NationStates Jolt Archive

(just to try something different...)

Tanith mining complex, soon-to-be Republic of the Jade Star

From the outside, it would appear to be a fairly standard mining operation. Albiet a slave-driven one, but such things are commonplace in a world where violations such as this are so often overlooked, or even encouraged on the basis of profit.
Ones attention might be drawn to the guards, wielding a variety of assault rifles and sub-machine guns, the high concrete walls, the massive slag piles. But these are, as noted, present in a number of such mines. Simply looking at the outside of the Tanith complex yields little information.
But, if ones perspective were to be lifted up and over the wall, to look down on the central 'courtyard' of the building, one might be somewhat suprised.
Roughly a quarter of the inmates look normal enough, perhaps a bit tall and thin, maybe just a bit 'unreal', but on cursory inspection they could easily pass for an every day human being.
The rest of those present are...well...different.

Nwalmaer sighed, more to clear his lungs of dust than to express frustration. He was past frustration, cruising somewhere in the waters beyond.
The dust cloud had settled and a guard kicked him, the generally accepted universal signal to get moving again. Generally this was effective, since hardly any of the labour here spoke English, or anything approaching it. Nwalmaer did, but the guard wasnt to know that.
He rolled his eyes. As if the man would have cared if he spoke English anyway.

"Fuckin' 'oomies. I'd like ta' grh'draka their syloostaki asses." Nwalmaer smiled, despite himself. One could always count on Biter to express his feelings in full, often reaching into other languages for words to do so. Nwalmaer was fluent in his own tounge as well as English, and he could get by in Aldh'Ghoblan, but Biter's mastery of language was so extensive that it often amazed even some of the humans.

"You would have to explain the concept to them first, friend. I dont think they would understand it very well." The pile of rubble ahead glittered slightly in the light of the approaching headlamps.

"Dey dunno nuffin' 'bout nuffin'. Too busy bein' stoopid ta learn nuffin'," Bites-His-Own-Tounge growled as he hefted a pick twice his own size. The humans seemed to prefer Goblins for mine work, they were, after all, natural tunnelers and could bore a line straight as you please from one end of a mountain to the other without an inch of deviation in any direction, without the use of any measuring devices other than those in their heads.
Biter was average in apperance as Goblins went, three feet tall, with oddly exaggerated facial features and a love of things that went 'boom', although perhaps this took second place to his love of collecting insulting adjectives.

Concealing his mirth lest he earn another kick from the guard, Nwalmaer spoke, "Perhaps we should...educate them?"

"Nah, dey wont wanna haf'ta work fer a livin'." Biter brought the pick down on a chunk of rock, splitting it handily.

"There is always hope."

"Fuckin' 'oomies."

"You seem to doubt that they will come around."

"'oomies dun' wanna come 'round. Dey're happy wif fings da way dey 'r. Ain't nuffin' gonna change." He glanced at the guard, and whispered, "'less somebody does somefin' 'bout it."

Nwalmaer nodded, "True, of course. But, how would we go about enacting such change? I doubt that we could organize all the ra-"

It was at that point that Biter launched himself through the closed space of the mineshaft, skimming the ceiling, before bringing his pick around in a cirlce to embed it in the side of the rather suprised guard's head.
There was a rather shocked silence on the part of all present, two other guards stared in blank shock at the pick protruding through both sides of their comrades head, a thin film of blood and cranial fluid seeping over the floor, a Goblin hunched over on his chest attempting to wrench his pick from the mans skull.
Just as one brought his assault rifle up, he found himself unable to breathe, as a rather unpleasant crunching sound registered in his ears.
Nwalmaer drew his fist back as the guard fell over, squeaking and trying to breathe through the fragments of bone and cartilidge in his windpipe, a thin trickle of blood working its way down the side of his mouth.
A thud informed both the Elf and the Goblin that the other guard had been dealt with.

"That, my friend, was perhaps an ill advised move."

"Fukkit. Too late ta' worry 'bout plannin' stuff."

There was a general susseration of agreement in the room, a small figure, perhaps six inches tall, stepped forward.

"Weel? What're we waitin' fer ya buncha wee big loots?" It lifted a tiny fist, "T'day is a verra good da' for somebody else ta die!"

