NationStates Jolt Archive

Deep, rich purple streaks marked the horizon as the sun sank in the distance, and dimly twinkling stars began to appear in the now darkening sky. Senior Aeromarine Anthony Miller took a drag from his cigarette and then crushed it out on his boot, dropping the crooked butt to the ground as he walked up to the B-52.

“That’s the last of them,” a logistics technician shouted up the ramp before turning and trotting over to a group of peers. By the looks of him, he was only about 17 years old. Anthony turned his attention back to the plane and walked up to the ramp.

“Help me get these into place, man,” said a man up in the plane. He motioned to a small collection of six wide, blue cylinders at the base of the ramp. They were tightly-packed rolls of about 75,000 pamphlets, declaring the justice of the coming Caelapene invasion. “Yeah, sure,” Anthony called back, as he bent down to pick up one of the rolls. The two marines worked in silence, each taking one roll up the ramp and placing them in the empty slots on the bomb canisters. Once all the rolls were installed, Anthony awkwardly said his farewell to the other marine and walked off to smoke another cigarette.

---

A few hours later, two B-52s flew side-by-side above the channel separating Caelapes and Lenonstall. A flight of Rafales sat in the air around them, standing as a vigilant guard for the large, vulnerable bombers. They flew low and fast as the dark shapes of land grew larger and larger as they approached their target.

As they crossed over into Lenonstallian airspace, the group of aircraft banked and flew for the twinkling lights of a city on the western coast. As the city grew larger and the lights grew brighter, the crew of the B-52s opened the bomb bay doors and, as soon as they were in range, started dropping the massive numbers of leaflets into the Lenonstallian streets. Paper bullets rained down into the city of Stallmond as the aircraft banked again to return home.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/2810/pamphletda9.jpg

---

Waves crashed along the hull of the ANC Tueor, the flagship of the Caelapene Aeronavy and the largest aircraft carrier in Caelapene service, as it led a fleet of ships east, toward Lenonstall.

"Sir, we've just had reports of Caelapes's Aeronavy moving towards Lenonstall." A harried Secretary of State laid a manila folder down on the Commander in Chief's desk. Looking over it, he sighed.
"Well, lets send in the Thirteenth, and notify Lenonstall. See if we can get them to provide air support. I don't want any unnecessary force brought against us. Thirteenth in-out operation. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!"

"Boys, we just got orders. We're shippin' out tonight. Start preppin' for a black drop over Caelapes," a man in olive drab fatigues told the assembled soldiers before him. The men of the 13th Airborne Unit saluted, then broke formation to pack gear and load weapons. Forty minutes later, the two hundred soldiers of the 13th Zowali Airborne Unit stood assembled before a fleet of Chinook choppers.
"You're squads will be briefed on the trip. Spend the next five hours doing something besides getting drunk, having sex, or getting stoned. Cards, cards are good." The man, Zek "Fish" Walters, stood before them now in full gear, helmet in one hand, rifle over one shoulder.

Five hours later, the engines of the Chinooks roared to life, lifting their cargo of two hundred combat troops into the darkening twilight and toward the nation of Caelapes.

Major General Robert Traus is having a nice late dinner sitting on his porch with his family. Something catches his eye and his first assumption is that its a flock of birds going to feed, but after closer observation he sees that this cluster of objects is falling not flying. He orders his family to go inside as the pamplets from Caelapes fall to the ground. As he reads the words from the Caelapien leaders he is filled with disgust and rushes to the head general and president of lenonstall. Sharing his feelings of the matter.

As many of the citizens of Lenonstall read this pamplet, the have different reactions, some are angered at the fact. A wealthy business men stated "Pointless wars are started by pointless people". Others look at the pamplet and begin to laugh, thinking it is a joke but they are quickly silenced when President Windel comes over the loud speakers saying that the nation of Caelapes wishes to rain on our parade. Very very few read the pamphlet and agree with the words it says but the majority of them are cannibals and are being detained in our prison where they read the pamphlets in the prison yard. The rest are extremist who are diminishing more and more.

Back at the capitol building the president and his generals of the army, navy, marines are discussing action. General Victor Mongrove of the Airforce, who is one of the best generals and fighter pilots Lenonstall has ever seen enters the hall. Besides the President he is the oldest of the men in the room and is very wise, he agrees with the president the all troops, ships and planes should be on alert and standby.

