NationStates Jolt Archive

Presidential Meeting Chambers, Ebon Tor, Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime

Secret IC
President Holden Reid walked around the massive dark oak wood table surrounded by chairs, a few of which had individuals seated in them as the president turned to the group and spoke to them as he tossed a paper folder onto the table, allowing its contents to spill out like innards from a disemboweled gut, "Sir Alistair Davidson of British Londinium," He said, cutting himself off in anger, "How long has this maniac been causing trouble around the world?" He asked rhetorically, each of the advisers in the room knowing better than to attempt an answer. "What I wouldn't give for the opportunity to glass that fucking rock into oblivion."

His secretary of state and defence, Sacha Novoselic and Heidi Ghoddard, shot conflicting looks from across the table as Ghoddard spoke up, "Mister President, we are more than capable of eliminating that nation, wiping it from the face of the planet... It is those who are less..." She paused before shooting a glance at Novoselic and continuing, "...motivated who wish to avoid such a move on the Republic's part."

"Any move against this warmonger, no matter how justified, will only harm our relations with the other nations of Gholgoth!" Exclaimed Novoselic, "It would be insane to undermine our regional comrades in such a move, we would lose respect from the leaders and people of Gholgoth--"

Reid cut him off mid-sentence, his own face red, "What respect?" He shouted, "What relations exist between us and our supposed Gholgothic brothers other than pure traditionalist bullshit?" He said breathing heavily, "Would Gholgoth even notice if we were to disappear, we wouldn't even have to deploy troops to the coming operations of defence against the Questarian Commonwealth, the Freeks will enjoy the company of their NATO allies, here at home, the Panterans and the Ardans of the old guard will take the honour that is rightfully ours in defending the Freeksih homelands while Dreadfire and is prancing about Doomingsland with his hordes?"

The secretary of state, caught off-guard by that tirade recomposed himself as he began to speak again, "And how exactly do we go about this crusade of yours, Holden, hmm?" He asked as he drummed his fingers against the table, "You know full well that any aggressive actions we take against British Londinium will bring forth a number of alliances against our own nation, the Corporate Alliance, the Global Defence Initiative, of which we ourselves are members of already, along with anyone else who believes our operations are in the wrong."

"We won't be in the wrong, Herr Novoselic," The politician was interrupted by an unfamiliar voice as a uniformed man entered the chambers, he removed his cap and set it at the end of the table as he remained standing, "If we convince the world that Sir Davidson is a monster, few will wish to stand with him against our forces, even fewer still if we can convince them that the Eurasians are less than worthy of life," Explained the man, whose uniform could be seen displaying the insignia of the Republic's Sichernstaffel Security Force.

The president turned to the newcomer, "Ahh, General Hauser, how splendid it is to have you wish us tonight," He said as he returned to the table and remained standing, "What do you have for us?"

"A plan, gentlepeople," He started, "A plan to eliminate a leader and an entire nation so bent on violence and barbarism that it has no rightful place in a civilized world. The Eurasians cannot be dealt with like normal human beings, they do not respond to diplomacy or reason, they follow the word of their leaders like gospel and never think to question it for their benefit. Therefore, it is up to us to set an example to the world, it is time for the Republic to scratch out this problem."

"And how do you plan on initiating this?" Asked Novoselic.

"My good Sacha, it has already begun," Hauser said with a smile, bearing his white teeth from the shadow of his black uniform.
Secret IC finished.

----------

Three kilometres inside British Londinium territorial waters

The RNS Rebecka was a former medium sealift cargo ship constructed within a family of hundreds for the Aequatian Republic Merchant Marine until she was purchased by the Navy five years into her life and had been serving as a maritime technical research vessel. Any articles available to the public via the internet would have touted it as an espionage ship used for monitoring and on some occasions, jamming, communications of unfriendly nations, although its true nature was only revealed by the Aequatian Republic Navy in its constant denial of its involvement in spying on other nations and explained in official documents that the Rebecka was used for research of the Earth's magnetic field and nothing sinister.

The ship's skipper, Navy Commander Kristen Hillsten, stood on the deck as she nodded to her communications operator, Chief Petty Officer David Eagles as he started the recorded transmission, broadcasting on the ship's distress signal that the engines had died and the ship was adrift.

