NationStates Jolt Archive

Southern Imperial Retreat
Hampton
Vastidia

Gunshots repeatedly shattered the normally serene landscape outside the Emperor's summer residence. The huge lawns of tall golden grass were intermittently pockmarked with small craters and burns. Above the landscape soared an idyllic fortress, with twenty-foot-high walls made of black granite and topped with razor wire. On one end of the huge square citadel was a massive oak and wrought iron gate, which had been blown in by the force of a tank shell . An intense firefight raged inside in the courtyard, as the last vestiges of the Imperial Bodyguard tried to hold off the waves of rebels. From behind bulletproof glass, in his office overlooking the courtyard, the Emperor attempted to steady himself. In his hand was a glass of bourbon, which sloshed around violently as His Majesty's hand shook nervously. Suddenly, a rocket from the battle below slammed into the window. It held, but the Emperor didn't. He flew back from the concussion, falling back into his expensive red leather armchair and spilling the bourbon across the mink jacket he wore. His face, matching his hair, was a pale white. The only color that remained in his skin was a small red scab on his forehead, a remnant from the battle to get him to the retreat from the Southern Provinces. He coughed and turned toward his assistant, who was loading a large, chrome-plated handgun.

"James... come here," he breathed, the wind knocked out of him from the force of the rocket. His assistant bent over and jogged towards him.

"My Emperor," he said, nervously looking at the entrance to the office.

"Isn't it ironic..." started the Emperor, a small smile creeping across his pale lips, "that we fought so hard, so hard to come here... only to die within its walls?"

"Yes, my Emperor," replied James.

"I just want to thank you... for all you've done for me over the years. No matter how controversial my decisions have been... no matter how much the public demanded for guns, drugs, healthcare... you stood by me. You gave me strength."

James Bolton felt a pang of guilt. It was he, in fact, who had led the rebels to the fortress. Many months ago, he had made contact with Scipio Valdacci, a rebel leader from the Southern Provinces. This was in response to the Emperor's refusal to allow contact with the outside world. Although his intentions were pure, the islands of Vastidia simply didn't have enough land to support the agriculture necessary to feed the citizens. Seemingly oblivious to the people dying in the streets, the Emperor remained steadfast in his decision. Now, James thought, was the natural karmatic ending. The Emperor would die for his ignorance.

James noticed that the rebels had cleared the Bodyguard from the courtyard. Soon after, he heard boots pounding on the teak floors outside the room. The doors burst open and James took steps toward the wall, leaving the Emperor exposed in the middle of the room. Dust burst from the frame and covered the expensive mohagany walls and the Chinese carpet. Sighting lasers cut though the cloud, creating an eerie sort of light show in the room. Quickly, they all snapped to the Emperor's forehead. A man walked slowly into the room. He was in his late 20's, with long dark sideburns that extended almost to his jaw. His hair was clipped close to his head, leaving only a light stubble. He had weathered, tanned skin and was wearing a pair of chrome Aviator-style glasses. He was wearing a black short-sleeve Under Armor shirt and camouflage pants. In his hands rested a Heckler & Koch UMP submachine gun.

"Good evening, Charles," said the man, referring to the Emperor by his first name. Several men flinched at hearing their leader refer to the Emperor so informally. "Charles. Charlie. Chuck. It doesn't matter anymore," he said, withdrawing a small video camera from his bag and a collapsable tripod. He thrust a small typed note into the Emperor's hands. "Read," ordered Scipio Valdacci.

The Emperor stared incredulously at Scipio. Turning toward James, he gasped, "James! Do something!"

Scipio shot Bolton a look. "General..." he began, bestowing upon Bolton his new rank, "make sure the Emperor does as I say."

Ten minutes later, a video was broadcasted to the internet. It lasted only thirty seconds, and featured the Emperor reading a script from behind his desk, the spiderweb-shattered window behind him.


Emperor Charles Hayburn: My name is Emperor Charles Hayburn. Effective immediately, I relinquish all of my powers, titles and duties as Emperor of the Empire of Vastidia to Scipio Valdacci. Long live Emperor Scipio.