General Mongrove orders a scouting party of three F-18 to go NW towards Caelapes and scout out what kind of activity is happening and report back as quickly as they can. "the faster the better" says Mongrove.

OOC: Can I get in on this?

"Fireteams Alpha and Beta will be setting up a fireline and defending Fireteam Zulu as they set up the FOB north of Crougard. Alpha and Beta will be backed by Charlie and Delta from second squad, while the rest of the unit will pan out and form a perimeter. Once armor is dropped, we're to move towards Caelapes City with all possible speed." "Fish" Walters spoke to the men in his Chinook, but the other's were listening in on the TEAMCOM.

"Twenty-five minutes to drop, sir." Walters nodded, making some last minute adjustments to his weapon and gear.
Twenty-five minutes later, a distant thunder was heard to the south of Crougard, and the Chinooks dropped their cargo of two hundred Zowalian troops onto Caelapean soil.

"Sergeant Walters, we're two hours out. We were held up by some chopper malfunctions, but we should be good for now. Hang tight until we arrive, understood?" Walter's COM crackled in his ear.
"Understood. Stay alive." He disconnected and turned to his soldiers.
"Armor's delayed. We've got a couple of hours until they get here. Lenonstall should be providing air support for the attack on Caelapes City. Now, lets get this shit set up."

Paul DeSanti shuffled along the empty sidewalk, smoke lazily drifting from the golden-red cherry at the end of a cigarette barely held between his lips. It was dangerous enough being out this late at night, but almost no one took the risk of walking through Crougard's factory district once dusk passed. As if to confirm the danger around him, the red light on a nearby loudspeaker pole turned on and began flashing slowly. After a short pause, a hurried female voice boomed from the speakers.

"All citizens, all citizens, this is an emergency broadcast of the Caelapes Police. Socialist enemies have been detected near the city. A red-coded curfew is now in effect. All citizens, report to your homes immediately. This is not a drill. Caelapene Police now have emergency authority to detain any persons on the street following this announcement. Repeat, report to your homes immediately. Updates will be announced via loudspeaker. Dum spiramus tuebimur.."

The loudspeakers fell silent and Paul continued along the sidewalk, breaking into a jog.

---

A blue-and-red flashing splotch moved east along the north shore of Lapes. Three Caelapes Police cruisers led a convoy of six Landforce APCs and two armored Police vans along Autoroute 1B, a stretch of highway leading from Caelapes City to Crougard.

“Fuckin’ Intelligence Service,” muttered a Senior Aeromarine sitting in the frontmost APC. “They said a single company, landin’ south of Crougard and just an hour ago they tell us, ‘Oh, we were fuckin’ wrong, they’re already here and they landed north of the city!’ Fuckin’ worthless!” The younger Aeromarines shouted out in agreement, partially out of agreement with their superior, but mostly out of fear. Red and blue lights continued to flash as the soldiers raced toward Crougard.

When the exploration team returned to Lenonstall, they reported that there is movement in the Roupe Sea, ships flying the colors of Caelapes. General Mongrove wasted no time in postioning ships, aircraft carriers on the north and south.

A few hours later, word from Zowali came on a friendly note. It said that they already had positions out side Crougard and are getting ready. It also read that the Caelapene army is very strong and will eventually defeat that postition, we ask for air support so maybe we can stand a fighting chance. The General feeling invincible if not cocky, once again did not hesitate to send a company of planes to Zowali's aid. Made up of F-18's and F-16's, the charged to were the Zowalian army was holding position.

General Patron of the army did not feel as invincible as Mongrove. Patron, always the more cautiuos, Mobilized fewer troops and headed them towards the NW border of Millstrough. The only words that came out of Patron's Mouth were these: "Now we wait"

The soldiers of the 13th Z.A.U grew restless as reports of Caelapene troop movements came over 'jacked COM channels, fiddling with weapons and stamping boots.
"Boys, bad news. The armor we were expecting is being cut by half." Walters sounded despondent.
"What asshole decided that?" One of soldiers slammed a fist into a tree.
"God, if you're religious, Fate if you aren't!" Walters snapped at the soldier. "We can expect a bit of it to reach us, but don't think it'll be much help. It'll take too damn long. Let's just hope Lenonstall's air support gets here, rather sooner than later. But let's get going, we need to reach Caelapes City ASAP; It'll take longer, but mayhap we can "aquire" some transport. Kill civilians at will, to requisition their vehicles, Understood?"
"SIR, YES SIR!" Shouts rang out from every soldier as they hefted gear and prepared to move out.