Over sixty kilometres away in international waters, cruised the aircraft carrier RNS Europa as she underwent her post-refit cruise with her usual air wing aboard. Despite receiving the "distress" call from the Rebecka, they were under orders not to respond until its E-2F Hawkeye II airborne early warning aircraft had determined that aircraft had taken off from British Londinium towards the "striken" ship, at that point, it would issue a warning to the Eurasians and launch its own rescue effort.

OOC: B.L., I'm hoping to get something of a realistic reaction to this incident.

OOC: Bump.

OOC: This thread makes me sad... Why, Aequatio, why!?!

RSPCGS Agrippa
Northolt Coast Guard Base

Senex, un karakir Aequatii aca forti vues litus, reported one of the officers onboard the Londinian Coast Guard cutter. Illo télégrapaceti un segnalato iuparti.
(Sir, an Aequatian vessel is off our coast; it's broadcasting a distress call.)

Abantaya le risposta estendre, ordered the captain.
(Go ahead and give them the standard response.)

As the ship's engines came to life, the following signal was sent to the Rebecka:

This is the Londinian coast guard. We are engaging in an intercept course. Do not deviate from your present heading. Please reply with a damage report.

OOC: Aequatio's an evil nation now, 'nuff said.

Commander Kristen Hillsten smiled at the response they had received and ordered the engineers to fill the port side ballasts in order to create the illusion that the ship was suffering from a list and for the "crew" to assemble on the top decks to await the arrival of the coast guard vessel. A message was sent in reply to the Londinians, informing them that one of the ship's diesel engines had suffered a "catastrophic accident" and that they were taking on water, of course there was nothing of the sort aboard the Rebecka, but if they were to board to investigate, it would bring them through the SIG/ELINT collection stations and equipment aboard the vessel. All that was required now was to wait for the coast guard cutter to approach the ship, Hillsten looked out over the water from the bridge as she took a drink from her tea.

OOC: It's "Londinian", btw.

Captain Aiken, of the Agrippa, watched as the Rebecka listed in the warm waters of the Pacific. Nearby, a group of seals barked at the cutter - a good omen, foretelling success. Now that the cutter was right next to the Aequatian vessel, the captain began to instruct the foreign mariners through a megaphone.

"This the Londinian Coast Guard Cutter Agrippa," he blared. "We are in the process of extending a walkway over to your vessel. Slowly walk over it and wait for further instruction on our deck."

OOC: Righto, fixed and noted for later.

The crew followed the directions from Captain Aiken as they filed across the walkway and onto the deck of the Agrippa, totalling at a number of forty two personnel, including eight officers. Commander Hillsten was the final Aequatian across, she stepped down onto the deck of the cutter as she looked back at the ensign flying at the stern of the Rebecka. She turned to one of the guardsmen and asked, "I wish to speak with your boat's skipper, discuss what is to happen with my vessel."

"One minute, ma'am," replied the young woman ushering the foreign crew aboard the cutter. She grabbed a radio from her belt, quickly muttered a few words in Volscian, and replaced it in her pocket. Within minutes, Captain Aiken was on the deck. He reached out to shake the hand of Hillsten.

"Welcome aboard, ma'am. A tugboat is en route currently; your vessel will be towed back to Northolt Harbour for standard repairs. You are free to remain in Northolt proper to supervise the operations, or we can arrange for transport back to your homeland and have a skeleton crew bring it back to Aequatio."

Hillsten took Aiken's handshake before she spoke, "As per usual A.R.N. procedures, my crew and I must remain with the vessel to secure the... sensitive nature of the vessel's systems. The Republic must protect its technologies, you know. I must get in contact with our command, inform them as to our situation and see what their orders are."

OOC: Would the surveillance ship been collecting data from my country?

Aiken nodded. "Feel free to do so once on land."

The tugboats latched on to the Aequatian vessel and began the journey back to port.

OOC: Half-correct, the ship has SIG/ELINT collection equipment, but the databases would be "emtpy" as to seem as though they had been erased before the ship was rescued.