As if by chance, a patrol of humans arrived at exactly the moment when the little congress broke up. They were faced with, variously, a variety of humanoids coming in at their own level, Goblins going for the knees, and various gnomes and Pictsies striking at ankle level, or eye level if they had found somebody taller to launch from.
It was not a moral boosting prospect.

By the time the riot spread to the surface many of those involved were armed with rifles and other ranged weaponry. Apparently there had been some neglect in terms of training for the mine guards, supposedly those who arrived here were 'pacified' already.
Clearly something was a bit lacking when the prisoners start to pacify back.

Before long, the entire mine complex was secure. The guards present were well equipped to deal with a minor uprising, but when every prisoner revolts even the most secure and well-guarded prison is going to have issues.
It didnt take long before another meeting was called, because, in the words of Biter:
"We'se be fuck'd if'we'se dun't getta plan a' dis point."

"Then we all agree, correct? We will seek to enlist others to our cause, freeing slaves as we go, and build our strength until we can assault Tiranoc?" It was a compromise between the natural hesitancy of the Elvish prisoners to launch an immidiate assault on the provincial capitol, and the desire of the various Goblinoid, Orkish, and other species wish to exact bloody revenge at the first opportunity.

"Ach! We'll tear th' scunners a newwun in thar heids!" The Pictsie, whose name was Wee Dangerous Spike, shouted, to a rousing chorus of "There can only be whin t'oosand!", amoung various other cries which inevitably result from any single Pictsie shouting something.

"Sounds good ta' me. I'se talk'd it o'va wit' da oders. Dey says i'sounds good ta dem." Biter nodded to the Goblins, who seemed almost as happy as the Pictsie's for the most part. It was often speculated that the two were somehow related. This was silly of course. The two species possessed entirly different physiology, even if their psychology was rather similar.

The others chimed in their support, apologized for incidents which occured hundreds of years ago involving their ancestors eating somebody elses ancestors, and generally made a good show of acting with solidarity.

Then the first jet flew over.

Then a four thousand pound bomb fuel air bomb burst over the group, incinerating them all. Those in charge knew what would happen if such a rebellion was allowed to grow, and the loss of a mining facility was a small price to pay compared to a mass slave uprising.

The incident was passed off as an 'Unfourtunate accident which cost the lives of nearly a hundred Sub-Human Control Agency employees. Thought to have been incurred as a result of the incompetence of the inferior races present in the facility."

But...one might say the damage was done.

It has been previously remarked that humans are capable of great feats of stupidity. Of course, this is not an exclusive human trait, but as the dominant race in the area they tended to be on the recieving end of most of the abuse.
However, the human government would seriously regret its lax policy enforcement in terms of 'inferior races' operating communication devices. Because shortly after the Tanith incident, a hundred or so non-humans went back to their barracks and informed their fellows of what had occured off in the mountains. These were, of course, city-dwellers. They werent quite so badly treated as those in the mines were. They got good food and a bed to sleep on, and werent kicked (much).
So, the opinions of those present was somewhat divided, resulting in a variety of opinions and, on occasion, riots.
The thing about riots is that they tend to spread if not properly contained right away. Especially when Goblins are involved.

Thus it was not long before a number of cities were in flames or well on their way to it. And since a number of non-human races have legends about 'red skies at night', things only got worse.

Sergeant Cain of the Vail Defence Forces was deeply upset. More upset than he had been in quite a long time.
The day had started out just fine. Get up, yell at the troopers, make sure things were operating smoothly and then settle down for a cup of coffee and, later, a smoke. Watch the football game, maybe.
Then alarms had started to go off and everybody was rushing around loading things into other things and yelling.
Next thing the sergeant was in an armoured car rolling out of the Defence Force complex and into a city which was rapidly sliding towards anarchy. He hadnt gotten far though, because a gang of Goblins were buisily planting explosives in the sewer system and collapsing roads across the city. His car had passed over such a bomb just as it exploded, burying it halfway in rubble, after which a bunch of the mangy creatures had scrabbled over it and up to the surface without giving Cain time to shoot them for their arrogance.
Goblins were supposed to be...stupid, werent they? They were supposed to blow themselves up and scream a lot.
Cain had held this opinion for a long time, but when a building fell across the street in front of his column and the Goblins in the apartments to the left and right had opened up with surpisingly accurate fire he quickly reformed his opinion. Goblins were a bunch of devious little bastards.
His change of opinion was, unfourtunatly, too late. This was because the sewer grate behind him opened up and a Goblin inserted a sharpened piece of rebar into his skull, and then slit his throat.