--Camera loses shot as a gun is lowered toward Hayburn's head. A shot is heard, and the camera rises again to reveal Valdacci--

Emperor Scipio Valdacci: Greetings, nations of the world. We of Vastidia apologize for the rather gory introduction. My name is Scipio Valdacci, Emperor of the Empire of Vastidia. I come to you in desperation. My people are starving. There is no food on the Islands. We beg the international community to allow us to buy any and all food supplies. Our gold stockpiles are large and we will be able to pay generously for sustenence. Thank you.

--Tape cuts--

We will give you food.

We will build up your industry.

We will give you protection.

All at a loss to our selves.

However, you must give your people an empowered legislature or some other form of democratic expression.

My advisors are well on their way to constructing a new constitution to guide Vastidia onto the international stage. Included is a democratically-elected council of advisors, who express to me the will of the people in their home provinces.

Thank you for your generous outpouring of support. We eagerly await your arrival.

Scipio
His Imperial Majesty Scipio Valdacci
Emperor
Empire of Vastidia

Dear Emperor Valdacci,

You need not kowtow to those who would demand democracy in exchange for your lives; we will be happy to supply you and your citizens with stockpiles of food and continued supplies from hereafter. We can supply you with almost anything you need excepting alcohol, and all we require is gold in exchange. We had heard of your predecessor from vague sources, but without agents within your nation we had no way of knowing the duplicity he displayed. We ban our citizens from using recreational drugs for their own good, but his measures went far beyond any pretence of helping and healing.

As such, it is my profound pleasure and honour to welcome you onto the scene of international diplomacy. May you find your stay here enjoyable.

Yours,
Major-General Samson Cowell.

From: Emperor Julius Heide
To: Emperor Valdacci

We are willing to send in our 1st Armoured Legion and the 11th MP Regiment to help secure your rule and to aid in the training of your police force and military.
We will also send humanitarian aid.

Signed, Emperor Julius Heide

Dear Emperor Valdacci,

You need not kowtow to those who would demand democracy in exchange for your lives; we will be happy to supply you and your citizens with stockpiles of food and continued supplies from hereafter. We can supply you with almost anything you need excepting alcohol, and all we require is gold in exchange. We had heard of your predecessor from vague sources, but without agents within your nation we had no way of knowing the duplicity he displayed. We ban our citizens from using recreational drugs for their own good, but his measures went far beyond any pretence of helping and healing.

As such, it is my profound pleasure and honour to welcome you onto the scene of international diplomacy. May you find your stay here enjoyable.

Yours,
Major-General Samson Cowell

SIC:

Major-General,

I wish to thank you personally for the kind words and generosity. And, let me assure you, I had no intention of creating a democratic state. I simply said that there would be a democratically-elected advisory council that would inform me as to the peoples' needs, not unlike a presidential cabinet. Rest assured, we have no desire to give into the masses!

We will be able to begin trade as soon as our shipyards are rebuilt. With the world economy's blessing, we will be able to both import goods and export them within a short amount of time. Until that point, we are in need of emergency foodstuffs and medical supplies, which will be paid for with gold bullion. Hopefully in time you will be buying from our industries as well.

Thank you, again,
Scipio
His Imperial Majesty Scipio Valdacci
Emperor
Empire of Vastidia

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

From: Emperor Julius Heide
To: Emperor Valdacci

We are willing to send in our 1st Armoured Legion and the 11th MP Regiment to help secure your rule and to aid in the training of your police force and military.
We will also send humanitarian aid.

Signed, Emperor Julius Heide

Thank you for the offer, Emperor, but we must respectfully decline. The Vastidian armed forces have not so much been defeated as they have changed ownership. They are still a very capable fighting force, as are the National Police. However, humanitarian assistance will be welcomed with gratitude.

Sincerely,
Scipio
His Imperial Majesty Scipio Valdacci
Emperor
Empire of Vastidia[/font]

Lady Pesch, the esteemed beautiful pagan priestess and Minister of Foreign affairs, walked beside her associate and old friend Ljek Bragi into the communications center within the Palace of Norns. They were both flanked by their own personal detachment of Phalanx Guards, dressed in their crimson uniform and made faceless by their full-face protective helms.