The crew kept in tight groups on the deck as they chatted and smoked cigarettes, they remained up top as the weather was calm and the journey would be short to the mainland as Command Hillsten joined her executive officer and staff, frustrated with the Londinian captain for refusing her access to FLEETCOM, despite knowing that the Europa's commanders would have been tracking the movements of the ships. "Once they find that ELINT equipment, all hell will break loose," She thought as she took a cigarette from one of the lieutenants and lit it, looking over at the Rebecka as it was taken under tow.

Northolt Harbour
Coast Guard Repair Facilities

"Okay, guys, let's see what the damage is," said Captain Aiken, affixing his surgical mask to his face as he led the repair crew into the vessel. The blue-and-orange uniformed men briskly headed off to the engine room, scouring it for any trace of damage. Flashlights illuminated every corner, gloved hands inspected each of the vessel's diesel engines. Systems were checked and double-checked. Regardless, the search served only to befuddle the repair crews.

"Sir, I can't see an apparent damage to the engines," shouted one of the workers.

"Yeah," chimed in another. "They all ran like clockwork."

"Scour every single corner of this vessel. We're going to get to the bottom of this, damn it," shouted Aiken back. Minutes later he got his answer. One of the enlisted men discovered the sailing ballasts on the port side of the vessel had all been full.

"Fucking noobs. Can't bloody sail," muttered Aiken. He proceeded to the bridge, and found something completely different than what he expected. Instead of the mundane setting of a cargo ship's bridge, he found some of the most sophisticated surveillance equipment available on the market.

***

Texron Pearl Tower
Norholt

The Londinian government had been extremely generous to the Aequatian sailors, lodging them in a luxury hotel in the downtown area of the city, rather than a detention compound. After all, the mariners were from a friendly nation who had, at one point, been allied with the country under the auspices of the GASN. Twelve military policemen marched into the hotel, armed with silenced MP5 submachine guns. Police squad cars surrounded the hotel to ensure that the mariners did not escape.

A muscular fist pounded on the door of the captain's suite. When she opened it, she would find a pair of handcuffs waiting for her.

Commander Hillsten opened the door, expecting the arrival of her room service order when she was greeted by the pair of military policemen, another pair behind them with their MP5 carbines at the ready as the arrest procedure continued as she was placed in the handcuffs and led downstairs to the lobby and outside, along with the other members of the Rebecka's crew. Luckily, before the arrival of the Londinian MPs, the Navy officer had secretly placed a call to an automated answering service and left a message for the Sicherndienst agents that would allow them to know that the ship had been picked up by the Londinians and that the systems aboard the vessel would have been discovered. Within thirty minutes, President Reid and his advisors would also be aware of the coming storm and prepared for it.

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Hillsten receives life sentence in espionage case

An Aequatian naval commander, Kristen Hillsten, has been found guilty on one charge of espionage by the Londinian High Court.

Ms Hillsten has received a life-long sentence at the Llantrisa Penal Institution in Amalfi.

The High Court found that the presence of wiped electronic surveillance equipment onboard the RNS Rebecka, the vessel under her command, in addition to willful acts of deception to Northolt Coast Guard authorities, and Ms Hillsten's refusal to cooperate during the proceedings was sufficient to condemn the commander to a life-term.

The surveillance gear was discovered when Captain Josef Aiken led a repair crew into the Rebecka after the spy ship transmitted a distress call.

"We found her adrift, listing about three kilometres away from the harbour. We were told that there was an engine failure," Mr Aiken recounted. "When we went to investigate, we found the spy stuff."

Soon after, Ms Hillsten was arrested by the Londinian Security Service (LSS) and turned over to the Ministry of Justice for prosecution. Justice Minister Andrew Swan personally prosecuted the case, stating earlier that "British Londinium will not stand for foreign espionage". He went on to assure the public that "justice would be swift, righteous, and without mercy".

Despite a unanimous guilty verdict, Ms Hillsten remains in LSS custody.

"We have a number of issues to resolve in this case before Hillsten can be transferred to a civilian facility," Sir Adad Zimmermann, LSS director stated in a press conference. "For instance, we have yet to determine why her vessel fabricated an engine failure and emitted a distress call, all of which served to 'blow their cover'."

Ms. Hillsten has refused to comment to the LBG at this time, and nothing has been heard yet from the Aequatian government.