The Broken Dagger Clan had been kept in the city for more than a hundred years, used for just about everything humans didnt feel like doing. This meant that they had an almost supernatural knowledge of the sewers, alleys and various other methods of traversing the city without being noticed. It also meant ready access to materials which could, in the right combination, produce explosives.
They had also cultivated a reputation for being the stupidest Goblins on the planet. This was not hard. They generally avoided speaking English and took every order as literally as possible. This resulted in beatings of course, but Goblins are tough creatures. You have to be when you live life in a tunnel which may be inhabited by God knows what else.
They had also introduced a number of local officials to 'yellowgrist', which made you very happy for a short period of time, but also left you madly addicted and gradually ate away at your body.
In any case, being stupid often meant being ignored when you werent being 'used'. This meant time to slip away into the sewers, from which point this whole event had been organized. True, they werent QUITE ready, but with the chaos spreading everywhere else the stash of arms they had was more than enough. The Broken Daggers had anticipated a full blown military reaction, but it looked as though the human army was a bit busy elsewhere at this juncture, and the local defence forces were proving almost pitifully lacking in leadership and equipment.

It was a motly assembly that stormed the Highwater Defence Force's command station, armed with just about everything they could carry, spread out over at least six various species. The exact number of weapons and types would depend entirly on your interpretation of the term 'weapon'. For example, some people would consider the troll traveling with the group a weapon, especially when it smashed the rather imposing compound gates and ate the erstwhile guard.
A few members of the group were armed with things which dont normally count as weapons to the human psyche. A Pictsie carrying a pin does not LOOK threatening, until it leaps onto your face and gouges out your eyes before headbutting you to death.
The Elves were mostly armed in a 'dignified' fashion, that is, with guns. A number of humans were suprised that they werent wielding bows and arrows, but the Elves in question were quite good at giving the impression that guns were fine to.
After some time, they found what they were looking for in this compound.

"Point the camera this way, Krr'k, if you please."
"Dis way?"
"Nay, ya daf' scunner, a' th' Elf!"
"Dis way?"
"Yes. Thank you Krr'k..."
"Wass' this button do?"
"Thats the transmit button. If you would be so kind as to push i-"
CLICK
Bzzzzt
-as all'eady on, ye daft fool!"
"Yes, thank you."
(A long string of Aldh-Ghoblan)
"Krr'k, we are transmitting, if you please."
"Fine. Jus' keep dat fairy away from me."
"DUNNAE CALL OOS FAIRIES YE BA-"
"AHEM."
"I apologize. I am Mirima Autë, representative of the Free Republic of the Jade Star, and we are here to call on the other nations of the world for assistance.
It is unfourtunate that we have been driven to such measures, and indeed, we wish another course of action were possible but, alas, our former masters were reticent to even speak with us on equal terms, and all attempts at negotiation have been rebuffed with alacrity, and none of the delegate we dispatched when a truce was agreed to have ever returned in one piece.

Our time is short, but I beleive a brief history of the situation is required in order to put our situation into context.
For the last several centuries the various non-human races of this nation have been the virutal slaves of the 'superior' human population, although historical records are unclear it is beleived that the humans arrived just prior to this event, that is the enslavement of our peoples, in large numbers, and proceded to either play the various tribes and alliances already present off against each other, or to attack them from within.
I will not go into details, but you may well be able to guess what happened from the little I have told you already.
In any case, after these years of maltreatment and enforced servitude we have elected to take a course of action which we feel will allow us to establish our own nation, the Republic of the Jade Star. Unfourtunatly we have been forced to resort to military action, as the 'pro-rights' factions within the human government are so small as to be easily overwhelmed by the popular opinion that no race other than that of the human is fit to rule, or indeed, to have even the most basic rights and freedoms.
Therefore, we have launched an armed revolt.
It is our intention to drive any humans who do not submit to the authority of the Republic from our nation. Those agents of the former government who resist will be dealt with in the accepted fashion, and deleted. Those humans who accede to the authority of the Republic will, of course, be granted full citizenship and equal standing with any other citizen, of any race.