“10-4, Four Seven Delta One Five Five, 10-31 Code 2 at checkpoint west, Delta One Three Zero 10-9 and advise 19.” The radio crackled and fell silent as Sergeant Damion Milne drove slowly down a side road in Crougard. Pink-blue rays started to appear from behind the silhouetted buildings as the clock tower chimed six times.

The lights on top of loudspeakers located every block still flashed red as the city began to stir from its slumber. Police were on guard as they waited for the Second Capital Defense Company to arrive from Caelapes City. Late in the night, the Aeronavy radar operators watched a small group of Zowalian helicopter transports breach Lapene airspace north of Crougard and disappear from their screens. Immediately, Police announced a red-coded curfew and shut down the city. The commonly seen Cri-Stop patrol cars were replaced by the armored vans and SUVs of the Caelapes Police.

The streets were completely deserted, with trams stopped in the middle of the street where they were left by their operators following the curfew announcement. Only Police, wearing urban camouflage and carrying assault rifles, were on the sidewalks, doing what little they could to defend the city from assault as they waited with bated breath for the arrival of the CAPDEF soldiers.

"We will be ready to take off soon, sir" said corporal Eislen. The 104th air strike team was in Halastar, Refuling and getting supplies from the Zowalian government. Lead by captain Smith, they were on there to assist Zowalian army because they so graciously helped us at the start of this war. But we did have bad news for them, according to HQ they wanted Smith to choose a platoon and one of his best to lead to Caelapes City for an attempted air strike. The news was accepted but not taken well by Zowali. The Captain choose master Sergeant Ronald Phest, he was one of the youngest but also one of the smartest men he had ever commanded.

Back on Millstrough, General Patron had origionally ordered only part of the troops on Millstrough be mobilized but now he demanded all army personnel to move North West. He also commanded that a division be sent to Stallmond and Zinod and the rest set up camp somewhere in the middle but let no one else know where you are stationed.

The president was beginning to worry, being an ex-marine who knew the price of battle. It may have been that he suffered from shell shock in battle but he was the most cautious and questioned everything. He was only testing everyones patience, some were worried but others that knew him felt strongly that he would pull through, that he would find his second wind.

3 weeks following the Zowalian invasion at Crougard

An extensive Police and Aeronavy search of the forests between Crougard and Caelapes City had succeeded -- the Zowalian invaders were all either dead or captured. Relations were tense, with Caelapene fleets surrounding the smaller island of Zambi, but neither side moved to shift the stalemate. Furthermore, a wing of Lenonstallian fighters had been turned away by the Seventh Carrier Battle Group which defended Crougard's ports. The Caelapene First Fleet still ominously sat in international waters, off the coast of Stallmond. The Fourth Fleet stood guard over the Seditian Sea to the north, preventing a direct naval attack from the far islands of Lenonstall. For all intents and purposes, the war had ended.

As the war stagnated, Caelapene citizens grew restless. What had started as an unpopular war began to degrade into a cause for riot. Fires were started across Caelapes City, and looting and mayhem rose to a level reminiscent of the Police invasion of Parliament only months prior. Government advisors began second-questioning the war, and ultimately declared that the war must be officially declared over. Telegrams were sent to the Lenonstallian capital of Zinod and the Zowalian city Gilead, inviting government representatives to the city of Torine to discuss the terms of peace. Caelapene fleets, to punctuate the wish for a peaceful end to the war, turned and sailed for their home ports. In preparation for the meeting, Police swept through Torine, clearing the streets of graffiti and homeless, rerouting streets to prevent unauthorized personnel from stumbling on the meetings, and projecting their image of power and law throughout the city.

((OOC: I'm going to make another post detailing the arrival of diplomatic planes before you guys post))