Story from LBG NEWS:
http://news.lbg.co.rsp/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/bl_news/8458140.stm

Published:03:53:02 LST

© LBG MMIX

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RNS Rebecka Seized by Londinian Authorities, Crew Interned

Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime - It was known by the President's office this morning that Navy Commander Kristen Hillsten, commanding officer of the RNS Rebecka Technical Research Vessel, was arrested and tried in British Londinium under the charge of espionage, she was found guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment. There has been no mention of the fate of the remaining ship's crew.

The Aequatian government has called for the immediate release of Commander Hillsten along with the crew of the Rebecka and the vessel itself for repatriation to Aequatio, citing that the charges laid against them are false.

The Rebecka was commissioned as a technical research vessel and was used for observing and studying the magnetic field of the Earth. Earlier this week, while operating in international waters nearby British Londinium she was approached and then she and her crew were seized by the Northolt Coast Guard.

President Holden Reid has called for a diplomatic solution to the situation, but says that the capture and internment of Aequatian servicemembers is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any form. He also said that if diplomacy fails he will take other measures to release the Aequatian sailors. When asked what other measures he refused to answer directly if military action was a possibility.

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BL holds ground in Hillsten row

After protests from the Aequatian government regarding the Rebecka incident, the Londinian government is still maintaining the stance that the ship was a spy vessel intruding in Londinian waters.

"We sympathize with the Aequatian people's desire to see the return of their citizens," Justice Minister Andrew Swan commented. "But we must balance that with our own need to maintain the rule of law and see justice done."

In a bid to disprove claims of the Rebecka's innocence, the Londinian government produced satellite photographs of the vessel inside the waters, as well as video footage from a shore-based lighthouse showing the Rebecka listing a mere three kilometres away.

However, in a gesture of goodwill, the Londinian government released the vessel as well as the crew, though Commander Hillsten remains in custody.


Story from LBG NEWS:
http://news.lbg.co.rsp/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/bl_news/8458140.stm

Published:03:53:02 LST

© LBG MMIX

OOC: The Rebecka was only three kilometres inside the waters, not from the shoreline.

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President Calls Londinian Offer "...an insult and unacceptable."

Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime - The President's office called the Londinian offer of returning the RNS Rebecka and its crew, sans its skipper, Navy Commander Kristen Hillsten, "A despicable act and the offer nothing more than an insult and unacceptable." President Reid was quoted to say and personally demanded the return of Commander Hillsten, "The Aequatian citizenry will not tolerate the imprisonment of its own people and will call upon us, the government and the military, to return Commander Hillsten with any means necessary."

The Office of Naval Intelligence in Rhanda, Neo Aequatius has investigated the photographs released by the Londinian government and has claimed that they are "...little more than elaborate fabrications to support their false claims." Citing the use of imaging software to alter photographs of the vessel within the confines of international waters. The office also released their own images, provided by an Air Force surveillance satellite overhead at the time which were marked with the time to show the Rebecka outside of Londinian territorial waters.

Secret IC:
Office of First Citizen, Drasgard, Olmedreca

Head of Military Intelligence general Ernst Tormilind entered the room:
"Good morning, Vesse."

Vesse Põhjakotkas, First Citizen of Olmedreca answered:
"Good morning Ernst, take a seat, now what the hell is going on with that British Londonium again? I am getting tired of that how this nation constantly seems to get in some shit."

Tormilind sat and said:
"Well, Aequatio ship RNS Rebecka, officially a research ship, claimed to have some engine problems and sent distress call, Londonians claim that they found a lots of spy stuff on ship. Londonians claim that ship was in their waters, Aequatio denies it. Currently dispute is about captain of the ship Kristen Hillsten, who was sentenced to life-long imprisonment by Londonium, Aequatio demands her release."

"Well, British Londonium is in our fucking backyard, I am sure we also had some satellites in area. I do not trust neither those Londonian socialists nor Aequatians from Gholgoth. We can only trust our own eyes in this matter, find out on which side of border ship actualy was. This smells like some kind of provocation. Also what intelligence believes, is that Rebecka spy ship or not?"

"Satellite images are already being checked, we should have answer soon. I would say that there is about 75% probability that it is spy ship, and whole thing is provocation of Aequatians, Londonium does not seem to be in position to initiate armed conflict with them."

"Alright, keep up good job, I want to be informed about all developments in this event. Also inform other members of Supreme War Council, this shit may start causing serious problems."