Our purpose in contacting other nations is to ask for assistance. On our own it may prove difficult to counter the superior numbers and armament of the human government. We can, of course, offer payment once we have secured our Republic's establishment.
Other than direct aid, political recognition would be appreciated, as granting legitimacy to our cause would make it much more difficult for our opponents to act in a manner not befiting a civilized opponent.

We, of course, thank you for your time, and any aid you see fit to provide.
Good day."

(OOC:
Not even a 'Go you'?
I am sadened :()

[OOC: Don't feel saddened. This is excellent. Keep going! (I'm sorry I can't join in, but I'm involved in too much at the present. Keep up with this, though).]

(OOC: Not even a 'Go you'? I am sadened :()
ooc: Well it has only been two hours. Sometimes these things take time, or don't get off the ground at all.

IC:
A letter was sent to the leading members of the goverment of The Jade Star, the official opposition, the other parties, the most reputable newspapers and television stations.

We are lodging an official protest on the treatment of certain 'second class' citizens within your nation. We would also request that those citizens be enfranchised and given all rights, privilages, and duties of all citizens of The Jade Star.

Furthermore, there shall be neither trade between us nor recognition of the goverment that claims power until this issue is addressed.

Prime Minister Verios
HIM Jason
Dominion of Theao

Ariga, SSRT

"In other news..." The Intellegince-Consortium director said nervously, he was a new guy... the last one had been executed yesterday. "There has been a huge slave uprising in the country of..." There was a shuffling of papers, "'The Jade Star'."

Premier Katerina was filing her nails, "Slaves, comrade? How abusive... we might as well show some support... what kind of slaves?"

"None-humans." The IC Director said.

Premier Katerina frowned, suddenly becoming more intent on her nail filing. There was a odd silence, then.

"Well we must establish formal relations with them... right?" She said, "I mean, it would look good to our none-human minority... we do have one correct?"

The Interior Minister nodded, "We do indeed. Mostly neko's, elves, pixies, some reports of fairies, a few orcs... oh, and those three vampires which we still think are left."

The vampires had become a hunted species before the current communist dictatorship rose to power, back when the nation was under control of the capitilists. They had been deemed 'too dangerous' by the former CDRT and hunted. The SSRT had decided to continue to kill them off.

"So we formally recognise this new Republic of Jade Star, and pressure their orginator to give in. Agreed?" The Premier said. The 'agreed' was hardly a nessecity, anybody who objected would undoubtly have been shot as a traitor.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM SSRT GOVERMENT
"We have noticed a new nation appear on the map, a nation of none-human species known as the Republic of Jade Star, or the RJS. We formally recognise this new goverment and demand that the originator nation ceases hostility with this new nation. Continued acts of aggression will result in SSRT intervention."
End Message

Prime Minister Verios of Theao,

We must question your motives in this case. We have been enslaved by the humans for over a century, and are seeking to liberate ourselves from that enslavement. While it is true that certain parties within the Republic wish to exterminate or enslave the humans, the official government stance has been made clear. Any human who willingly surrenders to the Republic will be treated as a full citizen.

Elandil Rushwood, Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Jade Star[/i]

---

The Republic thanks the Red Tide for their response and recognition.
Your political assistance is greatly valued by the Republic and its people.

---

The humanist government has made no official response, but fighting in various cities is continuing uninterrupted, the military has been mobilized and a number of columns of both infantry and armour have been sited moving to the worst trouble spots.

Dear Minster Rushwood

It appears that we may have run into a slight complication between intended results and viewed motives. Our letter was directed not at the leaders of the coup, but at the members of the goverment that were, through its actions, responsible for the revolution.

We do, however, find the requirements for citizenship within the new republic unjust and would like to offer a suggestion that only those who were members of the goverment, from whatever level, be required to submit rather than requiring a surrender from each human. Beside saving time, it also avoids personal humiliation that might engender resentment and eventually another revolution that would return it to the situation you seek to liberate your peoples from.