“Vastidia is a tiny island nation with plentiful resources. I don’t see why we do not just move in and exploit them for their riches. Why complicate matters for ourselves when we can move in and consolidate power? We can turn these people into a puppet nation - or a colony even, within three years.”

Lady Pesch shook her fair haired head with absolute disappointment in her comrade and sighed with disgust. “You neglect to realize that every other nation whose people are so unfortunate to have a ruler with a mind much like your own, is a nation that has the same agenda.”

“And?” Ljek asked with a demeanor drenched in greed, as the group marched down one of the long marble arched hallways in the palace’s inner sanctum, their black leather boots echoing through the hall as they marched.

“The Grand Nasier’s last priority is to involve Lorkhan in a conflict that will endanger our reconstruction efforts over an insignificant rock floating in the Pacific.” Pesch said flatly as she reached her firm palm out to a scanner positioned nearby a large mahogany door. “We shall maintain protocol and treat this nation no differently than any other. We are not a nation of bullies. We are a nation of honorable Nords, least you forget.”

The International Broadcasting Room was a large circular studio used to record and send out messages to other nations. It was used when the more public Briefing Room was not adequate or necessary, and until recently that was rarely, but the room was perfectly maintained none the less.

A team had already organized a camera crew and set up a small stage for Pesch and her entourage. The national flag of Lorkhan was shown in the rear of the stage and the national seal depicting Thor‘s hammer was bannered on each side, Pesch and her following stepped onto the stage, her and Ljek both double checking to make sure their spotless jet black long sleeved uniformed shirts and trousers had no wrinkles. Their belts, each of which held a fully loaded H&K P8 pistol, were securely fastened. Their postures were closer to reflecting that of a marine than politicians. It was evident that every profession in Lorkhan came second to their natural traits as warriors.

“Good evening.” Lady Pesch greeted those watching warmly, but with firmness and no doubt of her inner strength. “My name is Doro Pesch, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and chief advisor to Grand Nasier Valias of Lorkhan.”

The crimson Phalanx Guard placed their right fists to their hearts at the mention of their leader’s name.

“Though we deplore the public nature of your previous ruler’s execution, we understand your intentions and will tolerate your lack of modesty. Having built ourselves off our own revolution we can sympathize with your position. However; it is standard procedure that we do not freely intervene in nations that support religious stations oppressive to pagan faiths, or aid countries with a Scandinavian or Germanic population no less than one third of the countries total census.”

Pesch paused briefly before continuing.

“If your government does not meet these requirements, we must inform you that you will not be able to receive special aid. If you wish to commence regular trade, we suggest you negotiate terms with Minister Bragi and acquire rights to use one of our trade enclaves. Lorkhan‘s eastern Flatlands of Chorral alone produce more than enough food for your entire population. May the Norns weave a fortunate fate for you, Emperor of Vastidia. Lorkhan out.”


OOC:
You can apply to one of Lorkhan's trade enclaves in the link below. Lorkhan is a nation rich in agriculture and can easily help support your country. Welcome to the world of international politics. :)

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=532100

Brayton, Tolvan

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kyle Fordham read of the report of the recent revolt in the nation of Vastidia. While a small nation normally wouldn't merit any special attention to The Commonwealth, such instability so near Tolvanic territory was not something to be taken lightly, especially given the recent assasination attempt on Commerce Minister Burke and the still ongoing hunt for the remaining terrorists.

As a result Fordham was effectively in charge of running the day to day affairs of Tolvan's foreign policy in the absence of the Cabinet Ministers.

Turning to his aide he began, "Draft a message to Vastidia..."

**OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE**

TO: His Imperial Majesty Scipio Valdacci

While your recent tactics are rather unseemingly and quite barbaric, the Commonwealth of Tolvan takes little interest in the internal affairs of other naitons, even less so in a nation as small as yours.