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MoJ considers Hillsten release

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Justice Minister Andrew Swan announced at a press conference this morning that his office was considering a repatriation of Commander Hillsten.

"We remain convinced that she willfully committed espionage," Mr Swan stated. "But, regardless, the law must have some humanity. If Commander Hillsten were to make an official apology, and agree to not enter Londinian waters again, we would be more than willing to return her to Aequatio."

Consul Sir Alistair Davidson called for Aequatio to "be reasonable", citing "several years of good relations that should not be tarnished by one incident".

Story from LBG NEWS:
http://news.lbg.co.rsp/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/bl_news/357102.stm

Published: 11:53:02 LST

© LBG MMIX

OOC: Olmedreca: Kristen = woman's name. ; )

Secret IC
President Reid and Secretary of Defence Ghoddard sat in the president's office as they discussed the ongoing incident and the latest developments coming from British Londinium.

"The entire thing is a farce, they are afraid of any move we make towards war," Said Ghoddard as she sipped her coffee, "But do they not realize that Hillsten will never agree to issue that apology willingly?"

"We can't lose face in this matter, maintain that we're not apologizing for something which we said had not occurred," Said the president as he crushed out a cigarette and lit a new one, "Davidson's calling on us to be reasonable, but I doubt he even believes that."

"I'll issue a statement and speak with the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Donald South, that we aren't prepared to apologize for anything and to prepare the Europa for strike missions, to show the Londinians that we mean business if they'll continue to be fresh with us."

"Excellent," Said Reid as he leaned back in his chair, "That is most excellent to hear."

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DOD and Navy Rebuffs Londinians

Magna Casa, Aequatius Prime - In a press conference today in the capital, Secretary of Defence Hiedi Ghoddard, along with a spokeman for the office of the Chief of Naval Operations, said that neither the Navy or Commander Hillsten would offer any apology for an event they say was a "mere fabrication" to embarrass the Aequatian Republic and its military.

"The vessel in question (Rebecka) was never in Londinian waters, she was seized outside of their jurisdiction and expect an apology from us?" Ghoddard was quoted during the press conference, "We expect nothing but the full repatriation of Commander Hillsten and an apology from the Londinian government, Ministry of Justice, the Northolt Coast Guard and Sir Alistair Davidson himself for the incident.

It was at this time as well that the spokeman for the Navy had made mention of the Fleet Carrier RNS Europa's current position nearby Londinian waters and that it would change course from its post-refit cruise and be placed in a position 40 kilometres from the edge of Londinian waters as a "measure of insurance."

----------

Meanwhile, despite only being able to follow the world new services sporadically from her cell, Hillsten remained vigilant in following the orders presented to her when she was offered the "command" of the Rebecka. Its former commanding officer had been sent away on leave to see his family and Hillsten hastily put in his place with a fabricated Navy service record before the vessel was put to sea, only Hillsten herself, her manager and operations team knew her as an operative for the Sicherndienst or Security Service formed of the infrastructure of the older Aequatian Republic Intelligence Agency and of her true mission. Soon enough, her role in the play would end and that event would allow her beloved Republic to initiate its mission, no matter the cost.

##OPEN DIPLOMATIC TRANSMISSION
##TO: All Nations
##ENCRYPTION: None

Re: The Rebecka Incident

This office cannot help but note that the Londinian government sentenced Miss Hillsten to life in prison without allowing the Aequatian government to speak on the issue. Traditionally, when a foreign citizen is caught committing a crime on your soil or within territorial waters, it is considered prudent to speak with the foreign government in question to get to the bottom of things.

British Londinium is lucky that the Aequatian government did not regard Davidson's treatment of Miss Hillsten to be an act of war. Regardless of the contents of the vessel, a good faith attempt to contact the Aequatian government should have been made before trying and sentencing her. Furthermore, we cannot help but notice that the trial (if there actually was one) was lightning-quick and did not allow even so much as Aequatian observers.

There exists the very real possiblity that every nation that is physically capable of spying on you is doing so, on account of the heinous and mindless actions of the British Londinan government in recent years. Detaining every one of them is a practical impossibility. If you want people to stop spying on you, then you could try not starting a new war every other month.

On these grounds and more Arda joins Aequatio in demanding the immediate release of Captain Hillsten.

--Tiloka Kit,
Foreign Minster of Arda
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Cabinet Assembly Chamber, Aedifices Parliamentarii, Kensington

"I just don't get it," muttered Minister of Justice Andrew Swan. "It doesn't make any sense."

Various ministers began to roll their eyes. They were fed up with the entire issue of the Hillsten case, and wanted nothing more than to forget about it completely. After all, they had a government to run, and couldn't care less about some insignificant prisoner.

"Look, Andrew," sighed Transport Minister Tommy Seymour. "We've got bigger fucking priorities than some stupid-ass espionage case."

"Silence, both of you," spat Sir Alistair as his cold, blue eyes narrowed in anger. "I do not convene these meetings so that you may bicker like little children. Am I understood?"

"Yes, sir," the Cabinet murmured in unison.

"Now, the Hillsten case is of utmost importance," he continued. "For the sole reason that it does not make sense. A spy ship enters our waters, then fakes an engine failure, and broadcasts a distress call, almost begging the Coast Guard to discover their ELINT equipment. The defendant refuses to take part in her own trial. The Aequatians refuse our offer to return the crew. I suspect an ulterior motive, one that spells out our doom. She is to be released, along with the crew, and you, Mr Swan, will personally apologize to her and to her government."

"What!?!?" Andrew cried. "You aren't serious, sir. You can't be."

"You will do it, Mr Swan," Sir Alistair articulated frigidly. "Or you will lose your post."

"As you command, Consul," Andrew said.

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The Socialist Kingdom of Kopparbergs

Official statement from the Kingdom

We are strongly condemning the espionage on British Londinium made by Aequatio.

Every nation has the right to defend their right to sovereignty, and to spy on another nation is not to respect their sovereignty. As a matter of fact – that's clearly violating the other nations sovereignty, and many times war has been started for reasons like this.

We demand Aequatio to officially apologize to British Londinium, and also compensate British Londinium for their expenses in this affair.

This whole thing, to be honest, surprises us and is very badly handled by the Aequatian authorities.

Åke Stålhandske
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
The Socialist Kingdom of Kopparbergs

To: Foreign Minister Tiloka Kit of Arda
From: President Holden Reid of Aequatio

We thank your nation for its support in the release of our people from the unlawful internment at the hands of the Londinians. We can only hope at this point they are wise enough to realize their mistake and perform the right act.

Signed,

Holden Reid,
President of Aequatio.

----------

To: Secretary of Foreign Affairs Åke Stålhandske of Kopparbergs
From: Secretary of State Sacha Novoselic of Aequatio

Your nation has no hand or knowledge of the ongoing incident in question and you would do best to hold your tongue, should your people wish to feel the lash of our military's whip against your flesh.

The RNS Rebecka is a technical research vessel and carries the necessary equipment for its current mission, it is not our fault that Londinian officials cannot tell the difference. The vessel was seized in international waters by an aggressive Londinian government which is quick to action and not known for forethought.

That is all we will say on this matter with you.

Signed,

Sacha Novoselic,
Secretary of State of Aequatio.

----------

RNS Europa, 40 kilometres outside Londinian waters

Rear Admiral (Lower Half) Alexandra Keller stood on the catwalk along the island of the carrier and looked down onto the flight deck as a pair of F/A-39A Enforcer strike fighters were prepared for launch. Steam was kicked up as they shot from the forward deck, the acceleration lifting the aircraft into the air as their afterburners lit up and they proceeded to take up their place on the combat air patrols. Hawkeye aircraft used their radar's electronic eyes to watch the coastline, for any incoming Londinian fighters that would dare challenge the Aequatian carrier aircraft.

OOC: B.L.: I'll let you post the release of the crew and Hillsten to the Rebecka, should it go through.

Secret IC:
Office of First Citizen, Drasgard, Olmedreca

Ernst Tormilind walked in and said: “I just got confirmation, our satellite images show that vessel was in Londonian waters. Also, Aequatio has placed a fleet carrier RNS Europa close to Londonian border.”

“Well, that clears it up, we are dealing with Aequatian provocation, probably aimed for a war. I guess that Londonians should have reached to similar conclusions and we can expect captain to be released soon.” answered Vesse Põhjakotkas.

“Indeed, intelligence believes that such approach would be most rational from Londonian viewpoint. Probably release will be called gesture of goodwill or something like that.”

“or Londonians will piss their small socialistic pants completely and openly apologize for crimes that they did not commit”, said Vesse with evil smile. “Keep me informed about developments.”

ooc: oops, fixed captains gender

OOC: Actually, a war would be deadly, Aequatio more people then BL.

OOC: Actually, a war would be deadly, Aequatio more people then BL.

OOC: most wars are deadly, people die in them..

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Official Communiqué

To Aequatio:

We have decided to release Commander Hillsten, the Rebecka, and its crew to your nation. A Coast Guard cutter will escort them outside our territorial waters to waiting Aequatian vessels if you choose to accept our offer.

Sincerely,
The Rt. Hon. Andrew Swan, MP
Minister of Justice for British Londinium

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Government and Navy Prepare for Ship's Repatriation

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ACN Photojournalist William "Wild Bill" Hearst

RNS Europa, International Waters - Reporting live from the flight deck of the fleet carrier off Londinian waters, word has reached us that the carrier will be changing its course closer as it prepares for the arrival of the RNS Rebecka, a technical research vessel which was unlawfully seized by the Londinian authorities several days ago, which is being escorted with its full crew compliment out of Londinian territory.

To the relief of all Aequatio, Commander Kristen Hillsten, the commanding officer of the Rebecka and the centerfigure in the entire incident, is aboard the vessel as it makes its voyage to meet up with the Europa for its journey home to Aequatio. After being arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment for false claims of espionage, and days of intense diplomatic posturing on behalf of the Republic's government, she was released this morning and brought to the dockyard where the ship was put to sea under escort of a coast guard patrol boat.

Tensions were high as the Republic prepared for a more forceful response to the insulting aggression, although with the release announced by the Londinian Minister of Justice Andrew Swan, relations are expected to return to their previous levels, although with remaining issues which will take time to heal due to this incident.

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Commander Hillsten had returned to her crew with a cheer and celebrations lasting until their return to the Rebecka and with the casting off from the dockyard, the crew who were located on the top deck moved to the portside and smiled at the Londinians at the shore and on the cutter as they sang in chorus:

Na, na, na, na... Na, na, na, na... Hey, Hey, Hey... Goodbye!

As the ship and its escort were underway, Hillsten returned to her quarters, which had been left unmolested in the boarding done by the Londinians as she produced a secured chest from under her desk and started through the corridors carrying the container in her arms as she made her way below decks. Aware of the vessel's design after overlooking and memorizing the blueprints before coming aboard. She entered a room used as a cleaning supply storage closet and set the chest against the bulkhead and proceeded to open it quickly, revealing nothing but rows of plastic explosive with a black detonator box and a red crystal display as she entered the arming code and then pushing the buttons to input the timed charge, setting it for thirty minutes, or the length of time it would take for the journey to the Europa, so as to have as many eyewitnesses as possible when the explosion ripped through the ship. The task complete, she rose to her feet and exited the room to return to the bridge where she would oversee the remainder of the voyage with the knowledge of the coming carnage.

The Coast Guard cutter Agrippa, the same vessel that had originally found the Rebecka listing in Londinian waters, trailed five hundred feet behind the Aequatian vessel. Once Hillsten's ship crossed into international waters, she quickly veered away and headed back to port.

Hearst's camera was pointed at the Rebecka as it crossed the invisible territorial line before panning to the Aggripa as it quickly turned tail and started back towards the mainland when the orange flames ripped through the starboard side of the vessel, the correspondent could feel the heat as he turned the camera to the now smoking hulk, fire raging on the water from the diesel petrol leaking from the broken fuel tanks. Alarms rang out over the flight deck as they the deck crew prepared for rescue operations, an ivory-gray SH-96F helicopter lifted off the deck as it hovered over the burning Rebecka as it began to list horribly, surviving crewmembers jumping off the sides into the clear portside water while the rotorwash pushed the smoke away from the water as its hoist was lowered to the crewmembers in the flaming water.

SIC:

Emergency Cabinet Meeting
Kensington

"I knew the Aequatians were looking for a pretense to war," mused the Consul. "But I never would have expected that they go so far as to kill their own people to achieve this."

"Surely, the world won't believe that we committed the bombing," shot the Minister of Defence. "We arranged for her release to avoid a war, not to start one."

"Logic clearly isn't a problem for these vermin," replied Sir Alistair. "We can't prove our innocence. So we must begin defending our borders. Mobilize the whole of the navy and air force - and be discreet - and place all of our troops on full alert."

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Rebecka Sunk by Mine, Republic Vows Military Response

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ACN Photojournalist William "Wild Bill" Hearst

RNS Europa, International Waters - Reporting live from the flight deck of the fleet carrier off Londinian waters, we have witnessed the sinking of the RNS Rebecka at what is believed by intelligence officials aboard the carrier to be a mine planted in the water.

At 14:50 this afternoon, upon crossing back into international waters, an explosion ripped through the forward section of the ship on the starboard side, causing the ship to leak fuel into the water and within twenty five minutes, the ship rolled onto its portside and sunk, only six survivors were pulled from the water, among them was Commander Kristen Hillsten, who spent the last week in a Londinian holding facility.

The Department of Defence and the President's Office has called this explosiona "despicable act of state terrorism on behalf of the Londinian government" and has vowed a response of force, with the public and National Senate calling for military action against British Londinium. As this is written now, the Europa has readied for action.

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Hillsten sat in the sickbay of the Europa along with the other five survivors of the Rebecka, each being looked over by a Navy Corpsman while a doctor treated one of the more seriously wounded. On the flight deck, the combat air patrols were increased as the on-station aircraft flying along the perimeter were doubled while there were additional aircraft placed on ready five orders.

As the Aggripa pushed through the water, two F/A-39A fighters were pulled from their patrol and buzzed the vessel at low altitude as the carrier broadcast an order to halt, also warning that failure to do so would be "unwise."

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Secret IC
President Reid stood in his office alone as he stared at the television screen, the news outlets had been playing Hearst's footage of the Rebecka's destruction all day, including reports from news anchors, commentary from a plethora of "experts" in the fields of intelligence, defence and international relations. He grinned as his cigarette was trailed by a line of smoke before he turned back towards his desk, "It begins..." He said to himself as he signed the orders for the National Reconnaissance Office to start monitoring Londinian mobilization and for the Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Centre to begin plans for coming actions.

The Agrippa slowed to a halt, oblivious to the tragedy that had befallen the Rebecka behind it.

A pair of SH-96F Sea-Jag helicopters were prepared as a section of Marines, armed with MP9A1 submachineguns and M12A1 shotguns, embarked on the second helicopter before it lifted off the deck and followed the first towards the position of the Aggripa, upon their arrival, the first helicopter, its doorgunner aiming the 8.5mm machinegun at the ship and the loudspeaker blaring to the coast guard boat, "Do not resist, you are now prisoners of war of the Aequatian Republic Navy." As the message was broadcast, the second SH-96F lowered to the water and an inflatable boat was released and the team of Marines started the engine and proceeded towards the Aggripa, weapons at the ready.

Coast Guard Cutter Agrippa
Two kilometres inside Londinian waters

The crew would not stand for this, quickly arming themselves with assault rifles. The cutter's 57 mm guns swiveled towards the helicopters. A loudspeaker blared at the Aequatians in return.

"You are in violation of Londinian waters. You will stand down forthwith or risk being assaulted."

Meanwhile, the Agrippa signaled the Navy, which immediately launched a naval task force to intercept.

EDIT:
OOC: I'm starting to feel that this thread is way too over-the-top. For instance, I find it extremely hard to believe that a box full of explosives would have survived a seizure and subsequent search by the government. I'm aware that I only mentioned searching the bridge and engine room (which is your justification for having the bombs), but we had discussed how the trial would be RPed, and we agreed that a simple news article would suffice. Thus, the mechanics of the trial were to be assumed, and, to me, that implied a thorough search of the vessel to discover more evidence. After all, when you find a dead corpse in the kitchen of a house, most (read: competent) police forces would search the living room, bathroom, bedroom, etc. I'm not trying to weasel out of a war, but I'd at least like some realism in such a war.

OOC: Righto, B.L., we can discuss the situation a little more in-depth next time I'm on IRC or if you want, we can over MSN. (My contact information should be available, if not, TG me.)