Prime Minister Verios

Prime Minister Verios of Theao,

An easy to understand mistake. The Republic of the Jade Star is a seperate entity from the humanist government. Currently they insist upon something like 'The Democratic Republics of Elseweyr' or some other title which assures everybody of their democratic habits.
We do not intend to make every single human sign a surrender document, group surrenders will be accepted. Unfourtunatly we cannot rely on the government officials to do what their people want, since they are inveriably the most xenophobic persons avalible.

Elandil Rushwood, Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Jade Star

Dear Minister Rushwood

We hope this small mistake has not greatly offended, and shall be certain to chastise the fact-finders for not finding all the facts first. That being said, provided that your goverment does not falter in its intended goal of equality and fall into a xenophobic cycle, we would like to congratulate you and offer our hand in greeting to the national and international stage.

Prime Minister Verios

PS. We would be interested in providing some aid, of a non-military, citizen based nature. What do you need?

Prime Minister Verios of Theao,
No offence has been taken. You may rest assured that the Republic will not condone or take part in any activity which would compromise its policy of equality.
At present any medical supplies or other non-combat assistance Theao could provide would be most welcomed. While medics themselves may be somewhat inneffective considering the varied physiology of the forces of the Republic, most medical equipment is fairly universal.

Elandil Rushwood, Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Jade Star

Minister Rushwood

I'm glad that the misunderstanding has been cleared up with such ease. We shall endevor to ensure necessary supplies to ensure the wellbeing of your people shall be delivered. Perhaps after the dissension that is facing Jade Star is resolved, further relations can be explored.

Prime Minister Verios

Prime Minister Verios of Theao,
It is said that neither Elves nor Goblins are a grudge bearing people. Elves live too long to conern themselves with such fleeting interests, and Goblins cant waste time on them.
In any case, perhaps the Theao would wish to send a delegate to our party in Altanar? It would be a good chance for our nations to establish better relations on a face to face basis.

Minister Elandil Rushwood

Minister Rushwood

That is a most viable solution, and a delegation shall indeed be sent. We wish that your party is a success as well as your other endevors.

Prime Minister Verios

The Kingdom of Altanar
1 Aerie Way, Ael Khalas 003018

Official Statement of the King

Having become aware of the state of affairs befalling the people of the Republic of the Jade Star, we deplore the unfortunate violence that is occurring and urge that both sides seek to negotiate an end to the conflict, in order to prevent unnecessary loss of life. We would be more than willing to assist in such an effort.

We also urge both sides to recognize that all individuals in their nation, regardless of what their species is, are equally worthy of protection and rights under the law. That being stated, we support the Republic of the Jade Star in their efforts to achieve a state of equality in their nation.

- HRH King Aelkyn of Altanar

(OOC:
Not even a 'Go you'?
I am sadened :()

OCC: Take heart Jade, your storyline is excellent. Sorry I just found it myself just a moment ago. Kormanthor is Future Tech but I have another country called Koramerica who I will post here with soon.

ooc: I'll be back jade, just noticed I had to go do something, I can RP some ships bringing in those supplies if you want, but before I do, I would need to know what kind of resistance I would meet. What kind of enemy ships or something.

OCC: Hello Jade we finally made it back, we offer aid and a new home to those whom don't wish to stay in your new country. Or we could send diplomats to try to work this out between the factions.

(OOC:
Kor: Go for it, the Republic would be only too happy to dispose of its repressionists :P
I dont think the human goverment would be interested in negotiations though, theyve had the non-humans as slaves for quite some time.

Delesa:
Modern-ish ships, aircraft, maybe a submarine or two. Its a fairly effective blockade, so the ships would have to be fast and small or big enough to shrug off modern weapons. Dont happen to have an SD or two, do ya? ;))

IC:

JSNN, News from the Front

We interrupt your regular programming (not that there is any now) to bring you this special report on the war effort.
Reports have been coming in of a mass slave revolt in the Goblin city of Soditallagain, where the Crimson Fang and Twisted Spear clans have set aside their previous differences and combined forces to take the city and its valuable production facilities.
Current reports indicate that Goblin forces are holding the cities two main factories and its chief foundry. The factories produce, respecivly, rifles and gun barrels for tanks. Both are apparently almost compleatly undamaged.
We go to reporter Nurk in the field.
(click)
"DIE YA BASTID'S! DIE!"
(Machine gun fire)
"Oh, you still movin'? O'o told ya tha' ya could move, eh?"
(Single shot is fired)
"Errr...Nurk?"
"Oh, is dis fing on now? Lemme get da lenscap off. Dere ya go."
(The cameras lenscap is removed to reveal the Goblin reporter, wielding what appears to be a light machine gun of some sort, which he holds one handed despite the fact that the weapon is nearly the same height as him.)
"Err...we'se 'ere in da fact'ries a' Soditallagain, an' dese humie basti'ds is tryin' ta take 'em back frum us. An' we'se shootin' 'em."
(The camera moves in close to the Goblins eye, until it fills the entire screen)
"Any quest'chuns in dere?"
"Nurk, ladies, gentlemen and creatures of indeterminate sex. Soditallagain is an ancient city built on the old Goblin plan of 'dig tunnels everywhere', but the basic layout divides it into roughly twenty 'levels', each about a mile in length, and a hundred or so yards in width, although this varies from room to room and level to level of course. Currently Goblin forces occupy every room below level twelve, and several isolated areas above that. From what we gather the human defenders are mostly composed of local police units armed with weapons from the factories housed in the shipping areas, although we have been told that a light military presence has been detected."
"Moving on, fighting on the Eastern Isles peaked today, with forces from the Republican Army landing on the beaches of the three remainging islands. The remaining human strongholds on those islands have held out since the war started, acting as a staging point for raids against Republican forces in the rear. With their capture the army should be able to redirect significant numbers to the main front. Significant help has been provided by the local Goblin tribes without whose gallant efforts no amount of regulars could have made this progress."
"And our last item regards a daring raid by the joint forces of 'Da Green Boyz' (currently the only organized Ork regiment of the Republican army) and the 12th Rushwood Rangers (An Elven special operations detachment), against the port city of Smyrna."
"Last night at approximatly 2320 both groups landed approximatly five miles north of the city, before stealthily moving southward and overtaking the outer defences without alerting the cities defenders. They then proceded to stage an assault upon the ports shipyard, siezing two frigates, a cruiser and a submarine, as well as a cargo ship in the process of taking on an armoured company. As if this were not enough the Rangers managed to scuttle two additional ships and cripple six."
"Not only is this a historic operation, the first time in recorded history that Elves and Orks have acted together, it has proved to be an amazingly successful operation. The Republican Army has formed its first full armoured company composed of the 8 tanks already loaded on the cargo ship supplimented with already serving models, as well as bringing the total armoured strength of the Republic up to one hundred and six tanks, most of which are currently in the hands of Goblins due to their near-immidiate siezure of the human arms dumps and staging areas, which they usually maintained."

"This is JSNN, bringing you the news as it happens."

ooc: SD?

Delesa;12203936']ooc: SD?
ooc: Superdreadnaughts

ooc: Superdreadnaughts

ooc: ah yes, well ofcourse I do, but even better I have my new Leo Capital Class Battleship. Battleship you say? Why yes, larger then the Iowa, but a million times more modern. The first ship built is haveing it's baptism of fire in another RP.

(OOC:
As you will, Im pretty open minded when it comes to people coming in. Just as long as you dont land 50,000,000 troops in Veruna and destroy the Republican government in a single swift blow I'm generally good :P
Sorry I missed a few days, time constraints reduced my posting time.)