However, your nation lies in close proximity to a variety of our economic interests and we can not afford for instability to impede them. To this end we are deploying a small force of naval vessels to monitor the situation and ensure that your internal conflict does leave your borders. This force is not meant to influence your internal affairs, but merely to protect our interests in the region.

As a token of good will the Commonwealth would like to donate one surplus Godwin class Landing Ship Logistics (LSL) to your nation for either military of civilian use.

Kyle Fordham
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
Commonwealth of Tolvan

OOC: Sorry about the wait, all.

IC:

[snip]

Emperor Valdacci was busy sweeping when he heard a knock on his office door. He put the broom aside, sighed at the remainder of debris on the floor, and said, "Come in."

A young blonde woman dressed in a light gray business suit opened the door. Handing a disc to Valdacci, she said, "Skip, this just came in from Comm. I don't know what's on here, but they said it had something to do with the food situation."

Valdacci nodded. "Thanks. Do you know if there's a DVD player in here? I'm still trying to get used to this place..."

"No idea. I've got a portable one back downstairs. Just call if you need it," she stated, looking expectantly at Valdacci.

"What?" he asked, wondering why she hadn't left.

"Aren't you supposed to dismiss me or something? You are the Emperor."

He looked at her incredulously. "I'm still Skip. Now go do something secretarial."

She chuckled and left through the oaken door. Valdacci searched around the rubble around the room for some sort of DVD player. Finding one in the Emperor's old desk, he placed the disk inside and watched as the screen came up through the surface of the wood. On it appeared a tall, slightly pale looking woman. "Good evening..."

After the video had finished, Valdacci drafted a reply to be sent to Lorkhan.

Official Vastidan Communication
Authorized, Emperor Scipio Valdacci
From: OFFICE OF THE EMPEROR
To: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, LORKHAN
Attn: LADY DORO PESCH

Lady Pesch,

Apologies for the use of pen and paper in this reply, but as you can understand no one here really knows how to work this stuff.

Firstly, let me say how impressed I am with the dignity and power which with you carry yourselves. It must be a Nordic trait. Speaking of which, I must confess that I really don't know what races our people belong to. Any censuses that have been carried out in our country (or at least the ones we've found so far) simply haven't included a field for it. And anyways, I cannot quite understand the need to know someone's race before you help them. If you really want to know, you're more than welcome to visit our nation and poll the populace yourselves. I'm afraid we simply don't have the time, resources nor manpower. As for oppressing pagan religions, we do absolutely nothing of the sort. Everyone in Vastidia is free to choose whatever religion they wish to practice, providing it doesn't interfere with the rights of others.

I've instructed my Director of Commerce, Aleksandr Yalitov, to draft a proposal to your Minister Bragi.


Scipio
His Imperial Majesty Scipio Valdacci
Emperor
Empire of Vastidia

-----

Official Vastidan Communication
Authorized, Emperor Scipio Valdacci
From: J. BOLTON, VASTIDIAN HIGH MILITARY COMMAND
To: MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, TOLVAN
Attn: KYLE FORDHAM

A civilian making military policy. That can only lead to trouble. Vastidian territorial waters extend one hundred and fifty miles off of our shores. The commercial fishing zone is fifty miles farther than that. Any, and I mean any, incursion into these waters will result in a harsh retribution.

Anything that happens in Vastidia is of no threat to your nation. We simply do not have the military power to do anything but defend ourselves. Vastidia has no reason to disrupt any of your interests. There is simply no advantage for us to do so.

J. Bolton
General James Bolton
Commander
Vastidian Armed Forces

Emperor Valdacci skimmed over Bolton's reply to the Tolvanics. He murmered to himself, "Remind me, James, to never let you make Vastidian foreign policy..."

General-Secretary Narmonov puffed on his 1940s-style tobacco pipe as he looked at the report.

"So..." He said, "Any chance we can extort a naval base out of them."

Foreign Minister Gromkyo chose his words carefully but fast.

"My apologies, but it appears that several nations would probably intervene if we started to resort to threats. Including McPsychoville."

