to herself.

As they were walking Adrienne whispered quietly, “Forgive me if this is offensive but, we should skip the formalities and get to the negotiations as quickly as possible the lives of the thousands depend on it.”

The Jungle Airbase

Pang grinned, "I wasn't even going to suggest you guys go in at all."

"I figured you'd probably be tired, and tired pilots make mistakes. We're taking losses out there, but we're inflicting them as well. Soult's planes are better, but not much better. Odds are we'll both take outrageous damage which will effectively group both our airforces for months... which is where you guys come in."

He grinned again, "You know it's probably ok to leave aircraft outside the hangers for a bit. It won't be in the Djel Valley, the sandstorms will mess with the engines, but up here I figure we can overcrowd the airbases a little."


The Chateaux in Fasta

"Oh you spotted me." the Tzarina gave a vague smile, "Very good. I'm waiting for someone to think I'm the maid..."

"You can also drop the your highness." she said politely but firmly, "I prefer Alexia... or Miss ap Adam if you aren't comfortable with first names."

Evidently she didn't stand on ceremony, she glanced over at the Adrienne, "Thats ok... I had no intention of going through any of that ridiculous courtly nonsense anyway."

She pushed open a door into what looked like some kind of stately sitting room. There was a log fire in the corner, giving off a small degree of warmth.

"Have a seat." she waved the Prophetess towards a comfortable looking arm chair.

Alexia seated herself opposite, wearing a somewhat vacant expression. She steepled her fingers in front of herself, suddeny looking a lot more attentive, "I have two questions I need answers to... Why are you helping us? My father, may he rest in peace, was a rather unsavoury individual. He opressed the masses and shot peasants for fun. He used nuclear weapons against the Drakonian Imperium and was rather good at eliminating potential threats to him and his sons, including illegitimate offspring."

A slight curve of the lips acknowledged the fact that 'illegitimate offspring' included her, "Why should you trust me to be any different? I do not have any intention of creating an absolute monarchy here, but why should you believe me? Apart from the fact that O'Booze, Ming and Dzerzhinsky would string me up if they even thought I'd considered it..."

"The second question... and please pardon me for being blunt, is what do you hope to get out of this Alliance?"


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

Cyro

The Warrant officer speaking to Ungerschlober ummed and ahhed for a bit before coming up with an answer, "Collateral damage would normally be ok, but the country is just about ready to rise up in support of the Royal Alliance. We're trying a softly, softly approach at the moment, along with curfews and such."

"When you're in the Sheffield pass." he added, "Watch the cliff tops. The last column to go through there got opened up on by a whole band of guys with anti-tank rockets."

As it so happened the Alliance was well at work in the pass laying mines across the damaged roadway...

(OOC: More to come)

Jungle Airbase
Markus had agreed and with a salute went off to request more aircraft to land at the base and for the rest to be put on high alert. Tiberius had been more than happy to agree to the request and it didn't take long for another full two full F-03 Guardian Squadrons to come into view and to begin landing operations. However the Guardians were not the only Dracun support making its way towards the jungle base. Over number of carrier based transport helicopters, carrying 30 men each came into view not long after. There were thirty of these helicopters making it a total of 900 infantrymen and women who were about to engage in the 1st foreign conflict in over a century.

Major Alana Shira approached Markus as soon as she had gotten off her transport. She was a fierce woman who was becoming well known with the entire armed forces of being uncompromising and incredibly patriotic. What made her so adored by those who knew her was that she despised politics and was expected to become in time the 1st woman to command the army branch. It didn't help that the Supreme Prophet himself respected her style and the two were confidants. Markus had been talking to one of his pilots when she had tapped him on the back, "Air Captain, Major Shira reporting for duty sir."

Markus grimaced slightly as he heard her, while he was gifted in combat and diplomacy Shira had a habit to do more a lot more bad than good in the diplomatic area so she might become a liability to the Dyelli Bebyi relations, "At ease Major, I'm assuming you are commanding this battalion?"

She nodded, "Yes sir and the next one coming in."

Markus would have dropped his jaw in shock had he not been educated in politics, "Major Shira was there a promotion that I was not aware of?"

She smiled slightly knowing that no matter how hard Markus had hit it he was shocked, "Not yet, the Admiral is putting my skills to the test and if I do well I will be promoted. But, sir that is not the reason of my approaching you. Admiral Tiberius wishes to let you know that we are setting up a supply line to this base and need to know what is needed the most."

Markus' smiled politely and wished Shira luck but, he knew he would have to talk to the Admiral about testing a major in a conflict of such importance he dismissed her and walked over to Pang, "Sir, one of the majors here have informed me that supply lines are being erected and my superiors wish to know the supplies that are needed the most."

Fasta Châteaux
Adrienne already respected the Tzarina and the negotiations had yet to start. Though Adrienne knew about hundreds of traditions in hundreds of cultures she didn’t exactly jump for joy when she had to take part in them especially when such a grave matter was at hand. When they sat down the Prophetess knew it was time to get questioned not to be questioned because the Tzarina didn’t waste a second and neither did Adrienne “I believe you answered the first and even the second question by yourself. As you said your father, who has passed on, eliminated all opposition without a second thought and did this no matter the means. The Drakonians were bombed with nuclear weapons by your father and such brutal measures are neither healthy nor safe for not just your nation but the international. We want to make sure such an unstable form of government is put to an end and one that is more stable and forgive me if these words sound imperialistic, friendly to the international. Yet you do bring up an interesting point in your first question Alexia, why should the Dracun Imperium trust you?”

Adrienne leaned back in her comfortable chair, “I won’t lie to you Alexia, reaching out to not just you but, your communist allies is a risk; a great risk but, if no one took risks imagine what the world might be like today? The Supreme Prophet has faith that you will do your best to make sure your people are cared for and he may be young but, he is has a knack for trusting the right people,” She leaned in close now, “And I believe this talent of his has served him right once more.”

OOC: DB, did you accidentally miss my posts, or do you have some problem with them? Please contact me in some way to clarify.

OOC: DB, did you accidentally miss my posts, or do you have some problem with them? Please contact me in some way to clarify.

OOC: No I did not miss it. You'll note the OOC note at the bottom of my last post. Unfortunately I came down with something quite unpleasant yesterday evening (my time) and was unable to make any further posts.

OOC: I apologize.

OOC: Not a problem, lol, I've been in and out of hospital like a yoyo.

The Allaneans had two choices. Either they could try to cross the hills into New Dyelli, or enter the less forboding peaks to the East where Royal Alliance guerillas, supposedly commanded by the Tzarina herself were sallying out from to raid Sout's supply lines.


Ecryption: Medium
From: Offices of his Majesty Pierre Soult I, Cyro
To: The Government of Allanea
Subject: Social Liberties

His Majesty Pierre Soult I wishes to announce that he will gladly schedule elections for 2 months from the date of formal hostilities being completed. However, he reserves the right to disallow parties with Communist sympathies or those alligned with the so called 'Tzarina'.

Internet communications will be legalised, provided blocks are placed to keep citizens of the Empire out of subversive websites. Foreign newspapers may be imported but must be sensored first to ensure no Leftist articles are present in the print.

Unfortuntely we cannot allow freedom of movement in Government controlled areas in the forseeable future do to the chance of Marxist sabotage or assassination attempts against key Government officials.

Yours with the Greatest respect,
Tania Fradkov


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

The Jungle Air Base

Pang laughed, "What we need most of all is ammunition. Too many of our troops are carrying the SSA1801 assault rifle."

He paused momentarily, then decided he should explain the problem with the weapon that made it almost impossible for other nations to supply the ammunition, "The SSA1801's full name is the Socialist Small Arms factory, model 1, 8.01mm rifle. 8.01mm isn't something most people produce. We have some factories doing it, but not enough, most are in the Djel Valley. We need to reissue at least our troops with something more standardised that we can import rounds for."

"So I guess." he finished, "That the things we need most are new rifles with ammunition for them and of course medical supplies."


----------

The Châteaux

The Tzarina laughed, "Oh thats good, turn it around right on me."

There was a sparkle in her eyes that communicated that she found this genuinely funny, "I suspect you must trust me at least to some degree or you wouldn't be here."

She gave a polite cough to signal someone wanted to approach them, he was uniformed in the same black uniform as all the troops but wore no helmet and a bright red sash over his shoulder, "I'll have tea thanks William."

She waited to see if Adrienne was going to order anything off the man who was presumably supplying refreshments, then gave him a polite nod, "Thank you."

"Well, where to I start?" she fussed around with her skirt for a moment, gathering her thoughts, "My dear father didn't know about me until I was 18, which was lucky for me. He would have killed me. He still tried to. He did kill me mother. As such I had no compunctions with fighting to overthrow him. Not only did I disagree with his rule, but he had hurt me personally. I can't say I regret his death."

"I believe very strongly in Socialism and equality for all people. I'm only claiming this throne to unify us with the people who were driven out of Dyelli Beybi. I will not shirk it's responsibilities. I will allow a free Parliament and step back after this war as just a figurehead."

She paused for a moment, "There were two sets of very free and very fair elections before Soult arrived, both times the people elected very left wing parties, the NSWP and later the PRP, the Communists both times stayed as the major opposition party... What destroyed us was our paranoia. We tried to keep people from controlling us and taking our freedom away. So we set up an intelligence network that was more powerful than the Government. Eventually the spies took over, Soult is their figurehead."

Another pause as she changed subject, "I want to open up trade routes between Dyelli Beybi and the rest of the world, but I and the other people in the Alliance will not allow us to become either colonised or imperialistic. Is this sort of what you want to establish in this meeting?"

The message from Dyelli Beybi was quickly relayed to a satellite in orbit via the Lost Hope's LASER Communication system and while the ship steamed out of the South Klatchian Sea it was not long before the reply was returned through the very same satellite. It was encrypted and then dispatched to the Royal Alliance in Dyelli Beybi.

The Imperium also welcomes the immediate beginning of negotiations. The Imperial Conference Center in Trinidad would be an ideal location for public negotiations. The Tzarina and her staff would also be welcome to stay at the Center itself or the Royal Sutherland Palace nearby (the Praetor and Queen's Residence on the island). Should she wish other accommodation or have any special requests the Praetor would be glad to fulfill them.

The Imperium is contacting the other concerned parties. Be assured that we expect the individual governments of the United Emirate nations to respect any treaty that would come from our negotiations even if they are unable to attend. We would like to request that certain important Klatchian States also attend negotiations as they are as well concerned parties in this matter. We realize that this may be in detriment to negotiations, but wish their involvement as a sign of ours and their willingness to end this conflict.

In the meantime, the Imperium wishes to extend its aide unrestricted (and secretly) to your movement. We have prepared arms, munitions, and equipment, as well as specialists ready to be at your service.

Drakonian Diplomatic Corps.
located in Drako Throne,
capital of the Grand Dominion of Drakonian Imperium

Slowly, surely, the Allanean guerillas began to move towards the Tzarist lines. They were not, of course, aware of the negotiations between Alexander Kazansky and Emperor Soult – nor would it have mattered if they would. They were in nobody’s chain of command, and would act against the Communists in a unique way of their own.

While their training was on the level on many nations’ Marines, while even their youngest members could hit a standing man with a rifle at four hundred meters prone, they did not choose enemy elites as their target. Rather, they subdivided into small groups – none larger then five men – and began a campaign of guerilla of their own, targeting the weakest link they would find in the Tzarist-Communist chain.

Sometimes, a Rocket-Assisted Rifle Grenade would be fired into the front window of a supply truck carrying weapons and food for Communist troops, the firer escaping before the grenade would even impact the target. Sometimes an electric pole was cut down like a tree, cutting an entire village off from light. Sometimes, a village elder in a pro-Communist village would go for a long walk – and suddenly feel the cold blade of a knife on the back of his neck.

But that would be later in time. In the meanwhile, the Allaneans were simply making their way towards Communist position.

In the meanwhile, the Allanean resupply craft had landed and given the food relief over to the Dielli-Beybians. The 1,000 Sturmfalke aircraft, in the meanwhile, had refueled, and proceeded onwards, towards the Communist-dominated areas. Their pilots knew that the Beybian air forces would be too busy fighting each other to stop them – on the way to do whatever it was they were supposed to do.

Scans and approaches would reveal they were carrying no weapons except anti-aircraft missiles and long-range fuel tanks.

Official Allanean Message to Both Sides of the Conflict

“While we disagree with the message of the Communists in Dyelli-Beybi, the refusal of Pierre Soult to guarantee the freedom of motion and freedom of speech is hostile not just to Allanean values, but to the very capitalism he seeks to defend.

As such, Allanea will not back Pierre Soult. Nor will it stay neutral. We remind the participants that we maintain available to us a force of literally millions of troops, hundreds of thousands of tanks and thousands of combat aircraft. We can crush any side of this war should we choose to.

From now on, this is an open-bid on our aid.

If the Tzarists show us they will guarantee at least some measure of economic liberty as well as personal freedom, we will immediately begin the destruction of Pierre Soult’s military. With our might, this will be a walk in the park.

If Pierre Soult is ready to guarantee complete freedom of speech and motion under all areas under his control, then we will make the Communists bleed, crush them with our tanks and burn them with our napalm.

We are not big fans of democracy and elections – those are just tools for the preservations of individual rights. Menelmacar has an absolute monarchy and yet is more free then many ‘democratic’ nations of the world. All we care about is freedom – personal and economic.

From now on, this is an auction – and the side that can better protect the freedom of it’s own citizens wins.”

Ecryption: High
From: Embassy of the Royal Alliance, Port Olympus
To: Drakonian Diplomatic Corp
Subject: Peace Negotiations

We are glad that you share our sense of haste in these matters. Whch other Klatchian Nations are these that you speak of? In recent months the face of Klatchian politics has shifted considerably. The new powers are not the old ones.

We also wish to accept the generous offer of aid. However, the Tzarina has insisted that none be supplied for now as a measure of good faith and our willingness to speedily agree upon a nuclear disarmament settlement. Until this settlement is reached, she asks that we recieve nothing.

Yours with the greatest respect,
Vladimir Dzerzhinsky

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

The attacks on convoys were worrying, the assassination of village leaders though was a propaganda coup for the Alliance forces...

Brave old men, cruelly murdered by Soultists. It made rash young men (and women) angry. It made them sign up. New Dyelli was secure. It was Communist to the bone. The rebellion had started there for a reason. Any attempt to start a People's Uprising was as doomed as the Bay of Pigs.

The Allanean Guerillas were also being tracked. All guerilla attacks were logged into a central computer in the new Capital of the Alliance held sector of the country, Desagradavel. They began to slowly and methodically trace the route, and equally methodically they were being tracked by the Tercio Brigade (local special forces)...

----------

The Soultist Government haughtily ignored the Allaneans...

However the Royal Alliance decided to make their own short proclamation.

Proclamation from the Royal Alliance
The Royal Alliance does not, and never will suppliment it's troops with foreign mercenaries. This Revolution is by the people, for the people. We will buy arms, but mercenaries will not be hired.

In Port Olympus, the Minister of Defense of the FKC Matt Ridgeway glumly reviewed reports. In truth, the FKC didn't actually HAVE a military any longer. The failure of the government to pass budgets, the lack of a President, plummeting recruitment rates, and worst of all, the fact that most of the FKC military was simply loaned to the FKC by the member states and most of them had taken their forces back was practically the killing blow.

All he really had was a few divisions and wings to defend the capital, supplied by New Shiron and equipped to local standards by Vrak, and a fleet of warships that New Shiron had left behind still manned by the dedicated few he could afford to pay.

Hopefully nobody would call the bluff of the FKC, but it looked increasingly like someone would. New Shiron at least provided anti missile and space coverage, but anything conventional was up to him and whatever he could scrape up to deal with.

"Damned politicians" he cursed.

Retaliatory Guard Command in Tollan, kept a close eye on the situation. It had been decided that this was a purely internal matter, and the Free Republic would not trouble itself with the continually mutinous Dyellians, they had learned their lesson.

However, in Coventry, others had picked a side to back. The Octogenarian Grand Master Sir Lloyd Hamilton of The Coventry Institute of Democracy, convened a meeting with his Right and Honourable Masters.

"Meeting come to order. I see that affairs as anticipated are developing in The Socialist Republic?" he stated, using the former name of Dyelli Beybi "Sir Tancred?"

Sir Tancred stood, although if anyone from Port Olympus ever saw him, they would call him 'Lord Aldred' "General Deadmarsh is in place, and we are prepared to move in heavy equipment as soon as can be arranged by the Tzarina's forces. I have freed three hundred million Drachma for the effort, if needed."

Sir Lloyd nodded in return slowly "Good, good. Make sure that General Deadmarsh keeps a gun at that young ladies back, should she start to believe in her divine right to disenfranchise the masses."

Sir Tancred smiled "Of course."

They then moved on to other, charitable business.

"Thank you for the information, I'll warn the boys and be on my way. Also here are our Encryption codes for the Division, give them to your superior so that we will remain in contact with your command."

The General then saluted and moved into a cramped IFV modified for Divisional Command Purposes. Grabbing the intercomm from the Signals officer he began his speech.

"Attention, Attention, This is General Ungerschlober. As you know the 458th Division has been sent to Dyelli Beybi to stop the Vicious Communist Pigs from returning this country into a Red Hellhole and to assist in a legitimate, just and strong Government that will bring wealth and prosperity to its people. The Bolshevik Devils have massacred millions of innocent civilians and have eaten their flesh like the monster they are, due to the mass starvation they impose on their people, but enough of what we all know from Grade School. Our Mission is to move to the Axe path, turning left from Sherfield around 500km each way, your CO will provide the specifics. The road is likely to be littered with Reds waiting to ambush, as well the road has been clogged by Trucks, due to a traitorous Labour Union. Be wary of mines as well. The 1st and 2nd Company will scout ahead of the main group and eradicate all communist threats along the road and clear the road itself of obstacles. Due to the instable Political Climate due to Communist brainwashing Collateral Damage and Purges are to be kept minimal, and infringers will be convicted of a Class 2 Crime and be Summarily executed. Present all Prisoners or suspected Communists to the NESPCOMM. For the Glory of the Fatherland and our Righteous Emperor, move out."

The 1st Company led the Division group rolled ahead in their IFVs, firing several 30mm HE rounds into every suspicious cliff or tree. Two Mine detection truck also travelled along, although its magnetic detector could only find metallic mines and not the newer plastic ones, the crew of 16 Engineers would be available to clear mines once they are found. The 2nd Company behind followed similiar measures, however had a small fleet of bulldozers to clear the road of Trucks and debris to maximize the speed of the Division.

Sir Alec Connover, Minister of Foreign in The Free Republic of Ilek-Vaad got together with Retaliatory Guard Command and compiled a list of Foreign Governments now getting involved in Dyelli-Beybi, he sent them ALL a quick missive.

To:<all governments aiding either side in the Dyellian civil war>
From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad

Be forewarned that nations sending military assets to Dyelli-Beybi are fully warned to navigate clear of the Eastern half of the Klatchia Region. Military vessels, military planes and jets , cargo ships with military goods are BARRED from traveling through the territorial waters of The Free Republic and a buffer of one-thousand nautical miles out. Warships and aircraft that ignore this buffer will be considered to be enemy, and destroyed. Vessels transporting weapons and military goods will be turned back, or seized if they persist in violating Vaadian sovereignty.

The Free Republic views the Dyellian civil unrest as a purely internal matter to Dyelli-Beybi, and as such the intervention of other nations is considered illegal. The Free Republic will deal harshly with any nation that acts irresponsibly and endangers other nations in the region.

If you should have any questions, contact: Sir Alec Connover, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ilek-Vaad.

Pak Lee stood at the top of the hill. The unnamed hill. It was midday although the sky was impossible to see. From the valley and from the slope of both hills and the plains beyond, smoke rose from the thousands of smoking wrecks, planes, tanks, vehicles. Then there were the bodies, so many bodies... there was no counting them. His Brigade had been decimated. The dugouts were choked with dead and wounded. The fire had rained fire and the artillery hadn't ceased. Then the tanks and infantry had come, and they would have broken...

But Ming and the Red Army had arrived. The Invincible Ming. And suddenly it was Soult's men who were outnumbered. They'd fought grudgingly, giving way slowly before the onslaught, but eventually had retreated, in moderately good order, although they had left a lot of prisoners, men who's IFVs were destroyed, broken down, or had already left.

The road South now was choken with the Red Army. They would spread out across the plains of East Benjia and drive South, or perhaps East into the Djel Valley itself? Who knew?

"Brigadier!" a private was waving excitedly towards a short wave radio.

"What is it?" Lee asked tiredly.

"The new President of Klatch Sir." he sounded very excited, "She's one of ours Soult has to give up now..."

Lee was suddenly very interested...

(OOC: Klatch swears in a president: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=510118)

Greenmotte Palace, Houses of Parliament, Arn-Maciska, UIK

Justina Valdir strolled down the carpeted hallway, her Rechtaire walking at the same sedate pace. In one hand the Minister held Sir Alec's communiqué. The other was lightly caressing the old wooden panelling.
Julia Perez shifted a folder from one arm to another, and said nothing, waiting for the Minister's thought process to finish.
"How very interesting," Valdir mused.
"Indeed, Minister," Perez replied.
"I wonder... what would this have said if that nice boy knew what we know?"
Perez tilted her head.
"Well, Minister, I doubt he'd be so willing to leave the matter to the Dyellians..."
With a mirthless chuckle, Valdir handed back the communiqué. Perez slid it into her folder, and drew forth another.
"This is a formal hardcopy of the notification Minister..."

Ming was marching South...

There was a rebellion in Christchurch led by someone called Koizumi who had given allegiance to the Tzarina...

The East Benjians were defecting just as readily as the new Dyellians had. Perhaps even more readily. Ming was terrifying, and apparently invincible. He became even more invincible with each passing day as more troops flocked to join him.

Soult was in big trouble and he knew it... Even his most loyal troops were wondering about what the new Klatchian President might do. The conflict probably didn't have long left in it... although if Soult could hold it together perhaps the tables could be reversed.

The Vrakians had not been idle. Intel posts along the Vrakian corridor along with satellite feeds have been pouring in to the Military High Command. The problem was, is that Vrak was beginning to get dangerously spread thin. A significant portion of its forces was located in that former New Shiron territory that resembled Australia. And they were there to counter any overt Vaadian aggression and to keep the eastern front forces in Karmanyaka protection in the police action in Timaru and Moskau.

And Timaru and Moskau was also not as quickly won as the military planners had hoped. It was turning out to be a bloody guerilla war that was beginning to become more than an annoyance.

As well, the seemingly endless struggle for the battle of Clairmont was a drain on the Vrakian forces. A large portion of the more advanced ships and weaponry were shipped to that theatre to have any chance of defeated the Fourth Imperium, a foe that is, by all accounts, even more advanced than Dozle.

Also, since the Vrakians were a paranoid lot, they didn’t want to commit a huge amount of forces, especially to far off campaigns.

Vrak was also in the midst of re-organizing their forces but still could scrape together a significant fighting force. At least the logistical lines would be shorter, since Dyelli Beybi was on the border. That would be some comfort to Ridgeway, should the call come.

====

The guardian fleets have all but restricted themselves to patrolling around the Australian-looking continent while the last of the torpedo net was being laid. Regular patrols were still going strong in that area and also along the corridor. Non-Vrakian troop movements were being monitored as closely as possible, and would it be too far of a stretch to imagine that Vrakian bombers were on a heightened state of alert?

Vrak would be surprised, to yet again, receive intelligence from directly within Dyelli Beybi, once again from satellites and from on the ground. The intel came directly from Retaliatory Guard Command.

Included was also technical specs on the odd conical 'tanks' being deployed in Timaru and Moskau, as well as pictures of a captured tank, and it's small slimy occupant.

And now Bath was in open revolt against Soult. Always a 'Red' city. The local garrison had seized control of the fortress and declared for the Alliance, proudly waving the red flag from the moustrous steel turrets that were the key to this fortress.

Ming had turned Eastwards, from Christchurch, where the now Major General Koizumi had handed the city over. East Benjia was collapsing like a pack of cards. The Soultists only really holding out on two small offshore islands.

Soult's path would take him through Jesuitlem, then further East to Cyro itself. It was the Southern pass and liable to attack from the Sea, but he had decided to risk the crossing at that point nonetheless.

Armistace was being offered to Soult and his troops. It was being taken up. With Soult's international backing seeming to have vanished, the war was swiftly moving in favour of the 'Royal Alliance'.

With apparently no international backing at his disposal, and with his army mostly defecting, planning to defect, pretending not to be recieving messages and doing nothing, or just blind drunk, Soult called a ceasefire.

Negotiations were underway to settle the fate of the Nation...

"... and the paperwork is ready to recognise the Royal Alliance as the legitimate government ma'am. All we need is Cabinet's approval and your signature."
"A good queen from a... long line." Valdir mused aloud. "Good. Gets rid of that presumptuous whelp Soult. When the Royalists declare, have the Cabinet Secretary put the matter on the agenda. Next?"
"Notation from Farmina ma'am, it seems that..."

The rumour on the Streets of Cyro were that negotiations were over in all but name. Royal Alliance dignitaries and beaurocrats moved freely and the Blue and Gold Alliance flag was now being flown openly from balconies and even a few Government buildings. Rumour had it Soult was more or less a prisoner in his own Palace.

In reality the negotiations were over, Soult had opted to go into exile in former Monte Ozarka, while Fradkov had been arrested by her own department on charges of forging evidence and inciting civil disorder.

What they were really waiting on was for the Red Army and the Tzarina to make their way to Cyro so that the Alliance could organise a triumphant parade through the Capital...