IC:
Few people in the world would have been able to avoid staring at the armoured column passing on the ridgeline above the Kerch valley, at least, if they had been close enough to see the various peoples driving the armour.
At the head of the column was one of the Eastern Elves, somewhat distinct from their mainland comrades in that their generally less human apperance, most obviously their longer ears and almost-blank eyes. This particular Elf was wearing what appeared to be a combination of ancient Elven battle dress and a modern military uniform. Apparently the helmet had given it some trouble, because it wasnt wearing one. Islanders tended to be sensitive about their ears anyway. The T-72 it stands astride lending its own voice to the glaring anachronisms present in the picture.
Behind this were ranged a variety of fighting vehicles from just about every era of armoured warfare, including a heavily modified Mk IV of the 'male' varient, apparently crewed by Goblins and decked out with the latest in modern equipment, including what appeared to be a hastily added T-62 turret. How precisly this monstrosity was keeping up with the modern tanks is a mystery, but Goblins are known for their skill in such matters. Two similar constructions are also visible in the line.
The rest of the tanks appear to be of a more standard sort, six other T-72's and a Challenger, crewed by mostly by Elves.
Running alongside the column...well...put politly as possible Ork vehicles make Goblin tanks look like works of art. Mostly they appear to be modified dune buggies, built around the principal that speed, firepower, and the natural resilience of Orks (perhaps obtained by years of driving around in such vehicles) will make up for the lack of armour and, indeed, suspension. Most of these are two-seaters, housing a driver and a gunner manning whatever weapon looked meanest at the time of construction. A few of the others are, as the Orks put it, 'trukkz', essentially troop transports, only with more guns.
Closer inspection of the individual Orks tends to reveal a prefrence for 'choppas' over firearms. What precisely a choppa is is often a subject of debate, but it is generally accepted to be a sharp piece of metal on the end of a stick. They also tended to be roughly the size of the average human torso and covered in spikes, skulls, and whatever else the Ork in question thought would make it look 'more dakka', 'dakka' being an untranslatable word meaning something along the lines of 'good at killing stuff', but also used as a warcry and something to shout when one was angry.

This little convoy was moving in response to a series of events in the wavering Elseweyrian government, which had culmenated in a bit of a revolution.

The streets of Smyrna were crowded with people, huge crowds thronged in the streets waving all manner of objects, clashing with riot police and paramilitary units across the city. One of the quirks of the Elseweyrian nation was its ethnic diversity, when one has a target as obvious as Goblins it is easier to live in peace with your fellow man, no matter their skin colour. Now this unity was paying off for the Republic, in that instead of ethincally-based riots where neighborhoods and races sought to take revenge for the death of a village donkey a thousand years ago, they all united.
The issue at hand was, apparently, a lack of security. A bunch of Elves and Orks had walked right into the harbour and taken half the ships stationed there and blown up most of the rest. This was a bit of an issue in the minds of most.
And, as if to place a proverbial finger on the scales of the Mob, rumours had begun to circulate that few of the cities in the Republic had been touched, and those that had suffered little damage thanks to the efforts of local militia and regulars, something which could not be said of Smyrna at this point, with its smoking ruin of a city hall and somewhat abused police stations.
One thing did unite the crowds though, most of them had scraps of green cloth tied around their arms. It was generaly reasoned that if Elseweyr wouldnt protect its own citizens, then the Republic was the next best thing.

And Smyrna wasnt the only place.



General Aleksi was a very unhappy man. He was unhappy because of the map.
This map showed his country, or what he viewed as his country. A casual observer would have thought it very cheerfully coloured, but to those in the room, it was grave news. Swathes of green covered more than half the map, six major cities in their own territory had green X's on them and some unpleasant bulges were forming on the wrong side of the lines.

"What can we do, general?" This was Minister 'George'. Apparently he didnt have a real name. Precisely what he was minister of was unclear was well, but the Primier valued him, it seemed.

"At this rate? The sub-humans are going to be in the capitol by the end of the month, at most. We could prevent this by drawing forces from either the cities or the front lines, but that will cost us one or the other. We are bogged down in a thousand battles against Goblins while the Elves and Orks mount heavy assaults that punch through what remaining defences we have like paper."

"Are you advocating...surrender?"

Ah, the old classic. How many times had that line been uttered in rooms such as this across the ages? George managed it quite well though. He even managed to get the eye-glint right. Not many people can make their eyes glint correctly.
"No, Minister, it is not my job to make political descisions. However, a strategic withdraw may be in order."

"Oh, so you merely think we should run away from a mob of greenskins and pointy-eared nature worshippers?"

"There arent many Elves who follow the old religion anymore, Minister."

"Do I look like a cultural attache? No? Then tell me something useful."

"Sir. If we pull back we can concentrate our forces here," Aleksi indicated a valley, "here," a mountain pass, "And in defence of the capitol. We beleive this will be the target of their main thrust, and, if we can blunt that, a counterattack should be possible. Meanwhile enough forces can remain in these cities to at least prevent the revolutionaries from siezing full control." Drawing his finger across the map, Aleksi indicated a wide arch, "If we can hold this line, then we have access to Smyrna and a few ports on the Western coast, with those, we can counterattack behind their lines to distract them."