Narmonov considered this, "Good, I have always admired the Phsychovillieans for standing up against all those decadent democracies trying to press their will on the world. I say we issue the standard, say we recognise their government and want to open an embassy. Oh, and we can earnestly sell them our excess agricultural products. See if they have any excess oil too, we could always use more imports of that."

Official Statement from TSRT Government
"Welcome to the world stage, we fully recognise your new government and wish for an exchange of embassies. We also realise you have a bit of a hunger problem, we are more then willing to sell you our abundant excess agricultural products. Finally, we were wondering if you could export us any oil shipments."
End Statement

Ministry of State, Ministry of Economic Development

On behalf of the government of Vetalia we would like to extend our recognition to your nation and to propose an economic aid and humanitarian relief package as a way of averting further deterioration of the situation in your country. We will send an initial $10 billion in aid, with further amounts dispatched according to the needs of your population. This works out to roughly $1,300 per capita of economic and humanitarian supplies, enough to avert the worst.

In addition, our country would be more than happy to discuss further economic and strategic cooperation once the country has overcome its present troubles. We welcome your nation and invite you to establish an embassy in Vetalia City at your convenience.

Regards,
Valerian Kosyachenko, Proconsul, Ministry of State
------------------------------------------------

Shortly after composing the message, Proconsul Kosyachenko departed his office for a state visit to Vastidia. His personal car was readied down in the Ministry garage and he was able to depart almost immediately. Shortly thereafter, following the call from the Proconsul, other government officials from the ministries of State and Economic development followed, their black sedans sliding seamlessly (all of which looked similar to the Packard Patrician, reflecting the odd revival of 1950's styling throughout Vetalia).

This was a matter best handled in person, especially considering the potential benefits.

Official Statement from TSRT Government
"Welcome to the world stage, we fully recognise your new government and wish for an exchange of embassies. We also realise you have a bit of a hunger problem, we are more then willing to sell you our abundant excess agricultural products. Finally, we were wondering if you could export us any oil shipments."
End Statement

I apologize for the belated reply; I was only informed that I was to handle embassy exchanges five minutes ago. We would be delighted to have an embassy in your nation, as well as to have one of yours here.

We are eager to buy any and all food products from your nation. Currently, all food purchasing, sales, and distribution are being handled by Avondale Supermarkets, Inc. This chain will remain state-sponsored until such time that the country has recovered. Any contracts that have been established will remain intact when the chain is switched from public to private ownership.

As for the oil, it is one thing we do have besides gold. We can easily export 890,000 barrels of oil a day, at the rate of $28.50/barrel (subject to change).
Sander Yalitov
Colonel Alexsandr Yalitov
Director
Department of Commerce
Empire of Vastidia

----

Ministry of State, Ministry of Economic Development

On behalf of the government of Vetalia we would like to extend our recognition to your nation and to propose an economic aid and humanitarian relief package as a way of averting further deterioration of the situation in your country. We will send an initial $10 billion in aid, with further amounts dispatched according to the needs of your population. This works out to roughly $1,300 per capita of economic and humanitarian supplies, enough to avert the worst.

In addition, our country would be more than happy to discuss further economic and strategic cooperation once the country has overcome its present troubles. We welcome your nation and invite you to establish an embassy in Vetalia City at your convenience.

Regards,
Valerian Kosyachenko, Proconsul, Ministry of State

Proconsul,

I cannot express enough how much I am grateful for your interest in our nation's plight. I think that, with this aid, every single person in Vastidia will be able to eat for at least a month. The international community has been so generous to us... it has renewed my faith in humanity. Thank you. We await your arrival.

Sincerely and with much gratitude,
Scipio
His Imperial Majesty Scipio Valdacci
Emperor
Empire of Vastidia

---
OOC: I'm going to assume that you've landed in Vastidia for now...

IC:
Grand Imperial Mansion
Anchorage
The Empire of Vastidia

After a somewhat bumpy landing on a cratered runway at Anchorage International, the Vetalian diplomatic group was ushered into several BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and transported to the Grand Imperial Mansion, in the heart of downtown Anchorage. Through the small gunports on the sides of the vehicle, the diplomats could see the shattered landscape. Rubble littered the streets. Families were camped out in alleys, residing in tents donated by humanitarian efforts and feasting on TV dinners and chicken nugget meals roasted over chafing dish fuel cans. Twice the convoy was stopped at checkpoints; the first one was manned by several Imperial Army regulars in Hummer H1s, while the second was the Imperial Marines with a T-82 tank and a mobile SAM launcher. The desolation only got worse as they approached the Mansion. Everyone could plainly see that there was a huge offensive that took place here. Spent shells were ankle-deep in some places, and bodies had not yet been picked up off the streets. Buildings were gutted by napalm, and several scorched tanks lie as obstacles for the BMPs. Finally, after over an hour of driving through the city, the convoy arrived. Walking slowly down the steps of the Mansion was Scipio Valdacci, still clad in black Under Armor and fatigues. His Aviators hung from his pocket, and a large, chrome handgun was stuck into his waistline. Smiling broadly, he opened up the back door of the first BMP and stuck his hand out to help the Vetalian delegates.

Seas 225 knots west of Vastidia

Vice Admiral Steven Burns read through the Vastidian communique forwarded on to him by the Foreign Ministry. He couldn't help but chuckle at the prospect of this tiny, war ravaged country attacking his task force.

Not that it mattered, he had no intention of getting very close to their waters anyway. His mission was to make sure nothing happened to the Tolvanic oil tankers carrying millions of barrels a day of Southern Sea crude to far off markets and to let the new Vastidian "emperor" know that he was being watched. Tolvanic policy was to "live and let live" in most cases, but about the only thing Tolvans loved more than being left alone was making money, and Burns was here to make sure that the Tolvanic investments in the area were secure.

Imperial Naval Reserve
Imperial Dominion Island
Vastidia

"Contact, designated Romeo-niner. Bearin- contact, desig- contact, de-, con-, con-... shit, there's a whole fucking task force out there," stammered a radio operator, staring at a brand new Texas Instruments LCD screen displaying radar contacts from around Vastidia. The Tolvanic fleet was approaching quickly.

Orders were relayed to the Eastpointe Naval Yards to dispatch two aging Ticonderoga-Class missile cruisers to survey the situation, and several flights of fighter-bombers were put on station.

Seas 215 knots West of Vastidia

Deep in the bowels of the destroyer Churchdown Commander Drew Stevens watched the two blips approaching on his radar screen. Stevens, as the senior of the commanders of the task force's three County class destroyers, was the Task Force Escort Coordinator. As a result he was in charge of identifying any potential threats to the force and deploying the other ships of the task force to neutralize them.

“TWO (tactical watch officer), Conn, Designate fore contact Oscar three-five and aft contact Oscar three-six. Pass the word to the Bird Farm to prep a recon flight and a strike package ASAP.”

TCS Lark

On the flight deck of carrier Lark the recon flight of two F-35Cs was moved to Cats One and Two in preparation for launch. Behind them a strike package of nine F-35Cs and six F-22Ns were being armed with AMRAAM and ASRAAM air to air missiles and ship killing AGM-60 Harpoons (OOC: though they share a name, these are much nastier than RL Harpoon missiles).

Less than three minsutes later the recon planes, call sign Whiskey Nine and Whiskey Ten, were launched off the deck of the Lark and quickly rose to an altitude of twenty thousand feet before moving towards the approaching surface contacts at Mach .55.

OOC: Make up of my Task Force:

1 Kestrel class carrier (94 aircraft)
1 City class guided missile cruiser (my own design)
1 Billings class guided missile destroyer (upgraded Arleigh Burke)
3 County class guided missile destroyers (my own design)
2 Resolute class guided missile frigates (heavily upgraded F100 frigate)
1 Pollux class fleet replenishment ship (just a fleet tender)
1 Shark class SSN (improved Seawolf)


I don't have any threads detailing these ships out of laziness, but TG me if you want to know more about their capabilities and I'll fill you in on what your navy would most likely know ICly.