The minister looked skeptical, "And how will the few soldiers we have left to spare from this little effort be able to 'distract' them, exactly?"

Aleksi smiled, "You dont know, do you? Orks will invariably attack whatever enemy is nearest, this goes for strategic engagements as well as tactical. We can draw off their best fighters and then only have the Elves to deal with, although the Goblins may be a pro-"

The door burst open and an army private came rushing through, gasping for breath, "E-excuse me sirs, i-its a message from S-smryna!"

Aleksi's grin faded. Only one thing...

"Colonal Istvan...says that the city is under heavy attack, an armoured column from the Jade Star. The attack was preceded by widespread guerilla attacks by Goblins and human revolutionaries and...sir, they...reports are that they burned the museum, sir."

A hard blow...the Beachead Museum was built on the site of the first human settlement on Elseweyr, and housed many of the artifacts of the early days of human occupation. Aleski was not stupid though...Istvan was a devious type, quite capable of setting fire to the place himself to incite pro-human factions.
"Tell him that we are sending support, but not to expect too much. The northern offensive is pushing us hard as it is."



Smyrna was a different place, and certainly less hospitable than it had been in the morning.
The first warning the defenders had to the attack was a series of explosions perpetrated by the guerillas already in their city, blowing the cities lines of communication and most of its more powerful radios. The few places still broadcasting were spewing Republican propeganda non-stop.
Then the power had gone out. And then the guards outside the colonels residence had vanished. He had only looked away from the window for a second and they were both gone.
Istvan had no doubts as to their fate. Fourtunatly the mansions windows were all equipped with solid steel shutters and bars, more than capable of standing up to anything the savages could bring to bear, and it had apparently deteered the little green beasts. Not one of them was in sight now.

clink clonk BUGGRIT clonk clonk

The colonel froze, his gaze slowly fixing itself on an air vent.

CLANG clinkclink CLONK bstfrd clonk

Those...here?
The colonel, very quietly, swore as virulently as he knew how, and cursed whoever had designed this place security for not thinking to install a grate over the air intakes.
(Actually, there had been a grate over the intakes, and the drain pipes, and razor wire around the top of the roof. Also on the roof were three very small welding torches and a pair of wire cutters.)
Moving swiftly and stealthily, Istvan found his way to his homes panic room. Not even those blue devils would be able to find their way in HERE!
He sealed the door.

"Ach, did ye see th' bigjobs runnin' fer it? Like a wee boony."

"Aye, tha' he did. Noo lets ge' 'im. Oi wanna get soom lootin' in a'fore we 'ave'tae go."

"Lootin'? Wha' aboot th' fightin'? An' the Drinkin'!"

"Yoou daft scunner, we can do those back hoome! Ye cannae loot from yer oon house though! And there ain't nuffin' tae drink 'roond here anyway. Th' last buggers musta' took i' all."

Actually, Istvan didnt drink. Such a thought would not have occured to the Feegles, and if it had it would have filled them with horror.

"Can we a' least smash soomfin'?"

"This basta'ds nose, mebbe."

Six tiny figures detached themselves from the shadows across the hall from the hidden door to the panic room in which Istvan had cloistered himself. To his horror, there was a tiny knock.

"Oi! Are yoou tha' Istvan bugger?"

(OOC:
Kor: Go for it, the Republic would be only too happy to dispose of its repressionists :P
I dont think the human goverment would be interested in negotiations though, theyve had the non-humans as slaves for quite some time.

Delesa:
Modern-ish ships, aircraft, maybe a submarine or two. Its a fairly effective blockade, so the ships would have to be fast and small or big enough to shrug off modern weapons. Dont happen to have an SD or two, do ya? ;))


http://usera.imagecave.com/Kormanthor/stardest3.jpg

As a matter of fact, since you mentioned it ... I do :D But I wouldn't use them against a modern tech world.




http://usera.imagecave.com/Kormanthor/seaphantom_blue_sea.jpg

But I think this might do the job! It's my new Coral Skimmer

ooc: Superdreadnaughts

OCC: Sorry when I posted as Kormanthor I was thinking FT SD or Star Destroyer. :headbang: