NationStates Jolt Archive

The calm before the storm.

TNN News.


"... moving on to another important news report, we give the connection to our reporter at the Lancaster Airport.

'Thank you Tim. As you well know today is the last day of the official visit of President George Mackenzie in our nation. The visit, a promise for improving relations from now on between the Colonial Alliance and the Tribal Stronghold, came as a surprise to almost everyone.

As we have reported before, the Colonial Alliance army has been engaged in a series of exercises for the past three weeks. Concerns were expressed by various members of our government and there were fears that this would lead to yet another war between the two nations.

However, much to our amazement, president George Mackenzie did something that not one leader of the Colonial Alliance has done in history, the announcement of a state visit in the Tribal Stronghold doing much to alleviate our fears.

During the three days of his visit, President Mackenzie made visits to various cultural sites and engaged himself in secret negotiations with Patrick Sunhawk, our recently elected prime minister. It would seem that a permanent solution to our differences is at hand.

I hope, and with me I believe the entire nation, that this visit will mark a new age for the relations between our two countries.'

Thank you Danna, now on to..."

---

In the CA presidential aircraft Alberta Kinkard was waiting, a glass of wine in her hand and an expression of glee on her face. Finally a door opened.

"You took an awful long time in the bath George, I was starting to worry that you got drowned," she said in a sweet tone.

Mackenzie scoffed at her words and reached for his own waiting glass.

"What do you want me to do? That stench was hard to get rid off, besides, drowning at 10.000 feet in the air isn't exactly the way I want to die."

"I understand you darling; after all you were the one that had to deal the most with them."

"Yes, awful bunch they are, I'm glad I'll never have to do that again," he said, the same expression of glee that adorned Alberta's face now firmly etched on his face. "Is the plan in motion?"

"Yes, everything is moving according to schedule, they'll never know what hit them," Kinkard answered taking a more serious expression.

"Good, I wouldn't mind visiting that city again if it's under our jurisdiction."

"Just be patient dear, it won't be long now."

"Yes, yes indeed."

---

In his office Patrick Sunhawk could barely contain his excitement. The negotiations with the CA president went unusually well and if they managed to sign even half of the things in there he was almost sure that he could secure peace on the island for the next 20 years.

Somewhere, deep inside his mind, he was still a little suspicious of this. Had he possessed a little more experience he would have realized just why he should have been wary of this.

As he mussed over the various agreements they both proposed he was interrupted by his secretary.

"Mister Sunhawk, the delegacy from Frozopia will be here shortly," the woman at the end of the line informed him.

"Yes, I'll be out there immediately," he replied. Given the reliance on imports of raw material that the TS had, negotiations were often carried with various delegates from around the world. This one was however a bit different as it implied among others a secondary source for food imports, the main worry of the TS government for the past 20 years.

"Hope all this goes well..."

---

In the luxurious apartment of Michel Belisarius only the soft sound of shifting sheets could be heard. Clothes were all around the house and near the bed an empty bottle of champagne. It was this idyllic silence that the loud ringing of a phone interrupted.

"Umm... stop the noise," the voice of a woman pleaded.

"Just a second," came the drowsy reply of Michel. "Where is that damn phone..." he swore as he got out of the bed and made his way towards the source of the noise.

"Who the heck calls at this hour?" he asked, conveniently ignoring that the sun was already high in the sky. Finally finding the damn instrument of torture he picked up the receiver and answered on a dangerous tone. "Who is it."


The reply came swiftly, a somewhat familiar voice delivering a short message before hanging up. "Shut up and check your computer, I've sent you something over the secure lines."

"What the heck does he want anyway?" Michel spoke to the phone, but made way to the computer nonetheless. If there was any part of him still sleeping at that moment it quickly woke up. "Oh my god!" he almost screamed and hastily made his way for the phone.

"This is Military Responsible Michel Belisarius..."

---------

In character thread for "A past to forget..."

For OOC talk or if you want to join please use this thread:

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=533944

A map of Alestra.

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3779/final2vs9.jpg

He rushed; he rushed as never before in his life. Michel knew that if he wasted even one more second in his apartment everything would be lost. He needed to get at headquarters. Only now, after wasting several minutes on the phone did he realize how much respect he had lost due to his drinking habits.

--

"I'm ordering a full mobilization... call up the reserves."

"Sir, we can't do that. Only the prime minister has the right to do so."

"Shit!" he swore loudly. "The get every active unit on red alert, I want them ready for combat in 6 hours."

"Sir... are you sure?"

"Are you ignoring my direct orders?"

"No, but... sir what reason do we have?"


"DO IT! Or I'll make sure you'll be sweeping minefields for the rest of your life!" he practically barked in the phone.

"Yes sir!"

--

The conversation woke him up from a different kind of sleep. He knew that his position was contested by others, but to actually have subordinates questioning his actions was news to him.

To add to that he couldn't make contact with the Prime Minister, but that was to be expected after he threatened to kill the man. Besides, what was he going to tell him? There was no way that he could reveal the information he received. He wasn't that stupid.

There was only one reason behind him receiving that little piece of Intel and he knew it: Pride. After all he was still a Belisarius. Those were his last thoughts before he entered the door of the HQ. The game was on.


---

In the CA capital the plane transporting the President and his right hand was finally landing. A small gathering of news reporters, carefully selected, and many military men were waiting around a small platform, while strangely disciplined civilians waited at a distance. As the president made his way out of the aircraft he immediately headed towards the platform and prepared to hold a small speech.

"My fellow citizens," he began with a sad voice, “It is my with great displeasure that I must announce you that my visit was a failure," he paused for dramatic effect, "Our attempts to peacefully negotiate with the Tribal Stronghold were rebuffed and any agreements we proposed were rejected," gasps could be heard from the small gathering. "They even had the audacity of asking for OUR land and threaten with war!" a grave silence followed, until it was interrupted by a loud proclamation, "If they want war, we will give them war!" at this the crowds erupted chanting over and over the last word of the president’s speech.

"WAR! WAR! WAR!"

Close to the platform, surrounded by military men, Alberta could only smile. She was the architect of this war and knew that at this very moment colonial jets were entering Stronghold space, while on ground their troops were crossing the border.

It was a huge gamble that she took this surprise attack and the success of her plan was to be determined in the following hours, but she could almost feel her victory.

Relying on heavy superiority and the fact that the enemy was relatively calm she launched a full scale assault out of the sheet if you can say so. Several army corps were to converge on the enemy boarders in the following hours, pushing and breaking any possible defensive lines that the Stronghold could put together.

But there was one major flaw in this plan, one she believed to be acceptable. In order for her armies to catch the enemy by surprise they had no option but to transport them to the borders just hours, even minutes before the attack, leading to serious problems in establishing some valid supply lines, and as a result there was the risk of her troops to run out of ammunition and fuel quite rapidly.

All acceptable risks in her opinion, a few thousand lives mattered little in the grand scheme of things.

Colonial Alliance. Near the City of Langley.

Fabian was starting to get restless. His orders as those of numerous other similar teams were clear, now they just had to wait and see if they would enter into effect. Near him one of his squad mates was focusing on his transmitter, like that would do any good.

He hoped, he really hoped that what he feared will not come to pass, but the large number of trains speeding towards the border and the fact that there were no new orders from command did nothing to reassure him.

It was then that he received the message. In just a few short seconds the squad was already alert and started performing its mission.

---

At the TS headquarters there was a total chaos as various reports came from across the country. An attack of this scale was something nobody expected and it was only the order given by the Military Responsible earlier that day that made a semblance of defence possible. The usually drunk and womanising commander was now their only hope and they could only hold belief that he would rise up to his name.

His first orders were confusing for some. He ordered that no aircraft get off the ground and that all military units avoid engagement with the enemy. For many this seemed like a sure way to insure a defeat, but others saw something else.

Among others there was a high level of frustration floating in the air. Not even after reaching the HQ was he able to contact the Prime Minister and he was starting to worry, but other concerns soon entered Michel's mind. He was now the only person responsible for defending the country against a massive invasion.

"Status report?"

"Sir, the enemies are pushing towards the city of Bedford with what we believe to be the entire First army! Their other units are deploying along the border and we believe another offensive is prepared from the city of Hexham."

"What about their Air Force?" he asked in a deceptively calm voice.

"Currently heading to our major industrial facilities, several of our military airports though we detected a wing heading towards the capital."

"Interesting... Order our air force to prepare for interception, I don't want them off the ground until the last moment possible. I also want them to start preparing for a strike against the infrastructure around Bedford."

"Sir, what about their First Army?! At the rate they're going they'll arrive in the city of Roser in just a few hour! We have to send troops before they manage to do so!"

"We will do no such thing, I want the 3rd Mechanized Division deployed in that city, no action to slow the enemy until it reaches will be taken. Do you understand?"

"But sir... you'll be turning the city in a battlefield."

Michel stopped for a second and then with a resigned sigh he replied.

"I know..."

---

It was all going according to her plan. The large assault on the city of Bedford was pulling all the resources available to the Stronghold, leaving them wide open for the massive strike of the second and third army.

Only a matter of time really. The TS was probably going to engage them as far as possible from their cities and as such fight with half ready units, an easy prey for the vast number at her disposal. And while they would be losing the battle in the north, her forces would march unopposed towards Lancaster.


A wonderful plan.

---


In the skies of the Stronghold the battle was finally starting. The CA air force relied heavily on the surprise factor and the pilots were confident that they'll obtain an easy victory. How often such assumptions prove to be wrong.

In just a few short minutes all across the country AA defences were activated and numerous squadrons moved towards an interception course. However, they still had an advantage as many of the planes of the TS were needed to provide air support to their land units. But the surprise factor was lost.

All across the sky of the Tribal Stronghold a vicious air battle took place and most of the time, the pilots of the CA were forced to retreat.

It was the first sign that something went wrong.

-

Deep inside CA territory the badly needed rail roads started blowing up, severing the already precarious supply line and providing a major hindrance to the plan.

It was the second sign that something went wrong.

-

These signs were starting to worry the Minister of Defence and with her the whole staff of the CA army, but perhaps the most worrying was the fact that the First Army had encountered almost no resistance so far. But once they reached the city of Roser all that changed.

The massive force she had thrown into combat encountered stiff resistance from the Stronghold Army. They were ordered to conquer the city by all means.

In the south the second major offensive had started, but much to her annoyance her two armies were countered by already amassed TS forces. They were no match in numbers to her second and third army, but they fought a fighting retreat, and due to the failure of the initial air strike they had the support of the air force.

---


In the Tribal Stronghold HQ the situation was getting desperate as their units were barely containing the enemy advances.

"Sir, at this rate our units will fall apart! We simply cannot hold them back!"

"I know that already!"

"But sir! If they keep fighting we'll have nothing left!"

"I know that, but if we fail now it won't matter anymore."

"Yes sir."


Michel Belisarius knew that it was only a matter of time before his forces would be overrun by the enemy. He was grossly outnumbered and the only thing that held together the defense line was the air force and the fact that he managed to deny the enemy the right to pick the fighting ground. Choosing a city in the north and open ground in the south allowed him to focus fire-power in a desperate situation and to use his troop’s higher mobility, but not even that advantage would matter for long.

---

It was three hours later that the miracle happened.

"Sir... they stopped."

"What?!" several exclamation of surprise could be heard.

"I suspected as much."

"Sir?"

"In order to catch us of guard they had to take some risks, limited fuel and supplies was one of them."

"Shouldn't we capitalize on this sir!" one of the more enthusiast members of the staff piped in.

Throwing him a dirty look, the Supreme Commander asked him a simple question: "With what?"

---

On the other side of the fence, Alberta was livid. The loss of the element of surprise, the fact that the enemy willingly sacrificed one of their cities in order to stall her advance didn't work well for her.

Sure it could be considered a major victory, but her initial estimates accounted for much more damage inflicted to the enemy. The bombing of various rail roads around the country made the supply process painful enough for her to realize it would take some time to restart the offensive, enough time for the TS reserves to be called in.

---


One of the more important victories of the CA air force was the bombing of the Prime Minister office. It was perhaps the most important target that they managed to hit.

Among the wreckage the TS Prime Minister could only watch in horror at the sight around him as his plans for peace and prosperity were shattered beyond any belief.

---


The initial day of the war was costly for both sides and a large number of men and equipment were lost, but following this initial confrontation a strange status quo settled across the land for the next few days.

A series of accusations and declarations followed on both sides, but surely enough both sides asked for international aid and blaming the other for the war.

It was clear however for everyone involved that this was just the start of another violent war, one with an unpredictable end.

As Newly-Elected Prime Minister Evan Horass recieved post concerning the news of the Native Stronghold being attacked, he stormed out his office in a fit of rage. well-known for his haste Mr. Horass called for over half of the Armed forces to be on-call in the Capital of the Native Stronghold.

"Don't be so silly, we have no supplies on the ready... the new space station has drained our national resources, we'll have to rely on imports!" exclaimed the Chancellor in the Exchaque Ryan Laing (The man worthy to become prime-minister)"And we shall have our Naval force ensure all imports make it, we don't want anyone to take advantage and try raiding our weaponry."

Mr Horass, who although been Prime Minister for only a year but made a profit that would set him up for life was retiring at the end of the month. And, of course Mr Laing would take his place.

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

As the first wave of foreign ships entered the port that inhabited the capital Jevkay, Julio Marios (Defence Minister) was first to open the box of ammunition like a boy opening his christmas present... with all exports expected to take at least a week (15 mins) and then the transport to the Native Stronghold teres nothing the Prime minister could do but wait and of course, send them 5 million USD

As several of the Datius BETA squadron were unfairly called up when it was supposed to be there holiday-vacation, they marched there way to the docks... Men and women were scattered everywhere cuddling and Kissing meanwhile, General Kilkenny, Admiral Oppius and Chancellor Laing were talking about recent missions

All the troops were rounded up and took aboard there elected frigates, meanwhile several service men were lifting down the gates of the transporters to allow the Aircraft to drive on... after one hour of endless goodbyes and a minor scare in which the one of the engines of the D-1543 Jetstream Transporter appeared to be sabotaged the Ships set off heading for the destination, the total number of forces headed to the Native Stronghold was 1/5 of the total army...

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

One the Way they found the port of the capital city was blockaded by an arrogant naval force after minutes of flag waving broken by the enemy artillery firing intothe hull of a minor frigate both sides set to fighting but as several planes overhead shot down and destroyed the enem ships the troops safely landed in the capital but at a price...

The Admiral's right hand man, Gustaf Joklier along with 1/25 of the total BETA squadron had been killed before they had reached land but this had only made the men stronger

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

News reached the Datius Head-Office as the whole building became infuriated but as a video-message came through of a thankful Native Prime-Minister they then were reminded of what the war was truly about

"Mr. Cromtoan, we've got a fisherman on the line, he's claiming to be witnessing a war in a place called Alestra. Feldmaerskhall Kenkyoan has spoken to him, and advises you to talk to him."

"Well, if it's good enough for Kenkyoan, it's good enough for me. Better tell him to implement Stage Three of Operation Swordfish, as well."

===The Seas near Alestra===

Fadiend waited impatiently, holding the phone to his ear as distant sounds of explosions echoed around. He had seen many things, and heard more. He had much to tell.

"Hello? Is this the fisherman?"

Fadiend was overcome by a feeling of acievement and happiness. For all his short life, he had seen the picture of the First Minister of Weccanfeld, on the television, on posters and as the centrepiece of roundabouts thoughout his city of birth. And now, finally, he was speaking to the man behind the pictures. It was...

"Hello? Is there anyone there?"

Fadiend was quickly brought back to Earth.

"Yes, Fadiend here."

"What is happening round there?"

"Well, sir, I was just pulling out of Bedford Habour, when the Colonial Alliance suddenly invaded the City! Thing is, then the Tribals fought back..."

Fadiend went on and on about what was happening in the city. After three miniutes of constant overexcited talking and the complusory man-made sound effects, Joahnathon Cromtoan had heard enough.

"Thank you so much for this infomation, Mr Fadiend. It's people like you that make Weccanfeld great. Now, I need to make some phone calls about this, so I'll ring back in a couple of hours, okay?"

"Y-Yes, Sir! Thank you sir, your welcome..."

Joahn put the phone down, and almost immeadiately, it rang again, this time the caller being Kenkyoan.

"Hello?"

"Sir, are we really going to go though with this operation? We haven't even got permission yet..."

"I'll get permission, Kenkyoan. I want the division mobilised now, while I get permission. If we don't, then just send them on a wargame. Any intelligence before I call Mac?"

"Well, er, yes sir, I've got the SOBs saying that the main advantage that the CA have right now is susprise, and that soon the Tribal's may gain the upper hand. A sneak attack gone wrong, it seems. Logistics was and is the problem, sir."

"Very well. Get your part finished, Kenkyoan, and I'll do mine."

Once again, he put down the phone, and thought about the situation. This operation had just gone forward two steps in a matter of hours. The oridginal plan was start a war between the factions, and guide the Colonials to victory, starting a good relationship between the nations. Now, it was time to do his part. He picked up the phone once more, lifted it to his ear, pressed a couple of buttons, and contacted the telegraph office.

"Hello, FM Cromtoan speaking, I believe I have a telegram saved there? Could you send it please? Thank you."

The phone clicked as it found itself back at it's base. It was amazing what things you could do with nothing but a desk and a telephone. He sat there for a moment, and tried to remember what the telegram actually said, before he remembered he had a spare in his desk. It read:

Dear President George Mackenzie

It has come to our attention that recent events have recently placed you in a state of war with the Tribal Alliance. We have also not forgotten about some of the trade deals we have signed in the past. Although we have not had much time to get close, we Weccanfeldians are quick to defend our friends. Therefore, we offer to send a division sized force to your country to aid you in your conflict.

We are aware of the restrictions put upon foreign intervention, however, your neighbour still seems to get all it needs from Damirez, whereas you do not have that luxury. Therefore, we will send the forces under the alias of a paramilitary force employied by yours truely. This force will consist of a paratrooper section, a ground attack section, a artillery section, and a mechinised infantry section. All we ask is for a landing strip, and permission to use your airways for the duration of this war, and possibly longer if you see fit.

Yours Faithfully

First Minister Joahnathon Micheal Cromtoan

(OOC: Sorry for all the mistakes, but I don't have access to any programme with a spellchecker right now.)

Tribal Stronghold. Langley. Temporary location of the government.

"What the heck is going on?" Prime Minister Patrick Sunhawk roared at the table where several important figures of the government were gathered.

"Isn't that obvious? We're under attack," Belisarius replied sarcastically. "I though that having a bomb dropped on your head would make things obvious even to you."

"Don't push it Belisarius, if it weren't for your name you'd be out of this country before you could blink."

"Oh, a dictator now?" came another sarcastic remark.

"Belisarius..."


"Gentlemen," the voice of Gwen Tayr interrupted the two squabbling men, "I think we have better things to do than argue like school children."

"You're right, I'm sorry Gwen," Patrick apologized.

"I'm not," Michel boasted. In all truth he needed this release, he was tired, hungry and he had just dealt with a very large offensive.

Ignoring his comments Patrick moved on to the pressing matter.

"What just happened? And why were you aware of this attack Belisarius? I'm this close to calling you a traitor."

Calmly, too tired to throw in a nasty remark Michel replied.

"I was lucky. As for why? I suspect they had this planned for a long time. With a bit more luck they'd be in Bedford by now and advancing towards the capital."

"Gods..." Vera couldn't stifle a gasp.

"How do we stand now Michel," Gwen addressed the next question.

"Not very good, we lost a lot of vehicles and some very good men, but it could have been worse, the air force is for most parts in one piece and the navy hasn't seen any action yet..."

"Can we win this thing?" Vera interrupted him, a frightened look on her face.

"Probably, it's too early to tell, we managed to stop them and we already started the mobilization, but I don't think we'll be able to deal them a decisive blow. I'll make sure that we won't lose though."

"Belisarius... what makes you think you'll be in charge from now on?" Patrick spit at the commander.

"Patrick!" Gwen interrupted him "This is not the time and place for that, as much as you hate it you know we need him."

"Yes... yes.." he replied trying to ignore the smug look on the commander's face.

"What can we do to help?" Vera asked timidly.

"For starters you can get the industry to churn out as many tanks and planes as possible, we'll need every one of them and we'll need the raw materials to do so," came the reply from Patrick.

"Yes, I'm sure there will be no problem with that..." Michel nodded at Patrick's affirmations. "We also need to address the situation of Datium. I suggest we thank them as soon as possible for their aid."

"Yes Belisarius, I'll do that."

Although nobody in the room said it they all knew that there was one more thing left for them to talk about.
------

To: The Datium government
Dear sirs,

We would like to thank you for your kind assistance offered to us in our time of greatest need. We're grateful for the military assistance you have provided and we are deeply sorry for the human losses. We can only hope that this war will end swiftly and without more casualties.

Patrick Sunhawk

------

Colonial Alliance. York. President's palace.

George Mackenzie was not in the best of moods at the time, he was really trying to get his anger in check, but there was little he could do once the others arrived at his urgent meeting.

"What the heck happened Alberta!" he yelled at the minister of defence, "You promised me a quick victory! Where is it!"

"We were surprised by their quick reaction, they managed to stop us before..."

"I can see that! What are you going to do about that now!?"

"We'll reorganize, supply our forces and then push on, we still have superior numbers after all."

"And like that's the first time this happened. What went wrong Alberta?"

"I suspect foul play, someone helped them, you know who I'm talking about, but we can't prove anything."

"Yes, I know...them and their meddling. What should we do now? Creely, what's the status of the industry?"

"It's working at maxim output," the man replied.

"Raw materials?" Alberta asked as well.

"I made sure we have a stock, I was expecting troubles with the suppliers but this..." the man said, discontent with the present situation clear on his face.

"You just do your job, we'll think about the rest."

"Yes sir."

"I want everyone here working at 120%. Alberta get us back on the offensive. Creely make sure she has everything she needs for that. And Alexander, get me evidence."

"Yes," came the replies.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I have something to do."
------
Dear First Minister Joahnathon Micheal Cromtoan

We are grateful to know that we have such a great friend in your nation. It brings us great honour to accept your aid. We hope that we will be able to continue our commercial cooperation as well, since our country is always in need of raw materials for our industry.

Indeed, it is unfortunate that The Principality meddles so into the affairs of this island and we hope that we will soon be able to get rid of their lackeys, the hated Tribal Stronghold. Your request for using our airways is granted with great pleasure and we have assigned an air strip for your use.

May we be glorious together!

George Mackenzie - President of the Colonial Alliance.

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

The Principality of Damirez. Undisclosed Location.

"Again..."

"Yes, again."

"For how long will this mistake haunt us?"

"I don't know, but when it comes to it we will take responsibility."

"Yes, that we will. For now we have done our part, let us just hope no more is needed."

"I doubt that."

"So do I. So do I."

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

Datium - Ministry of Defence

To: Alestran Tribal Stronghold Prime Minister
Subject: BETA

The Datius BETA force has successfully arrived in the capital in ten companies of 150 each in a squad of 15, they are awaiting the prime minister of the Tribal Stronghold to assign the force their positions.

R. Laing
Chancellor of the Democratical Republic of Datium

Commonwealth of Bredford Ministry of Defence -

one of Bredford's senior Intelligence Officers entered the small room "Colonel William, we have received reports that there is war going on between the Colonial Alliance and the Tribal Stronghold on Alestra!"

"I knew there was something stinky in those peacetalks.."

"Sir! the Colonial Alliance offensive was halted, but they caused heavy damage to the Tribals. it also seems that the Colonials are having troubles at the air."

"Hmm.. i want the Globemaster plane and the Seaknight helicopters start transporting troops to there. if you have problems at air superiority, then send by the small transport boats we just bought. bring our 5-ton trucks to there incase they will have problems logistically supporting our soldiers. and i want you to send one of the "Prowlers" ahead so they cannot discover us."

"Ummm, sir? what troops you want to send there?"

The Colonel thought few seconds about it.. "The 1st Infantry Brigade and one of those MiG-35 wings."

"Yes sir."

"Oh, and send 80 AMTV vehicles to there, so our troops will have superior in-battle treatments to those of the Tribals."

"Yes sir."

Dear President George Mackenzie

We thank you for the airfield, and we will deploy our forces immeadietly. Thank you.

The Landbrunes military airport was seeing much more activity than normal. On the airstrip, large cargo aeroplanes lifted into the air, carrying many tons of military hardware. In the heliport, large helicopters lifted men and machines to the airport in Alestra. The Paras, however, were already on their way.

Some planes had to leave before the jet cargo planes, as they had propeller engines. These ranged from the Paratrooper planes to ground attack planes. Weccanfeld did not consider these planes obsolete. And these very planes were needed to turn the landing strip they going to get into a proper base.

The first plane appeared from the clouds, a small scout plane, buzzing as it landed on the strip. Three then followed and landed. The Airfield was more a large plain with a dirt track than a proper airforce base. And as the first pilot taxied, parked, and got out the plane, he remarked "We've got some work to do."

The scouts guided in the larger planes. One characteristic of Weccanfelt forces is that, although they like to carpet bomard a bit, they also like to build a lot. And if Weccanfeld got it's way, they would be on this plain for much longer than the war would last.

A couple of hours later, the plain looked much more crowded. Helicopters, planes and piles of crates were the main features, but the beginings of foundations were visible. Sandbag nests, and shallow trenches also were visible. The beginings of a airforce base.

Although the Weccanfelts weren't fulled entrenched yet, they still were able to launch limited attacks. But it wouldn't be long.

(OOC: I'm going to wait a bit. Basically, I'm making the airfield into a proper airfield. I can still deploy troops, just not speedily)

"Oh my god."

Ms Jennifer Anderson, head of Frozopian Intelligence was the first to recieve the intel. Another foreign war, in a world that was constantly torn apart by humanitys lust for destruction. But this war was different. Frozopian blood and more importantly face was at stake.

She reached for her phone, a direct line to the President.....


--------

"What!? Do they not realise....!?"

The President's face was pulled into a tight scowl. Whoever he was speaking to, John Rigby could guess they were not bringing good news.

"Damn them! Damn their ignorance! Damn these barbarians! Contact both of these barbarian bastards and ask them where the hell our diplomat is."

The President slammed down the phone and turned to Rigby.

"You wont believe it! Some Colonial shit heads attacked the country where young William Jones is performing his first mission for our great Country. They even had the nerve to bomb the office WHILE he was present there!"

Rigby gaped.

"But surely they must have heard about Rigby's visit? sir?"

"Apparently not."

William Jones. Raised in the Red Tide section of Frozopia. At 4 years of age he was clearly a genius, with vocabulary that competed with that of a normal adult. At 8 years of age, despite the Red Tides blatant attempt at brain washing for all Frozopian youth within their power, he openly spoke out against the Red Tide occupation on the underground radio stations broadcasted across the country. At 10 when the country was finally freed of all the occupiers, he was entered into secondary education. Within 3 years he was deemed "Impossible to teach anything he doesnt all ready know or that what he cant work out in 30 seconds" and passed on to university. Again he easily outshone all his fellow classmates, and held several Masters degree's within 3 years.

Having finished his education at 16 years of age, he immediatly applied for a job in the Frozopian Foreign affairs department. Although disapointed with the first year of mindless paper work and dogs body jobs, his superiors respected his determination and secrety hinted a potential President was in the making to whoever would listen.

Finally President Ryan listened. And immediatly set the young genius up for a small diplomatical mission with The Tribal Stronghold. Something to break him into the sort of international negotiating that would be common should he ever make the Presidential role.

The media loved it. A teenager, barely a man at 18 years of age, raised in poverty in a time when the nation seemed beyond home of freedom, sent for a diplomatical mission that would be reserved for those twice his age. The same man who once spoke on radio with a childish unbrocken voice with the same spirit that would cast the chains of evil invaders from the nation....

But now? Dead.

Rigby shook his head. No one could be sure if he was dead or not. But if he was Rigby dreaded the outrage the Frozopian nation would feel. That kind of bloody minded outrage that could only result in war and death.

Frozopian Foreign Affairs

To: Alestran Tribal Stronghold Prime Minister
Subject: Our ambassador William Jones

We have recieved information of the bombing of the Prime ministers office while our ambassador William Jones was visiting with regards to trade. We are sorry to hear that your nation is torn apart by way, but we cannot stress the importance of finding out whether he is ok or not. Please reply promptly.

John Rigby, head of Frozopian Foreign Affairs

the 1st Infantry Brigade was transported from their temporary base near the shore to a proper military base near the city of York. the Seaknight helicopters worked all the day transporting troops from the shore. the 1st Infantry Brigade included about 8000 warriors and 2000 artillery operators. the base near the city of York kept enlarging himself until all the troops and combat equipment was inside and combat-read.
"Major Weck!" low soldier reported to Mj. Weck.
"Yes?"
"Intelligence officer Thomas ordered me to give you a Pizza."
"tell him its received."
"yes sir!"
Mj. General Bill Weck, the son of Air-Transport Minister John Weck, was the commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade.
Major Bill took up his newly-developed communication tool Breiga S4 from the table. "William? we arrived at York and waiting for orders."

Maruta Sakda checked his watch. They were late. He was supposed to meet a contact from the Colonial Alliance in a house on the border between the Colonial Alliance and the Tribal Stronghold. It was a fairly large sized house that often functioned as a shady tavern of sorts.

A bullhorn sounded from outside.

"FOREIGN CRIMINALS. WE KNOW YOUR IN THERE. SURRENDER OR FACE DIRE CONSEQUENCES"

Maruta Sakda was hanging out in his private room with the rest of his partners. Mustafa, the one across from Maruta, exclaimed from under his breath.

"SHIT. What the hell are we going to do...?"

The women next to Maruta, Yehe, just waved a bit and pulled out a rifle.

"What else are going to do? Let's tear those tribal bastards a new one!"

Maruta nodded in consent and pulled out his trust Tavor Assault Rifle. Mustafa took out his Negev machine gun. The fourteen members of the squad all pulled out their weapons and prepared.

It was a good thing they had a secret tunnel leading out of their room. They snuck outside of the tavern and crawled around the side. They appeared to be an excellent position to ambush the Tribal soldiers.

They couldn't tell if it was a company or a platoon.

He understood the hand signals his friends were making. He slowly moved around the side so they would flank the group. He could tell the commander of the soldiers were impatiently waiting. A helicopter was conspicuously hovering extremely loudly over the soldiers. There appeared to be a tank and several dozen troops surrounding them. There was also what appeared to be an armoured person carrier filled packed with soldiers. Soldiers were sitting around on the tank waiting for a response. The helicopter also held several elite tribal commandos. They had to do this carefully.

Yehe gave the sign. It started. The two soldiers with missiles did their job. A missile flew at the helicopter and smashed its largest rotor straight off with a violent explosion. The helicopter crashed into the tank killing everyone in or on both vehicles in a bloody explosion. Another missile went to the APC, destroying it and all the soldiers inside with a violent explosion. The explosion knocked the tribal soldiers onto their ground. Grenade launchers fired and smashed into the embattled troops. Gory screams permeated the air as the grenades confirmed how successful they were. The machine gunners started firing their machine guns at the embattled troops along with everyone else firing their rifles. The last survivor was running away when he was brought down by a bullet fired from a sniper rifle that shattered his skull.

The fourteen "soldiers" weren't dressed in military uniform. They appeared quite normal and they quickly put their weapons away. They walked away from the scene of carnage where what probably had to be an entire dead company to call for a taxi. They were headed straight for the presidential palace.

~~~

The soldiers had failed to meet with the Colonial contact they were searching for, so they would have to contact the leadership directly. They would have an offer the President and his cabinet could not refuse. The squad were dropped outside the Presidential Palace.

They told the guards they had to see George Mackenzie. They recognized them when the "soldiers" showed off their real identification. They walked into the presidential palace. They needed to talk to President Mackenzie. They had an offer he could not refuse...

Cítta Santo, Nueve Italia's Capital City

~ The Military Headquarters beneath the Palace was brimming with activity. News of the Colonial Alliance's assault on the Tribal Stronghold in Alestra travelled fast, especially due to the efficiency of Nueve Italian Special Operations' Command (NISOC) intelligence network.

At the moment, Antonio Orsini Gori, Emperor of the Nitalian people, was in the main conference chamber along with the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as the Head Senators to discuss a course of action.

" Well?" Antonio began in a slightly downed tone. War had never brought fortune unto Nueve Italia, and was something the people dreaded. However, the Nitalian people always seemed to become involved in one conflict or another.

Admiral Faggio Perriggio was the first to speak up,

" Looks like a Territorial War: The Colonial's struck first, trying a blitzkrieg tatic: as far as we know they failed to get their major objective in that strike. Right now the Tribal Stronghold is resisting, but we've determined that without aid, they will fall."

The Emperor shook his head, sighed heavily, and then folded his hands together, mulling over the situation.

" Another war and the people will riot ... can we do anything to stop the Colonial's expansion? A peace-keeping operation, so to speak?"

At this, Major Fidellio Solle, the commander of the 11th Vestaglies Neres Division, who happened to be present, stood and spoke.

" Captain," he addressed the Emperor as many of soldiers who had fought under him before did, " we could dispatch my unit. With a little support from an Armored Group, a small naval fleet, and perhaps a small carrier, I'm sure we could help the Stronghold hold out until the Colonial's call off the attack based on a War of Attrition."

No one in the room could find a flaw with the idea: it was, on paper, perfect: War would not be declared, the 11th Division were superb soldiers, allowing only a few of them to be as competent as a regular Division of the Republican Army, and, if needed, this would give the Nitalian Government time to organize a force if further committment was needed.

Since no one spoke in disagreement, Antonio nodded towards Fidellio.

" Alright, then it's settled. I shall get in touch with the Tribal Stronghold and alert them to our intervention. Major, gather your men. I'm appointing you as Supreme Commander of Operations in this Theater, giving you power over all units involved. Let's make it happen."
_____

Message towards Langley, Tribal Stronghold:

To Whom it May Concern,

The people of Nueve Italia have heard of your plight, and can sympathize. At one time we, too, were subjected to a brutal and harsh colonial expansion, and resisted towards the best of our ability. However, our overwhelming foe crushed not only our soldiers but our land as well, destroying our old homeland.

I, personally, do not wish to see the same thing happen again. Let it be known that the Government of the Tribal Stronghold has the full support of the Holy Imperial Republic of Nueve Italia. In addition to mere words, our government has voted to send soldiers in the form of the 11th Vestaglies Neres Special Forces Division under the command of Major Fidellio Solle to aid your government and people.

If needed more troops will be sent. Upon confirmation of this message, the 11th will dispatch towards your homeland. May God Grace your Aim and Curse your Enemies.

Antonio Orsini Gori I
Emperor of the Holy Imperial Republic of Nueve Italia

Tribal Stronghold. Military HQ.

It was amazing really. Until now two bitter rivals and probably a pair of men you wouldn't leave alone for fear of getting one of the killed, Patrick Sunhawk and Michel Belisarius were working together perfectly.

But then again, a general invasion of the country you are sworn to serve tends to do that to you. That doesn't mean that they could tolerate each other more than they did before the whole thing started.

"Status report, commander Belisarius," the Prime Minister asked in a civil tone.

"No major activity on either the front. It seems that I was right, they are having issues with their supplies," Michel answered.

"Can we capitalize on that?" Sunhawk looked intently at the commander.

"No, they already received enough ammo and fuel to be able to stop us if we go on the offensive. Besides, we lack the manpower to do so. Our reserves are almost fully mobilized, but it's still going to take some time to deploy them and by then they'll be fully restocked."

"I see..."

"How's things on your side? Have you..." he left the question unanswered.

"Yes, there will be no problem with our industrial needs and there's even a contingency plan in place for a food shortage, but..." the Prime Minister finished his sentence with a sigh.

"It was to be expected, and I suspect they already helped us more than we realise, but I doubt they'll breach the treaty."

"No, they won't, but enough of that, we have other pressing matters to talk about. I have received a series of messages which I need to address and there's also one for you, see to it."

"Datium Beta force? Well, the North Front needs reinforcements badly..."

------

To: R. Laing - Chancellor of the Democratical Republic of Datium
Subject: BETA

We are grateful for your aid and will assign your troops their front position immediately. Your forces are to make way towards the city of Roser, which is expected to turn into a major battlefield in the next weeks.

Michel Belisarius - Supreme Commander of the Tribal Stronghold Army

------

To: The Holy Imperial Republic of Nueve Italia

We are grateful for your graciously offered aid. Our nation fully understand the plight of your people as we too faced the same situation in our past. We too were stripped of our lands, our warriors killed and our people enslaved. We swore to never let it happen again, and now your help is going to help us to accomplish that.

Your support is extremely appreciated and we hope that our nations will be able to cooperate even after this bloody war. The presence of the 11th Vestaglies Neres will be well received by our troops and we hope that you will be able to deploy them as fast as possible.

May we keep the light shining.

Patrick Sunhawk.

-------

To: Government of Frozopia

It is with great regret that we must deliver to you the following news.

During the attack on our capital, my office was one of the main targets of the enemy air force. At that moment I was in a meeting with your representative. It was only his quick thinking and quick reflexes that saved my life as he shoved me out the window. Unfortunatly he was not so lucky.

We offer our condolences and sincere apologies for this event.

Prime Minister Patrick Sunhawk.

---


OOC: CA side to come soon.

Colonial Alliance. York. President's palace.

The second council in regards to the war was a bit strange, to say the least. The minister of defence had a frown on her face, looking mildly displeased while the president was happy for some unknown reason. The initial silence was broken by a question they all expected.

"How are we standing Alberta?"

"Well..."

"Any troubles?" he frowned as well.

"Not really, only that I just lost an infiltration company that was preparing to go behind enemy lines. To make things worse it wasn't even the Tribal army that did it."

"Ah, yes our anxious new friends."

"Friends? They just killed the party that was supposed to meet them! How are they friends? If it weren't for your order to allow them access to the capital I would have had them hanged already!"

"Calm down Alberta, we needed to test them for a bit, after all we can't waste money on rabble."

"Sure," she huffed but calmed down.

"Now, what's the status on the front?" George Mackenzie moved to the important part of the meeting.

"It's going well, our forces are finally getting resupplied and we'll soon be at 100%. I fear though that the Tribal reserves are already at the front."

"Yes, I'll let you deal with that," the man replied, admitting that he had no idea about what to do. "Anything else?"

"Well, it seems that the TS has received some reinforcements, sources say they're getting some support from various nations, but then again so are we."

"Yes, what about..." he left his question unfinished.

"Nothing, there's been some carrier movement, but so far they're keeping quiet it seems."

"Good, that's good. Now, what do you suggest we do with our friends? Bredford was quite anxious to send some help and Weccanfeld is already working to get their base at 100% operability."

"Anxious? We almost drowned them. Our forces thought it was an invasion and we were this close to attack them."

"It's a good thing you didn't, we need all the allies we can get here."

"Yes sir"

"So what do you suggest we do?"

"Assign them to the front, I'll take care of that."

"Good. Now... Jonathan?" the dictator looked at his ministry of industry and saw that the man was waiting for his turn.

"We need plane designs. We can't build anything without them."

"I'll see what I can do. Now everyone get back to business!"

-

Outside the Presidential Palate the 'Tartarystan' men were escorted to one of the special 'waiting rooms' the president was going to tend to them shortly.

------

To: Bredford Government.

We welcome your aid in our campaign to vanquish our enemies. Together we are certain that victory is near.

In regards to the matter of deployment, we would like for your forces to deploy on the Northern front and assist the First Army of their offensive against the city of Bedford.

Alberta Kinkard.


To: Our friends and allies.

It has come to our attention that our armed forces lack a suitable plane design. As such we are unable to produce aircraft to aid with the war and many factories stand idle.

We hope that one of our allies will help us with this problem as we are in desperate need of increased air support. The Tribal Stronghold does not suffer of the same constraints and as we speak they are churning out new planes for the front.

President George Mackenzie.


OOC: Check the OOC thread.

To: The Tribal Stronghold of Alestra
Subject: DTA-2000

We understand that you currently need no support in air control, but we are currently mass producing 1000's of DTA-2000's (claimed to be 'the 5th best fighter jet in the world') the Aircraft has not seen a war yet and so we are offering the the Datius Ministry of Defence send over 50 planes.

Also as we understand you do not need any help on the Air Frontier so I, The Chancellor, have requested that we send 1000 ALPHA Special Marine Forces, trained across the world and specialised in inner-city warfare, (The ALPHA Special Marine Soldiers are the most highly trained and most specifically picked troops in the world and are great at any range of Combat, The Datius Army is the Strongest in the world, although not in number, they have a total of 500,000 troops all together, and will have a chance against 2,500,000 moderately trained soldiers)

We ask that you do not send these soldiers into combat immediately, if you accept this offer, these are a last reserve and are to be kept as a surprise to the Colenial Alliance.

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

"Go on send them ALPHA... thingymajigy's!...."
the whole office of the prime-minister shaking there heads
"Sir they're called the ALPHA Special Marine Forces, we can't send all of them to Alestra because we might need them at home in case we gat attacked. AND Prime Minister Sunhawk hasn't accepted the troops!"
Prime Minister Horass storms out the building like he does everyday but it was 3 days (30 mins) until he retires, at last.

"what about the DTA's, sir?" a frightened office worker asked the Chancellor
"I don't think Prime Minister Sunhawk will accept our offer, so we'll find place in local industries warehouses i just want to see the natives win!"

South Passage, Illesia
Alversia

David McEnroe looked at the memo in front of him on his desk, "Damn" he said angerly to no one in particular "Damn them all to hell!" he looked up at the rather nervous aid and managed to settle his voice down to talk to him "How long ago was the attack launched?"
The Aid thought for a moment "Just a few hours ago, Minister"
McEnroe nodded slowly "Get me Field Marshall Cavourna and get me the PM now!"
The Aid nodded, turned and left the room. McEnroe turned in his chair and watched the sun right on the white marble from the buildings outside his office and the sparkling river below his office window. He scribbled a few things down to make an official communication to the Tribal Stronghold Leader"

Democratic Republic
Alversia
--------------------------------------------

To: Tribal Stronghold

We sympathise fully with your plight in the face of this unprovoked attack.
We would like to offer you military support and condemn the Colonial Alliance our support would include medical and technical support should it be required as well as provisions for any refugees

John McEnroe
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Illesia
Alversia

To: The Tribal Stronghold of Alestra
Subject: DTA-2000

We understand that you currently need no support in air control, but we are currently mass producing 1000's of DTA-2000's (claimed to be 'the 5th best fighter jet in the world') the Aircraft has not seen a war yet and so we are offering the the Datius Ministry of Defence send over 50 planes.

Also as we understand you do not need any help on the Air Frontier so I, The Chancellor, have requested that we send 1000 ALPHA Special Marine Forces, trained across the world and specialised in inner-city warfare, (The ALPHA Special Marine Soldiers are the most highly trained and most specifically picked troops in the world and are great at any range of Combat, The Datius Army is the Strongest in the world, although not in number, they have a total of 750,000 troops all together, and will have a chance against 2,500,000 moderately trained soldiers)

We ask that you do not send these soldiers into combat immediately, if you accept this offer, these are a last reserve and are to be kept as a surprise to the Colenial Alliance.


750,000 Troops? Marines the best troops in the world and specialised in Urban warfare? who heard about that plane of yours, just a copy of some british plane. and your army is the best in the world? lol.

The base was finally starting to look like one. Hangars, Air Control Towers, Barracks and Command Buildings were being constructed. In one of the latter, one with at least one complete room, some command staff were discussing what to do next.

"The Construction Works should be finished soon. We've got most of the soldiers working on them, and cargo planes still coming in. We've got most of the cranes up, and the helis are refueled and ready to attack."

"Good. And the Artillery?"

"Nearly ready, sir. They've set up three quarters of the section, and are ready to start firing."

"Good."

The commander unfolded a map, and pointed at a city in the north.

"This, my friends, is Bedford. The CA and TA are fighting here. Now, we are here."

The commander pointed at a point south of Bedford and near the Langley-Lancaster Road.

"Now, with our Helicopters, I think we can aid the CA in their problems. I can order some fighters from Weccanfeld, and perhaps we can gain aerial superority. Then we bomb any reneforcements, and supply routes. Now, we want to remain hidden for now, so the helis will have to come from a different direction. They'll be wondering what the hell these mysterious planes with red, white and blue markings are. And then the Helicopters will come."

"Very well sir. I'll inform them immediately."

* * *

A small island housed an airforce base, and was launching jet fighters. Their target - the skies above Bedford.

* * *

The fighters were quickly aproaching Alestra. The coast was already visible, as was the city. They scaned the area for enemies.

"Enemy SAM!"

A missile headed straight for one of the fighters. The fighter tried to shake the missile, to no avail.

"Harrisoan, bail out!"

The pilot did as he was told, and pressed the button that launched him out of the plane. As he watched the plane glide, and get destroyed by the missile, he thought about his fate. He looked down, toward where he was going to land. And he saw that he was going to land in the city.

He looked at the Sam battery launch another missile, and heard the faith rumble of a cannon. He strained his eyes at the horizon, and saw the faint outline of a warship. The WMV Crynfeld.

The shell made it's way, guided by simple computers. It was a missile, but launched from a cannon rather than a Platform, gliding from the forces produced from an explosion, rather than the forces produced from a rocket. But the fins made the subtle changes needed to hit the battery.

With a bang, the shell detonated, taking a SAM launcher with it. Anothers followed it. The battery was being bombarded. But the battery had taken two fighters with it.

However, the fighters that did make it through started to aid in whatever CA-TA dogfights they could.

From the south, helicopters came, their rockets loaded, and their autocannons primed. The Weccanfelts were going to war.

(OOC: For simplicity's sake I've had to Godmode a little, but just remember that it's a small thing I've rped. Basically, I've got fighters and Helicopters buzzing around just west of Bedford. Feel free to use them as if they were Colonials, just leave the important stuff to me, and don't go too mad with my losses.)

Encrypted Message- Breiga S4
TO: Alberta Kinkard
FROM:Mj. Bill Weck
the 1st Infantry Brigade is currently to Bedford, upon arrival they will launch mass artillery bombardment on the city.

Mj. Bill Weck


"Sir!"
"Yes Thomas?"
"The Artillery are in positions, should we start bombard the city now?"
"i am going to the viewing point, when i will arrive i will give them a list of priority targets. and tell the infantry to build defensive positions, we don't want to be assaulted in the middle of the barrage. "
"Yes sir! anything else sir?"
"How much artillery those Colonials have in the first Army?"
"three artillery brigades and one field artillery group."
"Good, tell them to start bombing the city. that would decrease moral and prepare the city for assault."
"Yes sir!"

Minutes later, Viewing point -

"Artillery. start bombardment now. keep bombarding till finish order. first priority targets are the Airport and the AA defenses.after their complete destruction, the harbour and the ground defenses must follow." a panic must have been followed in the city of Bedford, which the two thousand mortars of the 1st Infantry Brigade have started bombing.

Closed Session of the National Assembly of Tartarystan

"Cirgote. Explain your actions." Assemblyman Heseri stared at the Imperial Chancellor quite vigorously.

"It's quite simple. I understand that you are all aware of the trade war between the Holy Empire and those Tribal primitives. Even with our huge-scale fishing and high-yield agriculture, the population of Tartarystan is still growing. We cannot feed everyone by ourselves. Unfortunately, the Tribal Stronghold is in the same position. Their demand for food is driving the price up, and this is expensive."

"What does that have to do with the Colonial Alliance...?"

"The Colonial Alliance produces much food. If the Tribal Stronghold falls, not only would that lower the demand for food greatly, it would highly raise the supply of food in the world by making the Colonial Alliance a strong exporter. Not to mention if we get a free trade agreement with the Colonial Alliance, Tartarystan could get this food at an even better price. We need to feed our people."

"It might be risky. Our international position could be undermined if we interfere in such an action..."

"We have no choice. Either we do this now, or our country starves." Cirgote was adamant."

"That's true, but constant interference in foreign affairs could lower our trade relations with other nations."

"Perhaps. We must be discreet. There are other reasons..."

"Like what...?"

"Are we honestly going to let our fellow brethren in Christendom be overun by pagan hordes..."

"Well...you do have a point."

"It's not going to be hard. We just need to supply the Colonial Alliance with surplus military goods. Plus, if we raid a bit of Tribal commerce, we could see immediate economic benefits."

"How is that discreet!?!"

"Very. We don't need to attack with our carrier fleet. We can just infiltrate a few submarines. They don't have much of a navy anyways, they'll never be able to track our submarines."

"Oh yeah. That bill."

"Yes. That bill. Comrade, we're a nation of commerce. Our weapons of warfare must protect our commerce. And submarines can do that. By destroying their commerce. Our Type 212 Submarines are some of the best non-nuclear submarines available. It'll be like shooting fish in a barrel. We'll cut off their food supply to the point where nobody will sell to them because they will know the fate of the ships. Than, we can buy that food at its lowered price."

"I'm not sure about the economics."

"Perhaps. But it is worth a shot. And it won't hurt. Well, I guess the torpedoes will cost money, but they're not very expensive."

"What about the team you sent...?"

"They should be meeting with the President soon. It shouldn't take long. The president cannot resist our offer...it is simply impossible."

Frozopian Foreign Affairs

To: The Colonial Alliance President
Subject: Our ambassador William Jones

You have killed a Frozopian ambassador who was taking part in trade talks, in a time when peace was agreed between you and the Tribal stronghold.

Either bring us the following people or face total utter destruction:

Those ringleaders who orchestrated and ordered the attack
Those soldiers who targeted the Prime ministers office with the bombing.

John Rigby, head of Frozopian Foreign Affairs

The newspapers would begin their rhetoric soon, working the Frozopian nation into a blood fury. When this occured nothing but blood would appease them....

Tribal Stronghold. Military HQ.

Things were going fast, too fast for Patrick Sunhwak. He was tired, he was hungry and he really needed a bath. In other words he looked like hell. On the other hand, Michel Belisarius looked ready to pounce on everything that moved.

"We've got another message from Datium, Belisarius, they're offering more troops as a reserve and some planes. Says here they're pretty good," he offered the paper with the message to the commander.

Passing his eyes over the letter Belisarius quickly formed an opinion over the matters at hand.

"Tell them that we'll take both the Alpha and the planes, we need all the help we can get. I'll use those jets for air support and relocate some of my attack/fighters to the air front."

"Very well. I'll send them our reply immediately," Patrick said, not having the strength to say anything else.

As the Prime Minister was heading away, Michel looked back to the map. The city of Roser was under a heavy assault by enemy forces. Trouble was that those units didn't belong to the CA.

---

To: Datium

Your offer is accepted. We eagerly await the arrival of the planes and that of your soldiers. We recommend that you transport the planes with the maximum discretion possible.

A grateful prime-minister

Patrick Sunhawk.

To: Alversia

We thank you kindly for your support and we welcome any help coming from your nation.

Prime minister Patrick Sunhawk.

---

Colonial Alliance. York. HQ.

"My lady," one of the members of the CA army addressed Alberta Kinkard.

"Yes?" came the answer from the woman.

"Our allies have started operations against the city of Roser. The troops from
Bredford have launched a massive artillery bombardment against the city and the Weccanfeld are providing much needed support for our air force."

"Good, very good indeed."

"And our orders?" the man wanted to know.

"Maintain position for now, aid with the bombardment of Roser and prevent the TS from gaining the upper hand in the skies by combining our efforts with Weccanfeld."

"Yes milady."

Thing were going out quite well she concluded. Her artillery lacked the ammo to perform a prolonged barrage against the city of Roser at this moment, but with the help of the Bredford artillery that was no longer an issue.

Her other problem, getting her army chopped apart from the sky was also getting smaller. She was no fool to believe that the CA will gain air superiority, but as long as they managed to hinder the TS air force from tearing apart her ranks it was perfect.

---------

The situation in Roser was far from good for the TS forces. Already heavily outnumbered and out gunned by the CA army, they now had to face a heavy artillery barrage.

Things were looking worse by the second, but they were confident that they were able to hold. In just a few days the entire first army would be behind them.

In this frenzy a report came to the attention of the regional commander.

"Sir, we have just lost a SAM battery near the coast and our radar reports enemy planes. Intel reports it was an unknown ship that did them in."

The general was not happy to hear about that. He realized that while the AA defence belt will probably protect the city of Bedford his troops would be dangerously exposed.

"Call Bedford Airport and order them to cancel the planned strike. I want those birds in the air and keeping those jets out of my head."

"Yes sir!"

It was a sacrifice he had to make, he knew it. Without that strike the CA army was going to get everything it needed. It seemed that turning the city of Roser in rubble was unavoidable after all.


In the skies, planes from the TS air force rushed to intercept the enemy jets, while on land several mobile AA units were getting ready for business.

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

OOC: Guys, no OOC posts here, there's the OOC thread for that. Small OOC comments like this one are OK though. Also a note; the fighting is taking place in the city of Roser, not Bedford, not yet anyway.

Alfegos read the OOC thread!

The C-5 Galaxy came low under the cloud cover, hoping to avoid interception. Aboard were the recently dispatched men of the 5th Paratroop Regiment. They were heading for the capital of the Tribal Stronghold, escorted by 20 F-22 Raptors, which would also act as their air support. As the unit was expecting to be used as a ground unit, it had been given a unit of M3 Bradleys and a battery (4) 155mm Howitzers to bolster their firepower.

As Lancaster Airport came into view, the Paratroops began to gather their gear and check the brand new DC-89 Rifles they had been equipped with. The C-5 hit the ground and slowed into a perfect landing. the Paratroops breathed a sigh of relief. Major Barnes checked that the vehicles and artillery was being unloaded safely before travelling to the HQ of the TS Army. On the way he saw the Raptors coming to land and the mechanics running to get the planes refuelled so they could be sent back into the air again. He was looking for advice as to where his unit would be best deployed.

Maruta checked his watch again. He was sick of waiting. He wasn't bad at negotiating, but he couldn't wait. At all. That was his primary downfall.

"What the hell is taking them? If they're not coming to get us in ten minutes, I'm bashing this door down."

After ten minutes more minutes in the waiting room, Maruta sat up from his chair. He walked up to the door and in one movement, almost kicked the door down if his partner had not grabbed him.

"Give it ten more minutes. Than you can kick the door down."

"Fine. Ten minutes. I'm not waiting any longer."

Major Barnes arrived and found one extremely bad tempered looking officer already waiting. He and his two Captains sat down and waited for the TS C-in-C to gave him an area to deploy to. Preferrably before the I Armoured Battalion arrived

Colonial Alliance. York. Presidential Palace.

George Mackenzie was mildly... displeased by the diplomatic messages he had received. He didn't want to answer to the Frozopia government, but common sense dictate that he did, no reason in getting another enemy. So picking up the phone he did the next best thing.

"Alberta..."

"Yes," the voice at the other end of the line replied.

"I'm sending a request from the government of Frozopia, I want it solved."

"Yes sir."

With that problem solved he made his way to the guest room where the Tartarystan were waiting.

"Gentlemen, I hope I haven't made you wait. I was eager to meet the men that managed to get rid of one of my infiltration squads so efficiently," he said, his face all smiles.

---

At the military HQ Alberta had a whole new problem to deal with. What was she going to do about the frozopians?

It didn't take long for her to come up with a solution.

To: Frozopia

We apologize for the inconvenience caused by some of our more undisciplined men. While the pilots responsible for the attack have died in battle, we made certain that the person behind the attack got what he deserved. Please check the attached video file for details.

President George Mackenzie.

*File showing a video with the decapitation of a gagged man*

------

To: Alversia

Our nation expresses gratitude for you aid, and I wish to personally thank your people for their support.

Please proceed to deploy your forces south of the city of Roser, where we expect a major battle to take plkace in the near future.

Michel Belisarius - Supreme Commander of the Stronghold Army.

Barnes leapt into his jeep and sped off to where his men had billeted themselves for the time being. The men who were lounging about, turned as their Commanding Officer jumped off the jeep before it had even stopped. he turned to them "Load up! We're moving out now! get those lazy bastards out of their tents now!" he shouted as the men scrambled about to pick up equipment and weapons. Tents were hastily collapsed and returned to their packs as the men fitted their helmets and the crew of the IVF's and artillery moved over their vehicles and guns like locusts attempting to connect them so the artillery could be towed. Once Barnes was satisfied his troops were ready, he dispatched a telegraph to Illesia and to the TS C-in-C requesting use of the rail links to speed up his deployment. "Right lads!" he shouted as they headed towards the city "Look smart now!" the men marched in perfect step and in perfect shape, each staring straight ahead with his weapon on his shoulder. The Alversians looked very impressive and Barnes was proud of his veterans.

"Okay, we have a telegram from the Prime Minister of the Tribal Stronghold, Mr Horass." A Secretary said while handing papers to the chancellor walking behind her.
"what... oh Prime Minister Sunhawk, yes, send him some money..." Mr. Horass collapsed on the couch in the corner of the gleaming office.
"Sir, do you know what you're talking about? I'll take control of the operation from here!" exclaims a Demanding yet Concerned Chancellor "Are you sure you're alright!?"
"The sooner i leave this blasted place the better, Good Riddance i say!"
"Have you been drinking again Mr Horass, Mr Horass... Hello!"
the Prime Minister had passed out sprawled across the sofa mumbling about donuts.

Mr Laing new he could't let the public get a whiff of this but there were more important issues to deal with...

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

The Jevkay International Airport was packed with Jets and crying families, you know the regular scene. All the ALPHA force were aboard the transporting helicopters and the Fighter jets were to be transported via Transporters as these were less 'noisy' nothing was to get in the way of the ALPHA force once they reached the Tribal Capital.

As the Choppers and Transporters entered the port the Alpha force was sent out towards the city centre where they would meet up with a set of men in suits to assign them positions on the frontline

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

To: Prime Minister Sunhawk
From: Chancellor Laing
Subject ALPHA force

We are glad to know we are helping out the rightous people to rule the island we too wish for much less deaths but we feel the ALPHA force being sent to the island is more than important

your good friend,

The Democratical Republic of Datium

Frozopian Foreign Affairs

To: The Colonial Alliance President
Subject: Our ambassador William Jones

I am afraid you have misunderstood. We want those who orchestrated and ordered the entire attack on Tribal Stronghold WITHOUT prior warning to Frozopian intelligence agencies. With sufficient time we could of removed our ambassador before he was placed in danger or better you could of delayed your attack untill our agent was safely out of the country. You can cry ignorance but the mission was well publicised, as the individual taking part was someone of great value for the future of Frozopia.

You have 24 hours before Frozopian forces are commited to assist the Tribal Strongholds defence and the destruction of your nation.

John Rigby, head of Frozopian Foreign Affairs

Maruta's simmering rage disappeared completely. He smiled as well to the President.

"Glad to meet you...President. I think it would be good for both of us to dispense of the pleasantries and get straight down to business."

He coughed and continued.

"I think I'm fully aware that the Colonial Alliance creates much food. Enough food to even export. Now, I think our deal will benefit both of us. What we want is the creation of a Free Trade Zone between Tartarystan and the Colonial Alliance. If you allow us to purchase your extra food, of which we will definitely purchase quite a lot of, we will simply allow you to use the money we purchased food with to purchase goods from us. Goods that you may find very useful."

He coughed again. He had a coughing problem.

"Tartarystan can supply you with all the nerve agents, ammunitions, other chemical weapons, gas masks, and of course, technical expertise. Tartarystan is an industrial powerhouse, which may explain our food shortage. We can supply you with all the technical expertise and know-how to build to crush your opponent with steel. Planes in the air or tanks on land, we've got the know-how. And we can also sell any military equipment such as ammunition, that you're short on."

He coughed again.

"But...this is really all secondary to what we really are offering. Our Novichok nerve agents are brutally efficient. It is true that we have suits that can resist it, but there is no way in hell that the Tribal Stronghold has them. We're willing to supply you with as much as you need. It has a rather long shelf-life, so that is useful, and the vast majority of chemical gear is useless against it. Not to mention it's absorbed through the skin. This could give you a severe edge against the Tribal Stronghold...and really, all we really require is lots and lots of food."

Colonial Alliance. Several Locations.

The two most important persons in the state were currently presented with different dilemmas. While the President was greatly enjoying his, the minister of defence was not as happy.

Military HQ.

"So... they want the ringleaders," Alberta whispered to the air. It was obvious that if this got to Mackenzie she was the one that was going to take the blame. She was essential to him, but there were countless others like her.

With her life in the balance on one side and with the risk of getting more enemies to fight, she made her choice.

To: Frozopia.

I am afraid that we cannot in good conscience comply with your demands. Our attack against the Tribal Stronghold was justified and we don't see why we should be responsible for the loss of your diplomats life.

Hopefully our nations will be able to get over this unfortunate incident and create a prosperous relation in the future.

George Mackenzie.

------

In the guest room, president Mackenzie was having the time of his life. For years now he had tried to get rid of the huge surplus of food that his country had and now a golden opportunity presented to him.

"My friends, your offer presents great interest to me. I admit that this looks fairly promising, but we first need to know just how much food we are talking about here," he asked, hoping that a large number was going to come from the other.

He was interested, but there was no sign on his face to betray this interest. The only problem he had was with the Novichok nerve agents, since he knew that using such a weapon was strictly forbidden by the treaty, and he had no intention to breach the treaty that kept them at bay.

OOC: thats no fair, i just wrote a HUGE attack on Roser, but i accidently exited the browser.
then i am going to shortcut the first part. 500 new Leopold 2 tanks arrived, together with mass amounts of amunition XM-8 rifles and Steyr M pistols. the two newly arrived 1st and 2nd Jannisbury are assaulting the town. after shortcutting the first part, i will have to rewrite a shorter version of the second part. i just hate my stupidness.

"Charge! GO GO GO GO GO !" the commander of the 2nd Jannisbury infantry regiment was running towards the town.

some Tribal soldiers tried to resist, but their lack of funds and training and Bredford recent increasion in Defense Budget and military training, including with the new XM-8 Rifles and the big artillery bombardment proved fatal for the defenders.

as per the orders they receive, the Bredford soldiers fought in 'Humanic' form, and preffered taking prisoners then killing enemy soldiers, especially Tribal-Allied soldiers.

"Lt. Colonel, we have troubles here!" a soldier leaned over the wall and shouted to his commander, Lt. Colonel Harry Forks.

"What happened Mosley?"

"Sir, they still have a pretty big defence here, and we can't get though sir!"

"i will take care of that, keep getting them busy."

Lt. Colonel Harry Forks took his Breiga S4 communications tool

"Bill? we need artillery fire here. we need the Dragon Automated mortars to begin bombardment on the small net of fortifications, target Z3. immediantly Bill."

after short bombardment on Target Z3, a small net of fortifications on Roser, two companies of the 2nd Regiment took it.

after the capture of Z3, a small firebattle ensued between those companies, and the last of resistance of Roser. the southren area of town was conquered. the area was fortificated by the Jannisbury regiments.

because of considerable number of casualties, many of the first Jannisbury regiment were merged with the 2nd to make it 'Full Regiment' and the rest will be reinforced by manpower from Bredford, but that might take sometime.

OOC: i am so sorry, but i didn't want to rewrite the whole story again. next battle it would full i promise.

The APS Alpha was stationary, 65 miles off of the coast of the island. It was currently waiting for a course of action to be decided by the colonial alliance.

Within 15 miles, the massive shrapnel rounds for the bombardment of any target specified had been loaded into the mighty 850mm railguns, targeted directly at Lancaster.

However, the ships had not been given orders, so had not commenced any attack. For now...

The Alversian Paratroops arrived in time to discover that Southern Roser had already fallen and that the Tribal Soldiers were in retreat. Barnes didn't even think about what had to be done. Rallying some of the Tribal Troops fleeing the city, Barnes' artillery opened fire on the invaders and, with the supporting numbers of Tribal infantry, the 5th Paratroops charged the city to reinforce the defenders.

There were sounds of gunfire and the whistling of artillery both from the enemy's artillery and his own. The Tribal troops were putting up one hell of a fight, He thought as he lead the 1st Company towards the suburbs

Soon, the Alversian Paratroops had reached the suburbs and, side-by-side with the Tribal troops, they fought to hold the defenders with M3's in support.

The Alversian Paratroops arrived in time to discover that Roser had already fallen and that the Tribal Soldiers were in retreat. Barnes didn't even think about what had to be done. Rallying the fleeing Tribal Troops, Barnes' artillery opened fire on the city and, with the supporting numbers of Tribal infantry, the 5th Paratroops charged the city.

Several were hit by machine gun fire as they headed towards the suburbs. As Barnes ran just behind the main company he could see dead Alversians and Tribal troops littered at his feet. A missile flew just over his head and impacted on the nearest building, sending it crashing to the ground. A soldier in front of Barnes was thrown back as a bullet connected with his head, leaving a little red mist where he had been standing.

Barnes looked up and gave a roar of encouragement. The Alversian Paratroops had reached the suburbs and now were advancing through the suburbs with M3's in support.

we hadn't took the city of Roser, but only a small southren side of it, edit your post so i can "answer" please.

we hadn't took the city of Roser, but only a small southren side of it, edit your post so i can "answer" please.

OOC: edited

Mj.Bill Weck wasn't prepared to Tribal Counter-attack, but he knew exactly what to do. the 1st Infantry Brigade, recently reinforced to 10,000 men, equiped with the mass-produced XM-8 rifle, charged into the city. accompanied by 2000 mortars 500 Leopold 2 heavy tanks and 1000 SAGL's.

Mj.Weck, riding on Leopold 2 HQ tank, ordered the comissioning of his AMTV vehicles into battle, to take care of the wounded. as those were netural vehicles, it was warcrime even to aim at one.

"Sir! the Jannisbury infantry are reporting some reinforcement to the Tribals, probably by Allied soldiers!"

"Damn them.. how our lads holding out there?"

"pretty good actually, but they are reported to be bombed by enemy artillery." answered Vellington, his Intelligence officer.

"Tell the artillery to aim at the Tribals. we have two thousand mortars, that should be more then enough!"

"what with the enemy artillery sir?"

"i want a MiG 35 wing to bomb it.. and use those new bombers, B-3 Nightrider."

"Yes sir!"

-------------
inside the city, Lt. Colonel Harry Forks
-------------

the Temporary fortifications were holding well with the new reinforcement and the constant artillery barrage on the enemy.

currently, he has been personally leading three companies trying to repel some of the Allied tribal tribal reinforcement from small neighboardhood.

"Sir, we are stuck again!"

"Mosley, shut up! the artillery would able to take it over."

Harry's Breiga S4 Communications tool started to work. "Forks, you cannot receive artillery barrage to H5, i repeat, you cannot receive artillery barrage to H5 Zone. we are busy bombing the reinforcment. good luck Forks."

"Sir, wheres the damn artillery!"

"they can't find one mortar for us, and they have two thousand! damn those artillery guys. Mosley, we are going to charge over the neighboardhood."

"Sir? you sure?"

"Yes i am, move your ass Mosley!"

The Three companies led by Harry Forks eventually conquered the neighboardhood, but with certain losses.

"We the Jannis suffered enough here, aren't we Forks?" called to him Mosley, who was shot during the combat and was dying.

"Yes we did.. i hope its all for today." Forks began breathing heavily.

"Sir.. do it for me Forks.. don't let them win" few seconds after Pvt. Mosley Braun was dead from his wounds.

Lt. Colonel Harry Forks was anxious to win the war now.

OOC NOTE: we are defending. we had conquered small southren part of Roser and didn't advance, and fortificated ourselves.

basically, you have been repelled, but with heavy losses to the 2nd Jannisbury Infantry Regiment, almost their complete destroy.

losses of mine (totally, both for defending now and attacking south town) are standing at about 1200 soldiers.

i am sorry if you felt i was cheating the battle, if you did, please talk to me in MSN (i am finding it hard to have umm.. 1v1 battles here).

you can always counter-attack, if you want.

"...so that's why the radio's been faulty. But we should be able to contact the Fighters from here, in the command room now. Just let me just do this..."

The Radio came to life.

"Yes! That's one less job to do!"

"Good, now can you get the rest of the Command Centre finished?"

"Yes sir. We've got most of the stuff in the important areas finished, we just to finish off the walls and floors. I don't think the offices are really top priorty. We've got computers in here,"

"Very well. Could you leave us, Corpral?"

"Aye sir."

As the Corpral exited, the command picked up the mouth piece and contacted the head pilot.

"How are things over there?"

"In my squad we lost two planes, of the pilots KIA, the other MIA. But from what I hear, the rest of the group is doing well. How are the helis doing?"

"They're coming up fast."

"Good. We've spotted foreign forces, sir, and they seem to be on their side. I'll just tell you the markings quickly..."

The Airman quickly described the markings on the troops.

"Alversians I believe. I half-expected those Democrats to help them. Well, looks like the Helis have a job other than bombing railways. Send them to the battlefield. We're not technically at war yet, but we can scare the hell out of them. And, if they fire, then you can bomb them into the crust. As for the tribals, only fire on them if you know they are tribals."

* * *

"This is Wolf 1, we've got new orders. Most of use are now heading straight to Roser, to take out some Tribals. There are also Alversians. Now, were not meant to attack them, but if they do fire on us, you know what to do. Bomb them into the crust."

(OOC: You've got incoming air attack Alversia, but if you don't fire, I won't. As for the Tribals, they aren't so lucky, and I don't think your soldiers will take kindly to seeing their allies bombed. This is because I'm not aware of Bedford's position in the war, and also that if one thing leads to another, I can blame you ICly. And they are expecting you to fire.)

As the ALPHA Force entered the town of Roser they were greeted with Gunfire

"the bastards beat us to it, looks like were gonna have to make it to the town hall and holld until re-inforcements come." said the Captain

"It all sounds easy sir but..." The private was disrupted by a bullet piercing the clay to his left...

"Go, Go, Go..." firing at all buildings the highly trained troops were still shaking hoping to get as far as they can. But with several DTT's firing to the enemy soldiers in the southit allowed ALPHA to take a detour around the noth and work there way down, but to there surprise a roadside bomb blew about one quarter of the total force out this major set back meant they woul have to settle over 150m away from the Town hall they were in a fragile but inspiring position, waiting almost desperately for re-inforcement to come

"Then war it is." President Ryan picked up the phone and wrang General Crawford.....

The Frozopians had been in preparation the moment news of the bombing had reached the Presidents ears. General Crawford was head of Frozopian defence and he immediatly began to dish out orders to his assistants who would pass them further along the line. He was a impatient man, reluctant to type the orders out himself.

"Admiral Ballantyne's subs are ready?"

One assistant shuffled through his paper work for a second and then nodded.

"Yes sir. 2 Submarines are 300km from their coastline. The rest to be used in this mission are leaving port"

"Good, he is too blockade their port. We have talked through this. Remind him to refuse ALL shipping but to permit them one warning to turn back."

The man nodded and walked away.

"Is the armoured division ready?"

"Already boarding their transports sir. Their escort is finishing preparations as we speak."

"Pray repeat what our land forces are once again."

"We have:

1st Frozopian Royal Armour
3rd Tropan Armour

Each consist of 30 Heavy Frozopian Avalanche Tanks

2 Support Companies consisting of M3 and M2 Bradley's, 40 in total of each.
4th Frozopian Royal Artillery
1st Frozopian Royal Guard of 6,000 men

Commanded by General Alfred Sharpe."

"Good and our airforces?"

"30 F-22's and 30 F-15E Strike Eagles."

The enemy artillery positions had been spotted by UAV. Now, the massive guns of the Holocaust roared as 850kg tungsten blocks filled the sky. Within a minute,the tungsten blocks would burst into groups of 40 tungsten darts, each able to punch through even the armour of the LY4 battletank.

The commander aboard the holocaust grimaced as he thought of the fate that awaited those at the other end of the bombardment.

Meanwhile, the Anaconda cruised at 1000 m below the sea surface. In its sights was the town of York. The crew aboard made the final preparations before it would launch the 2 tomahawk A8 missiles at the airport. Yet, instead of the nuclear warheads that would normally adorn such missiles, there were cluster bombs.

And the missiles were targeted directly at the airport.

Warning to all Intellegence personnel in the area
The York airport is about to be attacked. You have 15 minutes to evacuate the area to minimise your casualties, and if you wish, civilian casualties in the area.

Commander Yassin, head of the 1ST Expeditionary Force, Alfegos

The Alversian Paratroops and supporting Infantry advanced, then dug in. A few Tribal Units attempted to continue the offensive but were cut down by fierce HMG and AR fire. The Alversians did not attempt to move for they were pathetic in number and could do much except hold their ground.

The noise of battle was deafening as both sides tore into each other with heavy machine guns and the enemy bombarded the city with huge numbers of artillery. Far more than Barnes had anyway. He turned to the nearest Tribal Officer "Get on the horn and get some of those fancy fighters you have to give us some support!" he turned back and continued to fire in concentrated bursts

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

The F-22's peeled off one by one to attack the enemy artillery, it wasn't hard to miss. The Paratroops had called for fighter support once the first bombardment had started. One of the other fighers noticed a group of Heli's but, as the markings did not match any country they were at war with, they were left alone.

"Captain!" one of the pilots called over the radio "MiG-35's closing fast!" Half the F-22's turned and dived in to give battle, just as another squadron came from the north to intercept "Finally!" the Captain shouted happily.

Because at that moment, The Alversian I Armoured Battalion was speeding towards Rosser with all the assosiated artillery and air support that an armoured unit needed.

Casualties for the Rosser Counter-Offensive
30 Alversians KIA
55 Alversians WIA/MIA
400 Tribal troops KIA
700 Tribal troops WIA/MIA

As the tribal alliance began to bombard the artillery, the sky was blackened by a hail of tungsten darts. Any of the artillery pieces or men that got in the way were impaled to the ground, or shattered.

As this happened, the two A8 missiles exited the surface of the sea and arched together towrads York airport.

TO:Weccanfield Goverment
FROM:Mj. Bill Weck

We are siding with the Colonial alliance, we are you are allies in this war. we are requesting you not to shoot at our forces.



Mj.Bill Weck sat near Lt. Colonel in his temporary HQ in Rosser.

"Both the Jannisbury Infantry Regiments are almost totally destroyed. the Jannis lost 1200 from their full 1600. you understand that Forks?"

"I do, Major Weck"

"well, i would send message to the Tribal Command. the Jannisbury 1st and 2nd infantry regiments are considered netural from now."



TO: Tribal Stronghold High Command
FROM:Mj. Bill Weck

the 1st and 2nd Jannisbury Infantry Regiments are from now considered netural, and we strongly urge you not to attack them.



Lt. Colonel Harry Forks leaved the room.

"now to other business. i suspect that counter attack is coming soon. fortify the soldiers in defensive positions, and deploy machine-guns and anti-tank guns. the artillery has been bombed by enemy aircraft, and is currently suspended."

"anything else sir?"

"yes. i want you to make those fortifications UNBREACHABLE. no enemy gets though. use the new tanks. that's all for now. oh, and to keep intelligence from falling to enemy hands, use only the Breiga S4 communications. that's all for now."


--------
Colonel William Alberta, Bredford High Command.
-------

"you know, there is a chance we will lose this war." said the former Colonel, who was now the Defence Minister.

"Excuse me sir?"

"The only Airport of the CA is going to be bombed. a deadly hit to our supply routes. we are going to evacute our planes to the small airport we have in Allertown."

"You mean, that by simple bombing of Airport, our forces will have no supply?"

"Yes. and the war is getting unpopular within the public, the 1st and 2nd Jannisbury Infantry Regiments are almost completely destroyed, and have been already evacuted to Bredford."

"but, don't the Colonials still have the York port?" asked one of the prominet staff officers, Brigadier James Canadian.

"James, with the naval superiority of the Tribal allies, i suspect they will be blockading our supply routes. i announce now that if those Colonials don't find a way to feed our soldiers, i will withdraw our soldiers. we simply can't let them starve.

There was a brief respite as the rails from the massive guns were ejected, and replaced automatically.

"Reports show that the enemy artillery is currently fully engaged"

"Good. Lets give the rest of the troops a bit of help. Aim the guns at the fortifications they've started building. But be careful: we've only got enough rails left for 40 shots on each cannon, and then we'll have to wait till tomorrow before any supply shipments get through. Meanwhile, see if we can't get some troops ashore at Roster.

===

The missiles, dots above the main runways of the airport, split into hundreds of bomblets that came tumbling down upon the tarmac.

In the guest room, president Mackenzie was having the time of his life. For years now he had tried to get rid of the huge surplus of food that his country had and now a golden opportunity presented to him.

"My friends, your offer presents great interest to me. I admit that this looks fairly promising, but we first need to know just how much food we are talking about here," he asked, hoping that a large number was going to come from the other.

He was interested, but there was no sign on his face to betray this interest. The only problem he had was with the Novichok nerve agents, since he knew that using such a weapon was strictly forbidden by the treaty, and he had no intention to breach the treaty that kept them at bay.

Maruta advanced further with another cough.

"Our nation is growing exponentially and we are crucially low on food, especially such as fruits and vegetables. We have sufficient meats due to our world-class geographical position in terms of fishing. However, our land is cold and desolate. Agriculture is difficult except on a small area in the Southwest we have already developed and are using. And it is not enough. True, it is exceedingly fertile, but it is only a tiny portion of our country. It produces a great amount of food for its size, but is still not enough. We need foodstuffs from the rest of the world, and we have an idea. All we desire in payment is a 50% discount on food sold on the world market as well as cessation of tariffs and trade barriers between our two nations. We also wish to have preferential status in terms of food trading and the ability to dock our ships or other military units in Colonial ports. In return, we offer ammunition, technical expertise in armour and aircraft, as well as potent chemical weapons. If you do decide you like the chemical weapons, do not use them to support your troops. It will be deadly to them as well. Use it as air interdiction to strike at forces NOT near your troops. So...what do you say...?"

As the ALPHA force re positioned themselves they made on final push to the Town Plaza after blasts from all over and darkness due to cramped fighting formations Cpt Williams was happy to find that the troops had made it to the Town Hall and managed to fortify the wreckage but due to heavy infantry fire the front 7 squads were wiped out, the sight of littered dead bodies were enough to turn people mad but there was no tim to complain, as they looked on there were at least 2 times more troops in the other side of Roster, It seemed like an even match for the 500 remaining ALPHA troops but with another 500 waiting on the north of the Town safety was just 5 minutes away

As the ALPHA force re positioned themselves they made on final push to the Town Plaza after blasts from all over and darkness due to cramped fighting formations Cpt Williams was happy to find that the troops had made it to the Town Hall and managed to fortify the wreckage but due to heavy infantry fire the front 7 squads were wiped out, the sight of littered dead bodies were enough to turn people mad but there was no tim to complain, as they looked on there were at least 2 times more troops in the other side of Roster, It seemed like an even match for the 500 remaining ALPHA troops but with another 500 waiting on the north of the Town safety was just 5 minutes away

OOC: I didn't know any Datium forces were in Roser

IC:
The Paratroops continued to exchange fire with the troops facing them, although they neither attacked or assualted. Content to allow the situation to remain a stalemate. Major Barnes slept with some of his troops while the rest continued to battle

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

North of the city, the I A. Battalion was deploying in case an attack should be launched from here. Apparently, the enemy's artillery had been destroyed so they had little to worry about. Their own aircraft appeared to have the sky above them secured.

The massive railguns of the Holocaust fell silent. The final pairs of glowing rails were dropped off into the refrigerated collector. The air was sweltering hot from the heat rolling off of the mighty guns.

They were lucky to not have been attacked yet fromt he air: with few AA guns, it would have been easily taken down by just a few planes. The commander reviewd the situation.

" Put all power to the main turbines: I want us out of here in international waters where we can't be asily attacked ASAP. And ask command if they can send some more AA for us. I don't want to have to go down with this leviathan."

===

Meanwhile, a telegram was broadcast to all members of the alliance, through encrypted wavelengths:

PRIORITY WARNING

ALFEGOS PLANS TO LAUCH 3 ICBMS ARMED WITH CONVENTIONAL WARHEAD (NON-NUCLEAR)

EVACUATE WITHIN 15 MINS BEFORE HELL BREAKS LOOSE IN YORK AND HEXHAM

AWAITING OBJECTIONS

As the ALPHA force re positioned themselves they made on final push to the Town Plaza after blasts from all over and darkness due to cramped fighting formations Cpt Williams was happy to find that the troops had made it to the Town Hall and managed to fortify the wreckage but due to heavy infantry fire the front 7 squads were wiped out, the sight of littered dead bodies were enough to turn people mad but there was no tim to complain, as they looked on there were at least 2 times more troops in the other side of Roster, It seemed like an even match for the 500 remaining ALPHA troops but with another 500 waiting on the north of the Town safety was just 5 minutes away

Are you speaking about the city of Rosser? because i have no idea how you can consider those 500 soldiers of yours an "even match" to my 8000 infantry, and 500 Leopold 2 Tanks fortificatied in Urban terrain.

OOC: where are British Londinium and Black Reich? they are supposed to help us.

The planes had been unloaded, their pilots sat in their alloted quarters nervously playing cards, sharing whispered conversasions and listening to the distant rumbles and explosions of war. It was the wait all soldiers hated the most, the wait they tried describing to friends and family at home, never quite able to make them understand that this moment of peace was almost as bad as the fighting itself.

Meanwhile teams of engineers worked hard to arm the planes. Like all modern planes, the F-22 and the F-15 came with high maintenance demands (not forgetting high construction costs) that made it unaffordable to many nations. But the Frozopians thrived on war, it was part of their culture as much as any other nation might claim football or music or food is. Their youth spent half their time learning about Frozopian war history and modern warfare both in school and military service. Explaining the huge tax spendings on 'defence' was easy.

Elsewhere a platoon of Frozopian Royal Guard scouts were watching the city of Roser. The M3's had carried them swiftly to their location. The city was being torn apart, but the Frozopians watched with uncaring eyes. These were not their people and were of little concern to them. One of them spoke down the radio.

"Sir we have been watching the city. I request permission to advance into the city for a closer look.....Yes sir. Over and out."

The officer turned to his men.

"We are to advance on foot. We need to sight where the invading Colonial alliance forces and their allies are for our aircrafts. Be wary."

The platoon advanced into the outskirts of the city.....at last the Frozopians had come to war.

The missiles trailed a ball of light as they arched up into the sky. It would be ages until they finally met their targets, as they were the aged sub-orbital rockets of the civil war era. Yet when they finally impacted on the targets of York and Hexham, the devastation caused by the 80 tons semtex warheads would doubtlessly cripple the morale of the colonial forces, and force them to surrender.

Unless, that was, the colonial alliance had an effective counter-attack.

OOC: where are British Londinium and Black Reich? they are supposed to help us.

OOC: Aye, I'll have to chase up them. Either that or they're waiting for the most oppurtune moment.

The helicopters glided above the city, watching the carnage below them. They wondered where the mysterious shells came from, until one of the groups spotted a ship. But it was headed away.

"Command, we've spotted an enemy vessel that is headed away from Roser."

"Leave it. We'll send jets to torpedo it, and get the shore pounder to fire."

Indeed, this was not the only new piece of infomation Command was recieving. Weccanfelt spy satilites had reached orbit above Alestra, and were looking at the ship right now. They saw the rail guns, and also the coordinates - that they were sending straight to the Weccanfelt gunboat. The very same one that had pounded the shore, to get rid of SAM sites.

With a bang, the boat fired all it's shell at the retreating boat, before running off itself, to find a place to fire another volley. Four guided shells headed toward the ship, whistling as they headed toward the ship, destined to hit their targets.

And with a bang, the command office was thrown into disarray. New of two missile hits in two CA cities came into the office, leaving the commander wondering what to do next.

"Who launched them?"

"We don't know. But I think this war just got serious. We've been relatively lightly hit in this war, but with the helis in Roser, that may soon change..."

* * *

The helicopters found themselves shooting their autocannons at building that showed any sign of Tribal activity. They saved their rockets for later, except for one notable exception.

It was a block of flats, one in view of the Alversians. A Tribal squad had been spoted. Unknown to the Pilots, it was just a family. But that didn't spare them two rockets in their apartment. And as the gung-ho pilot flew off, a crying mother could be seen cursing the pilot.

In the seas near Alestra, as the shells did their job*, 4 jet planes started to close in, torpedos primed beneath them.

(OOC: *The amount of which is up to you?)

The Aircraft Carrier Lancia di Dio, Holding position outside of the Tribal City of Langley

~ Admiral Riccardo Perrone had been delighted to be placed in command of one of the NIIN's most prestigious carriers, the Lancia di Dio. It had, so far, fought against every major enemy Nueve Italia had the unlucky fortune to come again, and still survived.

His fleet, though small, was here to provide assistance to the Tribal Stronghold, and its primary duty was to see to it that the 11th was deployed quickly, and then provide both Air and Naval Artillery support for the counter-offensive against the Colonial Alliance.

Knowing full well that not much could be done until the Transport Craft were given permission to unload the soldiers and equipment of the Vestaglies Neres, Admiral Perrone ordered a comm. officer to get in touch with the Langley Port Authority to straighten out the landing.
_____

Attention, Langley Port Authority!

The Nueve Italian Imperial Navy Task Force Seventeen has arrived to lend aid to the Tribal Stronghold in its current conflict. Please direct our fleet to best deploy our soldiers so that they may lend a hand as quickly as possible. We await your commands: as of now all transport craft under Task Force Seventeen are under the direct command of the Langley Port Authority until the unloading has been completed.

Please respond to this message before issuing orders.
~

As the Alfegos ICBMs were speeding across the sky, heading towards their designated targets, alone ship received new orders.

In a matter of seconds, several hatches were opened and half a dozen missiles were launched on a interception course towards the ICBMs.

It would not do for such a precedent to be established, as there was always the chance for someone to slip a nuke using a similar tactic.

---

Tribal Stronghold. Langley HQ.

The events in the last couple of hours had exhausted Michel. As he expected losses in the grand battle of Roser were unavoidable. It was going well though since thanks to the efforts of the allied forces, the city was still in Stronghold hands, for most of the part that is.

It was however unavoidable for him to consider what was going to follow. The true clash was only now going to start. The first and second army were now fully mobilized and deployed and the CA wasn't sitting idle either.

Raising himself from the couch he started planning the next step for his forces.

Maybe the South?

---

To The Nueve Italian Imperial Navy Task Force Seventeen

This is the Langley Port Authority, Pier 1 to 3 have been reserved for your arrival, you may begin unloading now.

Thank you for your cooperation.

------

Colonial Alliance. HQ.

Alberta didn't believe her eyes. The quick escalation of events in Roser turned the city into a ruin and the Tribals were actually forced to retreat in parts of the city. Too bad that the allies of the TS weren't idle.

There was however a good part about this. With all the attention focused on Roser and with the allies of the CA pressing the TS lines, there was nobody watching towards the South and she had two armies there.

But there was also something that made her a bit edgy. Two missiles had just hit the airport and reports estimated it would take almost two weeks to patch things up. It was only the fact that she ordered the opening of a secondary air field that kept planes in the air. A very unpleasant vulnerability, and one that costed her valuable supplies.

And talking about supplies, she needed to let her allies know that they should probably focus on weapons and ammo. The CA had more than enough food for all the forces involved. There was only the matter of getting it to the hungry troops.

------

In his reception room president Mackenzie was pondering his options. The offer of the Tartarystan representative was tempting enough for him.

"We will only sign an agreement if Tartarystan agrees to acquire yearly, for the next ten years, 30% of our domestic production of food. Furthermore we request that no chemical or biological unit is to be used by Tartarystan in Alestra and that we will receive a small discount for ammunition acquired from your nation."

ooc - i never new people with under 100 posts were aloud to have nukes

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

With news of 8000 infantry units on the other side of the town of Rosser, The Captain knew he would have to rely on the Datius BETA force only Five miles away. With an expected 3 hours (3 mins) for re-inforcements (in toal with the ALPHA force 6000) would most definately be a good match for the opposing forces to win this battle would be a major win but cpt Jenkins stood with bandages up his leg thinking, even if the BETA force get here that's the only help we can get thats like 6000 onto 9000, although....

A distress signal was sent to Captain Juriel of the DAF asking for a total of 30 DTA-2000's to be sent to the city of Rosser, Datium were putting everything into this battle and knowing that with several other forces on the frontline, that no other troops can take a different approach the planes would also take a total of 3 hours (3 mins) to arrive.

As the re-inforcement troops come through the city they call for the leader of the Bredford force

To: Bredford
From Datium

We would like to ask if Datium and Bredford agree on an ammediate cease-fire lasting for 9 hours. To round up troops and sort out positions we think that this would benifit both forces at the minute

what do you say?

Mj. Bill Weck arrived an important decision.

"Thomas!"

Intelligence Officer Thomas Vellington immediantly arrived.

"Yes sir?"

"Give orders to the 1st Brigade, i want an entire assault in Rosser. they should be advancing until we own half or more of the town. tell them to use everything they got. Tanks, SAGL's, Artillery.."

"Yes sir!"

-------------
An Hour later, City of Rosser
-------------

A Massive Assault was conducted by the 1st Brigade in the city of Rosser. military officials report that atleast 30% of the buildings in middle Rosser were destroyed during the advance of the 1st Brigade, especially by Tank fire. because of the unexpected attack, the 1st Brigade forces moved the entire line two kilometres into Rosser, but Mj. Bill Weck was afraid that Tribal Forces would be counter-attacking.

however, a recent receive telegram from Datium indicates that the Tribal army is in disorganization, and this increases the chances for success.

As the re-inforcement troops come through the city they call for the leader of the Bredford force

To: Bredford
From Datium

We would like to ask if Datium and Bredford agree on an ammediate cease-fire lasting for 9 hours. To round up troops and sort out positions we think that this would benifit both forces at the minute

what do you say?

as i already started massive assault i would demand that my line should be advanced 20 kilometres into Rosser.

The 5th Paratroop Regiment fought fiercely to defend their positions but lost ground to the sheer amount of enemy troops. The tanks were not a problem as they were at a disadvantage in built up areas and many were lost to AT fire from buildings or cellars. The Alversian/Tribal troops conducted a fighting withdrawal until their own lines were secured. The battle had been fierce and Allied losses heavy, but they had kept a hold in the city and now the Tribal troops launched fierce and constant counter-attacks supported by the Apache Gunships of the APAAF. They suffered heavily but managed to retake a few hundred metres in places.

"Losses?" Barnes asked grimly as he sat at his new command post, with the wounded being tended to. He had a piece of shrapnel in his arm and needed it removed before ge could return to an exhausted frontline. His medic replied "losses are as follows, sir:
40 Alversians KIA
30 Alversians MIA/WIA
400 Tribal KIA
300 Tribal WIA"

Barnes grimaced "How many wounded are fit to hold a gun?"
"Quite a few, Sir"
"Send 'em back to the front, we need everything there" He picked up a nearby radio reciever and began to call the other Allied Forces in the area

"Any units that have not been forced back, need urgent reinforcements in the Northwest of the city. Our line is too thin and will be pierced if we are not reinforced soon" Tribal units were arriving but in bits and pieces so they did not make up for the days losses. Bloody day he thought grimly as the artillery outside the city went into action against the occupied sectors within the suburbs.

Wearside. A moderately-sized city of around a third of a million residents. Sheltered from most of the war, that shelter was to come crashing down on it.

Wearside was between Lancaster and the Frontline. A rather quaint town, it did not pose much strategical significance. There weren't any major resources, though it did have a few farms. It wasn't the richest city in the Tribal Stronghold, in fact, it was rather average.

Twelve giant TU-160s flew across the sky. Nicknamed the White Swans for being pure white and surprisingly manuverable, they sped across the sky at around eighteen hundred kilometers per hour. True, they were spotted on radar, but the scrambling of fighters was useless. They were twelve thousand meters in the air and going at such a speed, it was impossible to go up and catch them with anything, even missiles. Each of them dropped their deadly payload, calculated mathematically to all smash into the city perfectly. The White Swans dropped 180,000 kilograms of napalm all over the city, guaranteed to set the city ablaze. However, they dropped many 240,000 of very explosive bombs just before they dropped the napalm. The effect would be devastating. There was enough napalm along to burn the entire town and its residents to a crisp, and enough bombs alone to kill everything in town and render the town uninhabitable. The bombs would turn the city in rubble before the rubble and people caught on fire from the napalm. The napalm was one of their most sophisticated chemicals, guaranteed to burn for over thirty minutes. Not only would it burn, but it would suck all of the oxygen out of the city. Those who did not burn or die from the bombs would suffocate. If anyone tried to put it out, 60,000 more kilograms of freefalling bombs just over the napalm would stop them dead in their tracks. Literally. The town was in short: Doomed. The White Swans sped off into the distance.

3. No nukes, biochem weapons or the likes. Both factions want the land as undamaged as possible.

OOC: No Biochem weapons! The napalm is OK though, a bit too much, but OK. And you really should have asked me about a city before mentioning one. Give it a smaller pop, since most of the civilians live up in the north.

IC:

It was an awful day for Cloud Nightdancer. Even though this area of the country was relatively peaceful his squadron was still in the air. Normally he would have enjoyed being in the air with these birds, but this was not a normal day. As the only squadron outfitted with latest generation Principality Interceptors they got their work cut for them.

"Why are we..." he started whining when a series of blinking points on his RLTP unit caught his attention.

"Boys, it seems we have some work cut for us."

---

In the north of the country the 1st Mechanized Infantry Division had just finished regrouping. At the request of their allies they moved to reinforce the position in Roser.

In his reception room president Mackenzie was pondering his options. The offer of the Tartarystan representative was tempting enough for him.

"We will only sign an agreement if Tartarystan agrees to acquire yearly, for the next ten years, 30% of our domestic production of food. Furthermore we request that no chemical or biological unit is to be used by Tartarystan in Alestra and that we will receive a small discount for ammunition acquired from your nation."

Maruta coughed.

"Everything is acceptable except the last. It's far too late to change that. Now, I understand you fear chemicals that do permanent harm to the land, and Tartarystan does not use those kind of chemicals. Anything we use will do not permanent damage to the land. After all, we've used most of our chemicals on our OWN land before, and it did absolutely no damage. I think a counteroffer is needed. We will agree to all of those except the last. For that, we will agree to not use any biological or chemical weapons that will cause environmental damage. We cannot afford to lose such a critical tactical advantage."

OOC: Nerve gas doesn't actually damage the environment like most chemical weapons do, so I thought it was ok...I fixed it though. Lowered the population considerably. True, that is a lot of napalm, but for a nation that killed more than a fourth of itself with military means, nothing is overkill. ^_^

the urban fighting wasn't very good for the tanks of the 1st Brigade, but the Semi-Automatic Grenade Launchers proved efficent.

the 1st Brigade had the benefits of both sheer number and both better weapons, as the allied tribal Paratroopers were equiped with average rifles

(you are using DR-89 guns, which are inferior to my XM-8, as can see in the price of both of them, and such.) the tank losses were quite high, but the losses in infantry were small.

the Tribal soldiers fought brave and hard, but due to their number they lost several important neighboardhoods in Rosser, and the 1st Brigade kept advancing in Rosser.


Losses:
40 Leopold Tanks
150 Infantry
(This may seem unequal losses, but remember that Tanks worth far more then infantry soldiers and my infantry were much better equiped.)

(move the frontline in Rosser to my favor please Damirez)

OOC: I request to stop the battle and "time" in Rosser until i can continue, as i must go to bed.

Thousands...

Thousands of human lives lost in just a night. Mothers crying for their children, children wailing after their mothers. In just a matter of minutes almost 30.000 civilians lost their lives.

The ones that committed this murder had no idea what they have just set in motion.

In the skies above the city the plane squad could only watch in horror. There was nothing they could do for the people on the land, but they could avenge them.

(you are using DR-89 guns, which are inferior to my XM-8, as can see in the price of both of them, and such.) the tank losses were quite high, but the losses in infantry were small.

Losses:
40 Leopold Tanks
150 Infantry
(This may seem unequal losses, but remember that Tanks worth far more then infantry soldiers and my infantry were much better equiped.)

OOC: The Paratroops are the elite of the Alversian Army, they were holding strong defensive positions, backed up by large amounts of heavy machine guns. I doubt that all that would inflict only 150 casualties.

The Frozopian scouting platoons pushed further into the city. They were entering the warzone now. Sighting key Colonial alliance defensive formations in the southern section of the city, as well as those belonging to Bredford and other CA allies the men did their best to avoid fighting. Sometimes this was impossible.

Lieutenant Sean Pauls platoon had brocken into a office block where a power outtage probably due to a stray shell striking the power line had occured. The building offered a view over what looked like to be a HQ. Sean Paul could not resist the temptation of such a potential target for the Frozopian artillery, but he had to confirm it.

But pure misfortune allowed a CA officer who just walked around the corner and onto the street to spot the last two privates entering the building, and immediatly the platoon was under fire forcing them to sprint into the building. Next minute the platoon is pinned down in the office lobby area, and with what looked like 2 companies at the door the Frozopians suddenly understood that it was time to die. The enemy ceased fire.

"Does anyone want to surrender?" Sean Paul's asked his men in the silence.
"Fuck that." Replied his seargent, stepping up with his Frozopian made SMG and unleashing a spray into the first CA soldier brave enough to peer into the building. The man fell back and immediatly the enemy on the other side were firing blindly into the building, their bullets flying wildly but striking none as the Frozopians ducked behind cover......


Meanwhile the armoured division was rolling into position. The Royal Frozopian artillery would be in range of the city within the hour, when at this time they planned to commence fire on enemy targets pinpointed using the information they had obtained from Frozopian scouting platoons, Satellite data and Tribal stronghold intell. Overhead Frozopian F-22's obtained further information on enemy positions.

General Crawford (obviously not personally) was busy rounding up Tribal stronghold and any other allied troops who were scattered all over the city. When the Frozopians struck he wanted to be the decisive hammer who won this battle. His airforce and artillery would strike accurately at the enemy heart, and the allies of the TS would pounce in with the final blow. But first they must wait. The Armoured division were patient.....after all what was one hour?

Background Brief

Etoile Arcture and the Tribal Stronghold of Alestra have long enjoyed a positive and fruitful relationship stretching back at least 50 years. Many Etoile Arcturens choosing to vacation on the island, and hundreds of thousands having emigrated to what is considered by many in the Unitary Technocracy as one of the most picturesque parts of the world.

In part this can be explained by the values shared between both nations, the Tribal Stronghold theocratic government and the Unitary Technocracy both being societies whose driving force is meritorcratic achievement. But the links run even deeper, whether social, economic or cultural. To what degree no-one outside the inner circles of the Unitary Technocracy and and the Tribal Stronghold could be entirely certain. Or, for that matter, how those in Etoile Arcture would react to this unexpected crisis.

Breaking News

E. A. Evacuation Teams Arrive in North Alestra

By JONATHON MEADOWS
AP Diplomatic Directorate Correspondent

http://aaesor2005.vnunetblog.fr/photos/lairbus_a400_m/1123000138779_1_1.jpg
Airbus A400Ms of the Etoile Arcture Defence Forces seen on the apron at Vitalia International Airport in ViZon earlier today

NEW AUGUSTATOWN, Etoile Arcture (AP) - E.A. security teams landed at the Arcturen embassy just outside Lancaster on Sunday to plan the evacuation of some of the estimated 250,000 E.A citizens living in war-torn North Alestra.

Witnesses said two unmarked Boeing Quad Tilt-Rotor aircraft, believed to be operated by the Defence Directorate Special Forces, flew in and landed on the embassy grounds, located on a fortified hilltop in the north Lancaster suburb of Ryeland Park.

"The arrival of the teams is an important first step in facilitating the safe departure of Arcturens who want to leave North Alestra," the embassy said in a statement.

Alestran and multinational forces have been striking at targets in North and South Alestra ever since the Colonial Alliance in the north of the island launched an unprovoked and unexpected attack that almost saw the Tribal Stronghold city of Bedford fall into their hands and has since seen fierce fighting by local and multinational forces around the city of Rosser.

Colonial Alliance airstrikes targeting runways have closed down Lancaster's international airport. Multinational forces have also imposed a naval blockade on the island and has made road travel dangerous by targeting many of the main highways.

"We obviously have plans and contingency plans should we need to bring people out," General Secretary of the Diplomatic Directorate Anthony Reyes told reporters via a live video link from the General Secretariat’s Office on Sunday. "I get reports on this every couple of hours as to how this is going. Our ambassador, Director General Cantwell, who is on the ground will obviously do what we need to protect Arcturens."

The Diplomatic Directorate said Friday that Arcturens in North Alestra should consider leaving when it was safe to do so. Officials made contingency plans to evacuate people who cannot leave on their own. Family members and non-emergency Arcturen employees of the E.A. Embassy in North Alestra have been given permission to leave.

"We've already allowed authorized departures of some of our personnel in the embassy," Reyes said on TNN News Sunday.

The Unitary Technocracy estimates 250,000 Arcturens live or work in North Alestra, but officials assume far fewer would choose to leave. The Diplomatic Directorate said it was working with the Defence Directorate on a plan for helping Arcturen citizens leave.

General Kohinoor had landed at the embassy just as word had arrived of the firebombing of Rosser and the attacks on Lancaster airport. There were no reports of Artcuren casualties, but there was an inevitability to the fact that there would be.

“How are we doing on air ops?“ asked the three-star general as she and her small headquarters team of only three, with a squad of Special Forces riflemen acting as bodyguards, made the short walk up and through the fortifications to the embassy building.

“Richmand International remains operational,” reported Ramsey, her adjutant. “Interface Command are in the process of inserting SAMP/T batteries and an integrated armour battalion has already secured the airport. They anticipate evac operations can begin at 03:00 dark. A squadron of F-32s will be acting as escorts.”

Ramsey’s brief lasted as long as it took to ascend the stone staircase into the old building. A converted colonial fortress by the looks of it, Kohinoor reasoned. Diplomatic Directorate personnel were already waiting for them as they went in through the heavy main doors. Even more personnel were scurrying about as documents were taken to be shredded and packed bags dragged ready for the evacuation. They would be leaving. Kohinoor and her people would be staying.

“Amabassador Cantwell,” Ramsey introduced the smart dressed diplomatic who was waiting to greet them.

“Major General Kohinoor, First Expeditionary Brigade. We’re here to take over your embassy.”

****

Lieutenant Morley’s platoon had dug in ten klicks north of Rosser, his mission to protect Highway 4 between Richmond and Bedford.

The four vehicles of his integrated armour platoon comprised three Talon+ fighting vehicles and one of the new Cataphract Assault Tanks. The conversion to these new hybrid-electric drive vehicles was still a recent one, and Morley had his private mosgivings over the new kit following his experiences during refitting.

He had at least been able to drive out most of the kinks in those particular four vehicles that made up his platoon, and the one thing he had no doubts over was having what amounted to an armoured gun system in his platoon. The CAT, as the assault panzers were appreciatively called by their operators, gave the integrated armour platoon much needed teeth with its 105 smoothbore gun, while the three fighting vehicles with their 60 mm autocannons and HVM-KE missiles provided mutual support, and vice versa.

Sitting inside the new cockpit style fighting compartment in the lead CAT, Morley could monitor his wingmen in real time over two-way datalinks, and jack into the higher sensor network to get the bigger picture on the battlefield. The only thing he couldn’t get on his screens it seemed was cable news or the Playboy Channel.

If he could get - the news, of course - he would have seen it was all full of the E.A. evacuation operation for the island. How Airbus’ were staging out of ViZion and Doomingsland airports to bring the civvies back home. What it wasn’t showing, what the various directorates had been careful to hide from the prying eyes of reporters and news camera crews, was what was arriving on the evacuation birds at Richmond Airport.

It had been how Morley had arrived in country, in the belly of an A400M. Every bird landing at Richmind had had its belly filled with a Talon+ or a CAT, or a SAMP/T firing unit, or an Excalibur automatic mortar, or hundreds of standardised cargo palettes. Under the guise of an evacuation operation the Technocracy was in fact mobilizing. Moving an entire Expeditionary Brigade by air, complete with manned fighter escorts and UCAV air cover. E.A. would be conducting an evacuation at some point, but it wouldn’t be leaving Alestra. They were here to say.

Morley switched back out of the higher network and back to his local sensor matrix. Relaxing in his padded bucket seat he gently moved the tiny joystick on a his crew station to slew the hyperspectral mast sensor on the roof of his panzer. Above him all someone might see at ground level was movement by some brush among the dirt making a slow circle, and perhaps, if they were eagle eyed enough, they might see another piece of brush twitching in the moonlight a hundred metres away. The entire integrated armour company wasn't so much dug in than buried, hidden from observation and waiting...

OOC: Off to bed-byes. I'll be RPing tommorrow putting my forces properly into the theatre of war once I have a order of battle figured out.

The two missiles hurtled towards the targets, ready to bring devestation to the cities. Yet before they deployed the final stage, the patriot missiles from an unknown target found their mark and destroyed them.

However, the third missile, headed for York, continued unabated. The two missiles that locked onto it were confused by the ejected used stage, and locked onto that. Any missile that did follow would have been discouraged by chaff ejected from the back.

=====

The APS Holocaust was on fire!
The shells from seemingly nowhere had impacted along the ship, destroying half of the massive railguns, and setting fire to a massive bank of capacitors:
if these were lost, another two railguns would be down.

Below deck, a compartment finally gave way, and a massive fist of water broke into the empty munitions storage room and the communications room. Within a few seconds, hundred ton bulkheads slammed dwon to contain the leak.

In the bridge, only one encrypted radio was working, and it was being used:

"Mayday! This is the APS Holocaust. We are under attack from the shore and are requesting immediate fire support. Mayday!"

=====

On the mainland of Alfegos, the sirens sounded at fighter command as the 15 stationed AF 06 fighters shot off of the runway.

These were followed by the angled forms of the Wyvern Stealth Bombers, each with a payload of 2 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and 50 tons of black napalm. They were the avenger squadron, and would deal harshly with the attackers of the holocaust.

=====

Underneath the wave surface at York port, the ships in dock had been targeted, and 4 guided A1 Torpedos with sabot warheads glided from the face of the submarine.

In case it was discovered, the Boa blew the air from its tanks, and sunk swiftly to its maximum operating depth.

As several DTA-2000 Aircraft flew overhead letiing off missiles left right and centre it meant the ALPHA force could catch the infantry off guard, wiping out most of the first line.

With the Power of the DTA's only the tanks could stop them, and they had to fight off the opposing quickly the 6000 Datius troops were advancing well, and with 500 men lingering behind securing there positions things looked up.

"Come on!, we can take this city, and destroy those SOB's!"
The captains voice was muffled by a plane destroying the opposing tanks. The captain orders the troops to hold a hard line and that the troops hehind create a crescent shape behind them, this was a well known tactic in the Datius Military

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

The Office of Newly-Elected Prime Minister Ryan Laing

"YES!" not the usual screams from the prime minister's office but afterall Mr Laing is a moe 'upbeat' character the Mr Horass. The Prime Minister was delighted at the advancements in the city of Rosser and order for one more offensive to take place
"Fire a Napalm Bomb at there side of the city, in the city!"
"But sir,...."
"No you heard me, the principality has allowed us and thats wat we shall do we have several napalm bombs already in Alestra and will fire a total of 5, they may have anti-missile guns!"

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

"everyone duck!" screamed the captains as several missiles shot down several tanks and infantry units and after a wait of five seconds the Datius troops marched through the smoke firing at any enemies that moved, they were 100m away from taking the town and with several napalm at the ready an equal Infantry and Artillery division and 12 DTA-2000's hovering overhead they decided to leave one last message

to: Bredford

we will give you one last chance to evacuate the city and move back into Colonial Landbase, if you refuse to take this offer we shall take the rest of the city and have fortification

what do u say?!

ooc - where is rosser? is it on the coast?

A telegram was sent directly to the Prime minister's office of the Tribal stronghold


The Oily Prata Defence Force Would like to Assist you in the face of the Colonials. We believe that the colonials have commited crimes against humanity and would like to help in what way we can.Right now our 14th division is heading towards your city of richmond, which seems to be occupied, via air. They will arrive within hours.
A few hundred KM away from the city, what looked like a swarm of angry hornets, really dozens of pelican transports and gunships,came into view. Inside were thousands of soldiers waitng for their first real taste of combat..

OOC: yeah, kinda weak...not my best work

OOC: Just a point, how would you know where it is? I mean ICly. I've only been there for a couple of hours.

OOC:Quite true,Let's Just say The OPDF is'mt new to this conflict. In other words, we saw your armies.But, i'm editing my post
Response to below post:Now I'm Waiting for DamiRez to rp me in. There is a Chance that he could direct me to your base

OOC: Hmm, still, that still a fair couple of miles south, so you've got a large area to search. My base is in the forest south of Bedford, in the middle of that big area

lol. i told you not to continue fighting until i can respond. but instead you bring reinforcements and throw Naplam at me when i am at bed.

fine.

(by the way Alversia, i didn't know that your Paratroopers are Elite, and by Datium's message i thought the Tribal army was disorganized, so i am sorry.)



TO: Datium
FROM: Mj. Bill Weck, commander of the 1st Brigade.

I hope you understand that by using Naplam, you are preparing for unconvential war. our armies have fought on 'Humanic' way, not killing captured and protecting civilian property as long as it was possible. you are using Naplam now, which is 'un-humanic' weapon. if we will encounter Datium forces, and you shall execute that bomb, we are going to execute most all of the. (usually i have been using 'Taser' to take them captured). further more we shall execute all of our Datium ALPHA force captured.

To: Mjr B. Weck
From: PM R. Laing

we understand that you are in shock due to the attacks via napalm and ensure we will not use a napalm assault again

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

Meanwhile in the city centre, the Datius BETA force push ahead crushing the opposing infantry and with several DTT firing from a distance, the DTT's speciality, they can try and dismantle the opposition tanks letting the ALPHA force strike from the side.... leaving the opposition's infantry units in the city crushed the ALPHA/BETA force have time to re-position themselves to defent there current progress from the rest of the Bredford force in the south

the Bredford forces advanced, but considerable number of soldiers and high number tanks were lost.

the advance of Bredford soldiers was slown, and eventually stopped by Datium forces.

the city front entered a stalemate, where both forces began to entrench and fortify their forces.

Losses for Bredford:

420 Soldiers

35 Leoopold 2 Tanks

OOC: Datium i ask you to create a losses list for you, because you are the only one who didn't do it yet. and make it considerably high, as it needs to includes all your losses till now.

Datium's Losses:

1 DTA-2000
6 DTT-500's
600 Infantry Units

what is exactly the DTA-2000 and the DTA-500? Planes, Tanks?

The Frozopians pushed forward. As they began their approach, the city seemed to explode. General Crawford had intended his innitial bombardment to shock and awe the enemy, with the Royal Frozopian Artillery unleashing their load of shell and missile fire at the same time as the F-15's.

The city was lit up again and again, huge explosions erupting in the enemy defensive formations. HQ's were torn assunder, infantry were thrown into the air, tanks had their very turrets torn from them as rapid fire missiles poured into them and slower howitzer fire blanketed them in death. Above F-15 pilots streaked through the skies unleashing their very own rain of death.

High concentrations of defensive formations and armoured units were targetted primarily, but in the chaos Tribal Stronghold civilians suffered. Frozopians disregarded the safety of these foreigners, prefering to eliminate any potential threat to their own troops over the safety of 'barbarians'.

3000 Frozopian infantry rode and marched into the city, supported by the various M2/M3 Bradleys and 1000's of other Tribal stronghold soldiers and their scattered allies. The Bradleys had been further customised by the advanced Frozopian military and they prooved hardy carriers in the toughest of circumstances. Frozopian Avalanche tanks were monstrosities, blowing apart enemy defences and building walls with enthusiasm. 70 of the Large powerful tanks pushed forward in the attack.

-------

Lieutenant Sean Paul was bleeding to death, but he still had a grim smile on his face. He and his men had been forced further and further up the office block, as the colonial alliance soldiers driven on in fury at the loss of their comrades attacked over and over again. The Frozopian scouting platoon had retreated from the lobby area acknowledging that there were too many entrances, instead prefferring to hold the two flights of stairs from the first floor.

Seargent Davids had fallen first, a brave enemy soldier stepping into the open and hurling a grenade into the seargents face. The grenade blew the seargents' face to pieces and immediatly the enemy charged to be met by scything rifle and SMG fire. Their own dead slowed their progress, and after 7 Colonial Alliance soldiers lay dead or bleeding they were forced to retreat.

Now after a hours bloody fighting over a totally unsignificant office block Sean Paul was on his own, barely concious as the remaining Colonial alliance inside and outside the building were driven back by the Frozopian Royal Guard's advance....

The ICBM payload was 20 miles from its target. Yet orders had come in from high command: civilian casualties were to be avoided, and the attack was to be cancelled.

For the citizens of York, it was a beautiful sight as the missile self-destructed over the sea, filling the sky with trails of flame.

=====

The waters outside the ruined town of Rosser were silent as the 400 landing craft deployed from the supertransport Alpha cut through the water to the silent shores. The enemy had no clue they were there as the first wave hit the beach and rushed for cover. No they had to wait for the inevitable coutner-attack from the colonial alliance when they did discover the beach littered with boats.

Behind them, the larger transports were coming to shore with the 40 LY4 Wolfhounds. They, once landed, would form the spearhead of the pincer attack on the colonials.

=====

Over the sea, the Avenger squadron had their target: all the ships docked inside the supposedly safe port of York. The exocet missiles deployed, and locked on their targets, the squadron banked sharply and came gliding over towards the positions in Dosser. However, before the deadly black napalm was deployed, they were told to return to base: napalm was now not allowed.

=====

Squad Alpha 13 had entered the town of Hexham without resistance: no-one was expecting an attack this far inland. Their objective was simple: to destroy as much military equipment as possible, before capturing the town hall and raising the Tribal Flag.

to: Bredford

I apoligise for lack of info, the DTT-500 is a tank, and the DTA-2000 is a plane

Tribal stronghold. Military Headquarters


What happened in the last few hours was shocking. The heavy fighting in Roser was to be expected. The clashes in the air were nothing new, but there was nothing to prepare them for the huge loss of life in a city that had nothing to do with the war.

"What happened out there! Have the colonials gone mad!" the Prime Minister roared at Michel Belisarius.

"No, I don't think it was them,not even they would be so mad to use napalm against civilians. Reports from the air force should make things clear about the identity of these assailants," the commander replied in a somewhat bitter tone. He was a soldier, but using napalm on civilians?

"You do that, Michel, you do that. I want those Colonial murderers exposed to the world. I want to make them pay!"

"I'll make sure of that Patrick."

"Good. How about the city of Roser?"

"Heavy fighting, we seem to have the upper hand, but it's mostly allied forces that do the fighting. I'm keeping my forces in reserve with the exception of the 1st mechanized division. I'm preparing to get back at these bastards."

"I'll leave it to your hands Michel, bring us victory!"

---


To: The Government of Etoile Arcture.

We are deeply grateful for the assistance that your nation provides. It is our hope that our good relations will continue to improve in the near future .

This is why we feel great pain to inform you that Arcturen citizens have fallen under fire. We do not have a list of casualties, but it is believed that among the thousands of dead of injured Arcturen citizens are included.

Patrick Sunhawk.


---

To: The government of Oily Prata.

We have received your request for a landing site. In order to accomodate your forces we have prepared a site west of the city of Bedford. We recommend that your forces head immediatly for the city of Roswer which is witnessing heavy fighting.

Michel Belisarius - Supreme Comander of the Stronghold Army.

------


Colonial Alliance. Military HQ.

Looking at the map Alberta Kinkard was ploting her next move. Much to her surprise the city of Roser was still a battlefield, with neither side gaining the decisive hand, but her Intel reported heavy reinforcements being brought in by the other side. She knew that if she wanted to keep her enemies unaware, some of her forces had to be committed to the engagement.

At this point however, the town of Roser was just one of the many issues on her list. One of her frigates had been badly damaged in a recent sneak attack by enemy subs and an ICBM was destroyed near the capital! She had no illusions as to who did that, but it was still frightening. While there were special nets in the port, there were no net to stop an ICBM.

But to top all this was the matter of the napalm use. She really hoped that George was smart enough to prevent another strike like that. After all, he knew what the other option was.

------

Colonial Alliance. Presidential Palace.

"I am afraid that's not quite acceptable. While we can do without a reduction in prices, if a free shipment of weapons is first delivered as a gesture of good will, we can not allow the use of biochemical weapons. We realize that they represent an important advantage, but should we use them I dread the consequences.."


------


The Principality of Damirez. Urgent meeting.

"So it is approved?"

"Yes, they all agreed. 'Humanitarian aid' is going to be sent to the Stronghold."

"Good, this will prevent something like that atrocity from taking place again."

"How long do you think it will be until we'll have to send men there again?"

"I don't know, but it seems inevitable."

The Datius ALPHA/BETA force decided to make one more push to get the opposition out, in quick succession the surprise of the troops aloud the opposition to try and get back...

...after 3 hours the Datius troops had managed to fight off and push the Bredford force out the City, the 8500 remaining troops fortified the city or wreckage and lifted up Native flag.

But Mjr Reynolds knew that even after they have pushed the opposition out they probably will come back... perhaps he may have to negotiate

Damirez, while you're at it, please give my army directions...

OOC: i am sorry it took me long time to see that, but you can't possibly get me out of the town without me even reply.

IC:

Mj. Bill Weck seen his critical situation. Tribal Allied Forces are pushing out of the town, and he is already facing a full-scale assault. he decided that he will retreat from town and causing as much casulties to the enemy. he would regroup with the first Colonial army on the road to Langley and he would fortify positions there. all prisoners of war are to stay alive and returned in the end of the war, expect the soldiers of Datium, who were executed due to Datium's use of Naplam. Datium weapons and intelligence were collected from the dead prisoners, and are to be kept with the Bredford military.

Losses:

110 Infantry

10 Leopold 2 Tanks

[QUOTE]

TO: Tribal Goverment and Tribal Allies (not Datium)
FROM:Mj. Bill Weck

All of your prisoners have been kept alive, and we ask you to leave ours alive and treated well too. our AMTV vehicles are not fighting, and they must not be shot at, as they are carrying and taking care of our wounded.

TO: Datium
FROM:Mj. Bill Weck

Due to your Goverment barbarious actions, all of your prisoners have been executed.

To: Bredford

Although we despise your decision we hope that no more barbaric deaths occur

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

The Datius ALPHA force consisting of 900 men are flown out of Alestra as they have finished fighting there. Meanwhile 2500 Dovent/Solenial Forces stay in Rosser and the BETA force of 5000 are on call for the Prime Minister of the Tribal Stronghold to assign them there new positions

Prime minister Patrick Sunhawk was a man with a heavy heart. Not long ago he had sent news to the Etoile Arcture government, now with the first reports arriving he knew that a simple message was not enough.

As he made his call, he hoped that against all odds these reports were not 100% true.

"Ambassador Cantwell?"

---

Inside the command centre commander Belisarius received news of the arriving aid from Etoile Arcture. In a way the Arcturians were already fighting on the front lines as volunteers from the naturalized Arcturian civilians were serving in the army, but this was something else entirely.

He had to talk with General Kohinoor, and if until now the lack of a secure network made that a risky endeavour, recent developments made things a lot more simpler.

"Officer, open a line on the FreeSatNet network, I want to talk with General Kohinoor."

"Yes, sir."

It took just a few minutes for Belisarius to have the face of the general on his screen, but only a few seconds for the conversation to begin.

"Greetings general..."

------

To Bredford military commander.

Major, our forces still hold several position inside the town. We request your assistance until the bulk of our forces arrives.

Alberta Kinkard.

A few kilometers away from land, The Pelican group diverted. The bulk headed to the base in Bedford, while 1000 soldiers were diverted to Roser as reinforcements.
Friendly forces in Roser heard this measure
"We are the OPDF Marines. Where do you want us?"

OOC: if you are soldiers are in town, then forget my post in the CA HQ.

the 1st brigade has been redeployed in the city of Bredford.

The LY4 Tanks were now onland, and were beginning to harass the enemy supply routes on the road to rosser. The infantry, artillery and engineer corps were not far behind, in their Stryker APC carriers.

Yet the attempts to stop the already poor supplys reaching the depleted army in Rosser was only the beginning. The re-enforcements that were coming this way were about to be surprised by the traps that had been set on the road and in the forests.

=====

The excocet missiles were on their final flight, having automatically selected all the shipping in the area with the least anti-missile cover. The other more powerful ships wee about to experience the torpedos that were coming thier way from the silent Boa and Anaconda.

=====

The 3rd army of the Colonial troops was unaware of the damage that was being carried out on their vehicles, as Alpha 13 made sure that any vehicle in the area was put out of action. All the time, they were wary of being discovered.

=====

Aboard the holocaust, the fires had been put out, and repairs had started on the railguns. The cargo ship and repair ships in the area had arrived, and were now repairing the gash in the hull of the Holocaust.

Though only 6 of the railguns were able to be repaired, this still represented enough firepower to bring down most of the enemy re-enforcements, as it now had enough supplies for a heavy bombardment.

Yet the effects were limited for now, as the barely functional weapons could now only fire at about 1 round every 2 miuntes. And as the coolant had been damaged, there was a fire risk even from this.

But the ship still was intact, and with fighter cover from the nearby light carrier, it would not succumb to any missiles or air attack.

And the ships that fired at it were about to have a nasty shock.

Sonia Kohinoor was not a happy soldier. Barely a third of the Second Expeditionary Brigade had been able to deploy due to the politicans insistence of switching the air bridge to civilian evacuation operations. They had at least agreed to a construction battalion to be flown in and start building a deadicated airfield. It would be a soft-field facility at first, but the A400Ms would be able to cope with that.

That left what was meant to be Battle Group Aurore with only five battalions on the ground: an air defence artillery group and an integrated armour battalion to defend Richmond International Airport. two battalions dug in on the approaches and along Highway Four from Bedgord, and a reserve armour battalion just outside Richmond itself. Her air assets, additional to the evacuation aircraft which were nominally under her command, include two joint attack squadrons of F-32Ds and various support units with tilt-rotors and light 6x6 utility vehicles.

The evacuation was bleeding resources away from the military side of things, but the Secretarait had voted and she had to abide by that decision.

Compared to the beating sun outside the command post in the historic embassy was at least cool thanks to the AC, in spite of the computing clusters and deck-to-ceiling wall screens that flickered with each update from the reconnaisance network the Arcturians were building up. “Do you know what I think when I look at all this?” the general commented to no one in particular.

“No, ma’am,” replied Ramsey, none to pleased at the distraction as he looked up from his work station next to hers.

“I hope to god that we have enough Cisco certified engineers for this thing.”

Kohinoor smiled, but Major Ramsey was his typically granite-faced dour self. One thing the major wasn’t was a yes man, even to the point of not laughing at his superior officers lame jokes.

“At +1 Day we still retain air superiority over the Colonial Alliance,” her adjutent explained, his attention seemingly split between looking at her and the data on his screen. “The UAV squadron has deployed and begun sending back recon imagery of the area around Bedford and Rosser. The picture is clearing by the hour. We have detected traffic along the highways leading from Langley. I took the libertly of flagging all the coalation headquarters.”

Sonia nodded. Another thing Ramsey was was highly efficient.

“I have General Belisarius on the scrambler, ma’am,” her adjutant told her, and and the face of the infamous womaniser flashed on to her screen.

“Greetings General,” the Tribal Stronghold army chief said to open their conversation. “It seems we have a problem.”

“Yes, doesn’t it seem so,” smirked Sonia as she regarded the lined face of the notorious womaniser before her. Considering the events of the last day she thought he looked remarkably refreshed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. All details she could pick up over the high-definition feed across the FreeSatNet. “Our mutual friends explain they are presently unable to attend the party and send their regrets.”

“I’m sure they’ll be along when the time is right,” smirked Belisarious back knowingly.

“Our urgent need is to accelerate our deployment,” Sonia explained, cutting to the chase. “The airport at Richmond is at capacity, and the runways at Lancaster are still under repaired. You need to free up your military airfields for me to insert more of my armour and materiel.”

“Done,” the General told her with a sober expression. “I’ll have commo work on integrating your JTRS sets into our tactical nets too. We’re already getting your recon feeds over the FreeSatNet, and useful it is too.”

“I’ll direct commo to work on that on our side. One last thing. You need to calm some of your friends down out there,” Sonia told him pointedly. “I mean, good god man, fire bombing civilians? Firing ICBMs? There’s little point in winning the war if you loose the hearts and minds.”

“Or honour,” the older general replied.

“Well you should know all about that,” Sonia retored angrily. “Just keep them in check. Kohinoor out.”

“They are our allies,” Ramsey said quietly.

“Enemies are always a known quality, allies are a pain in the ass,” she told him. “I’m seeing reports on refugees clocking the roads from Bedord.”

“Yes ma’am,” her adjutant told her as he returned to his screen and the work at hand.

OOC: Damirez, go ahead a RP Cantwell and the PMs conversation.

Major Reynolds was furious. His Armoured units were ready to strike form the north of the city but without any evidence of a second pincer then the attack would be pointless. His troops were ready and the Nakil tanks would be more than a match for anything the CA or it's allies could field. He was sure that the attack could succeed. Only if somebody assaulted the southern approaches to the city.

Colonial Alliance. HQ

Several disturbing reports regarding the war effort reached Alberta Kinkard's office. Among them the most worrying were the ones that regarded her already stretched supply route in the north.

-
A somewhat surprising attack was causing distress among her commanding officers in the north and as a result they were forced to deploy the last reserves of the First Army to counter the attack of what seemed to be Alfegos troops. They were confident in victory, but precious time and resources were going to be wasted.

-

In the south, suspicious activities were being reported. With several trucks filled with supplies vanishing out of thin air, it was clear that something was amiss. Forces were dispatched from the Third Army to counter the situation and catch the perpetrators.

--

Captain Hollyday couldn't believe his luck. As one of the commanding officers of a submarine in the CA fleet, he wasn't expecting to see any real combat, but all was just about to change.

His submarine had ventured into deep sea , just prior the attack. With difficulties at the engine and unable to make it back to the harbour he was waiting for the engineers to give the go ahead. But this had worked in his favour. Having maintained silent mode the sub remained undetected and now his sonar was glowing like a Christmas tree and among those lights, the brightest of them all. The Holocaust.

---

Far behind the front lines, Patrick Sunhawk was preparing for a very important conversation.

"Ambassador Cantwell?"

"Prime Minister Sunhawk. A pleasure to see you," the ambassador replied taking a quick look at the other man's tired features.

"The pleasure is all mine, I assure you," the Prime Minister talked back. Even though they were wasting time with these pleasantries, the Prime Minister needed them. It reminded him of better times and hopefully of times to come.
"Now to get to the matter at hand" he said a grave look on his face.

"It's about that city?"

"Yes, the first reports have arrived," the Stronghold politician paused at this, finding himself unable to continue.

"Well? Is it as bad as we expected it to be?"

"Yes, furthermore it seems that the Etoile Arcture inhabited area was among the ones that took the hit in full," the man said quietly.

"How many?" the ambassador asked, suddenly feeling exhausted.

"At least one thousand. I'm sorry about that. I really am. We had no idea they were going to start targeting civilians," the Prime minister said in an apologetic tone.

"There's nothing you could have done. All those lives, so many..."

"And there is another matter I want to discuss, it seems that Etoile Arcture citizens in the Stronghold are asking to be drafted in the army. They're refusing evacuation," Sunhawk informed the ambassador.

"I'll contact my government about it, expect a reply soon," Cantwell told him, feeling too exhausted to continue the conversation. "I hope our next conversation will have better news Prime Minister."

"It is my hope too ambassador."

------

To: Major Reynolds

The sheer amount of CA soldiers present in Roser prevents our forces from launching an attack. At the moment we feel that forcing the enemy to engage as many troops in a battle for Roser is much more beneficial than launching an attack that is improbable to succeed. Please keep up the good work.

Michel Belisarius.

------

Etoile, the ones with the fire were the CA, not the TS.

The Frozopian F-15's and a few F-22's currently modified for air to ground bombardment (albeit slightly clumsily) were recieving new orders.

"Target enemy reinforcements south of the city." Lieutenant Jimmy "Mad eyes" Anderson was told. The pilot looked up at the major who was telling him the orders in person as he oversaw the rearming of his aircraft. The Major was a tall lanky figure, exhaustion giving him a haggard expression his eyes bright red.

Mad eyes nodded and returned his gaze to the team of engineers who worked 16 hours a day to constantly keep the Jet planes in the air. Their actions were slowing: Clear signs that the team needed replacement. However the men made no mistakes: They were far too professional for that sort of thing.

"Be wary of any AA weaponry." The Major continued.

"Yes sir."

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

Elsewhere 10 F-15E's were preparing for bombardment. 10 F-22's acted as escorts, and the planes remained in formation as they approached the enemy reinforcements just south of the city......

The Daitus Forces started in the helping clean out the city of Rosser, and ask the Bexfordian troops that all battles stay outside the city

signed

R. Laing PM

The Holocaust and her surrounding ships were idling, as the repairs to the railguns continued. Now all the systems were repaired as best they could, and the comms room was finally up.

Suddenly, the area was filled with the wail of sirens.

"Sir, the sensors show there is a sub in the area, coming straight for us. And it isn't one of ours."

"Shit! Get everyone to action stations! Close all bulkheads, and activate the emergancy supports. This time we are not getting caught out.

Everyone, brace for impact!"

=====

The ships moored in York were filled with panicking men roused from below decks as alarms screamed across the fleet moored there. They could only watch in horror as missiles came screaming out of nowhere, impacting into ships moored around the bay, showing the area with bits of demolished ship.

Meanwhile, the Battleships launched off a counter-attack to try and shoot down the incoming attack. They were unaware of the 4 torpedos targeted at them.

=====

The leader of Squad 13, known only as Wolf, smiled as he smashed the fuel tanks of the transport trucks with his axe. Now, the troops in the area had little support logistics wise, and would soon struggle to start an effective counter-attack, once the town-hall of Hexham was taken.

Now all was needed was to get there without detection. The squad removed the uniforms and ID from the unconsciouss bodies of the guards, replacing it with their own, before giving each one some more of the extra-strength sleeping formula.

They drove out of the camp in the only operational lorry, driving towards Hexham.

=====

The Avenger squadron had refuelled, and now had a new target: Langley Airstrip. This time, they were armed each with 2 Vulcano active denial distributors: mine-field layers. Each one would leave a square mile of land in-accessible until the Colonials sent in heavy minsweepers.

Just in case this didn't work, the bombers had a secondry task: to use the defence Vulcan Miniguns to destroy any planes on the ground. Flying at a height of 22 000 ft, nothing should be able to catch the Avenger squadron. Anyway, fighter pilots weren't stupid enough to follow a plane that could take on 4 fighters similatneuosly and win.

OOC: Alfegos I already dealt with those torpedoes. Also the sub's on silent mode, meaning that unless you're looking very closely you're not going to find it.

IC:

If there was one lesson that the CA forces learned in their history of conflict against the Stronghold it was to always keep an eye on the sky.

In fact it was this particular detail that slowed the arrival of reinforcements in the town of Roser, where badly damaged units were struggling to maintain their position.

The air attack launched by what seemed like Frozopian wings came as no surprise in these circumstances and AA batteries immediately opened fire. There was a chance for the frozopians to do some light damage, but if they truly wanted to hurt the reinforcement they had to be prepared for extremely heavy casualties.

---

In the seas the colonial sub was finally ready to go. The engineers had repaired the engine and gave the go ahead.

Now with a chance to escape, captain Hollyday ordered an all out assault against the Holocaust and its supporting ships. Sixteen torpedoes were heading towards the ships, each one with the ability to kill.

---

As a ship exploded for the last time, the captains of the fleet couldn't believe their luck. Even though the enemy managed to throw so many missiles at them only one ship was destroyed. True, several others were damaged by the debris and would need repairs, but it could have been worse, much worse.

Luckily the sinking frigate had acted as a shield for the fleet, giving the anti missile defences those precious seconds needed to score a kill.

Realizing that safety was an issue, the commanders took the decision to keep the defences at 100% twenty four hours a day.

---

In Hexham the locals were witnessing an unusual sight. An entire infantry division and several other brigades were currently working to establish a new airfield while brutally controlling every action of the civilians.

There were rumours that some of the citizens of Hexham were involved in acts against the state!

---

The squadrons at Richmond airfield had a clear mission set for them. Under no circumstance were they to allow the airstrip to fall under damage. But it was clear even to the most naive of them that they were only a decoy. The AA defence grid was active and just waiting for targets.

---

Foreign intervention by Alfegos was not unknown by the Tartar General Staff. It was reasoned that if Alfegos took a very bad loss, they could withdraw out of the conflict leaving Tartar commercial interests intact.

Thus, it was reasoned that an extensive assault on the flagship and pride of the Navy of Alfegos, though expensive (running in the millions of dollars), would be worth it in the end.

Twelve pure-white swans flew through the air. Each holding twelve external BrahMos missiles, they were a sight to behold. Speeding through the air at Mach 2 and at 48,000 feet in the sky, they were practically invisible. It would be quite hard to determine the origin of the attack. As soon as they were calculated to have been 250 km away from the Holocaust, they launched all of their missiles.

One and forty-four BrahMos missiles were definitely expensive, but they weren't even a tiny fraction of a cost that impressive ships like the Holocaust would cost. Speeding through the air at Mach 3, it would not be a while until they hit it. With four times the speed and twice the weight of a Tomahawk, they had more than sixteen times the kinetic energy in addition to far more explosives. The White Swans turned back to their homeland as the horde of missiles swarmed toward the unsuspecting Holocaust. Half of them were aimed at the Holocaust, the other half at various other smaller ships in the navy of Alfegos. The navy would barely have ten seconds of reaction time before the missiles hit them.

The missiles were heading for the flotilla of ships surrounding the Holocaust. Even with all its defences, there was no chance at all of survival.

Therefore, on the holocaust, all surviving personnel fled to the lifeboats after the torpedos had hit: these ones were state of the art though. Instead of the usual surface lifeboats, these were jet propelled submarine pods, capable of sending 30 men from the ship to somewhere safe up to 120 miles from the ship.

There were many survivors, as luckily the torpedos had mainly hit the escort ships, now slowly breaking up. Yet the one that had hit had completely destroyed the engine, and cracked the reactor core.

Now, there was only the high command, preparing for the inevitable doom coming towards them.



The Holocaust was racked with explosions as the missiles finally hit it, and the sister ships. Now, there was only the smoking wrecks sinking deep under the water.

But before impact, the commanders surviving had all agreed on the final course of action: the red button linked to the reactor core, activating the emergancy SCRAM EJECT. At least the waters around the island would not be contaminated. Luckily, an expensive piece of the ship had survived.

=====

The Alfegos High Command were uneasy as the President adressed them.
"Men, why did we let this happen to our flagship? Over Æ17 billion blown. And now the public want us out of that god-foresaken isle. What do we do?"

"I suggest that we evacuate all non-important ships from the area, and scale down our ground attacks. Skirmishes only.

Keep Unit Alpha 13 in action. They've been very useful.

=====

The bombers came cruising over Langley airport at high velocity, with SCRAMJets now active. They didn't want any pursuing missiles. They deployed the cluster-mine spreaders, before banking round to decrease altitude. They would need it to attack the ground targets.

=====

Unit Alpha 13 were now in the town centre. Only a few guards were there, quickly dispatched by stun-darts from crossbows. Now, they entered the town-hall and climbed to the roof. There, the banner of the CA was replaced by the Tribal Allies Flag.

That done, they ran back down to the offices where any civilians were and questioned them at gunpoint about enemy activities. The airfield. That would be their next target.

But they would have to find better transport than the truck, now being hunted by the CA military.

=====

The engineer corps came running back to the safety of the makeshift fortifications on the beachead north of Rosser. They had finished booby-trapping the forest, the only part of unexposed land near the sand, concrete and sandbag fortifications.

Now they had to wait for any of the remaining 1st army to come near their lines through the woods. That was the only way, if they didn't want to risk heavy artillery fire and the heavy machine guns of the fortifications.

This would be the last act of the Alfegos army: from now on, they would only act as support, and not as front-line troops. The government had been very clear about that.

=====

"Calling off attack, all pilots withdraw."

Immediatly the Frozopian pilots broke formation and hit their maximum speeds to get out of range. The F-15's were not prepared for AA weaponry, and although the hastily customised F-22's might serve as a bomber Frozopian command were unwilling to test their Air to land effectiveness under AA fire. The F-15 was old technology, thrown into the conflict for the last time before Frozopian command planned to remove the planes from service.

The wing commander of the squadron radio'd through the news back to Frozopian HQ. Minutes later General Crawford was passing on orders and co-ordinates to Royal Frozopian Artillery.

It was longer range but the Frozopian MLRS had a range of 700 kilometers and targetted the southern routes to the city. Pummelling 100's of missiles into the reinforcements advance would certainly slow them down....

--------

In the City the Frozopian Royal guard and allies pushed on. Soon the enemy would be fully reinforced and the TS allies had to capitalise on the rest of the time they had. The Avalanche tanks pushed through the streets, the heart of the attack as their heavy armour soaked up enemy firepower and their Gun turrets blew holes in enemy defenses. Frozopian Royal Guard doggedly pushed on, overrunning enemy positions, calling in air strikes and artillery strikes where the defence was the stiffest. Untill the Frozopians met further enemy reinforcements in the city, they would be unstoppable.......

If you speak about Rosser, then the city is already reinforced.

Roser

Major Barnes' Paratroops and the TS soldiers under his command, launched a surprise night assualt against the positions in front of them. Tha aim being to divert reinforcements away from the Frozopian assualt. The assualt makes initial progress as the Bedfordian troops are not prepared for such an attack. Increasing losses in the face of stiffer opposition forces the assualt to be halted. They have retaken a city block although they haven't the manpower to push any further.

North of the city, the I A. Battalion uses it's guns to bombard the areas of the city under enemy occupation as well as using the MLRS to pound the line in front of them to keep them awake and weary.

the Bredford, just recovered from the Alversian counter-attack, have decided to counter the counter-attack of the Alversian. the Bredford 1st brigade had pretty considerable losses, but managed to retake the retaken city block from the Alversians, and conquer few important neighboardhoods in the advance. as Frozopian forces were halted by two corps of the Colonial army, the Bredford 1st Infantry Brigade began a massive assault to counter the Alversian counter-attack. the Bredford forces kept advancing in the town, waiting for Alversian resistance.



Encrypted- Breiga S4

TO: Mj. Bill Weck
FROM: Bredford High Command (BHC)

we have decided to send to your aid replacments to the 1st Brigade and expand it by more 3,000 man. also, new guns ammo will arrive soon, with additionaly 3 Air Squadrons and 3000 Javelin Anti-Tank missiles.

The Alversians, expecting a vicious counter-attack, had already withdrawn the majority of the defending troops to more advantageous terrain. The 1st Brigade would encounter heavy machien gun fire, sniper fire on their officers and more than one mine placed along the new streets. The Paratroops were withdrawing slowly and inflicting heavy losses, with the help of the recently arrived A-10's) they were hitting back hard.

Meanwhile, near the main TS airport. Reinforcments arrived in the form of the 3rd Paratroop Regiment, Alversia's most battle-hardened and respected unit. It was an elite within an elite and already it was entrained for Rosser.

The Frozopian Submarines lay submerged, forgotten, hidden and in their obscurity they provided a threat. 1 Frozopian submarine blockaded the one and and only Colonial Alliance harbour functional on a large scale whereas the remaining 3 patrolled the enemy coast line constantly alert for any shippings using all available scanners. Only the Frozopian submarine blockading the city's port offered a warning for shipping, the rest were too shoot on sight.....

The Frozopian Iceberg class Submarines were titans of the sea and eager for the kill. More than one enemy ship would be sunk in this conflict.....

Bredford forces, even though the heavy resistance of the Alversians, kept advancing. they advanced slowly with high losses, but kept advancing.

even now, the ACU-41A Semi-Automatic Grenade Launcher was proving useful in Urban terrain.

and with the news of the Air squadrons and reinforcement, the 1st Brigade moral was busted.

----------
Skies above Rosser
----------

as the new Air Squadrons arrive, they prepared to attack of Alversian forces within Rosser.

15 A-7 Wraith and 10 F-35 Lightning II with additional 10 F-4 Phantoms provided temporary air-superiority, as the B-52 Startofortress and two new stealth bombers from the B-3 Nightrider type hitted the Alversians hard.

the Bredford Air Force also used C-57 Galaxy Lifter plane to transport new supplies and 3000 more soldiers into Roser, a suprise that wasn't mentioned in the message to Mj. Bill Weck.

---------
Middle of the Front, mountains area
--------

"Sir, we are moving towards the village!"

"Good.. we don't want barbaric behaviours. take what you can, in the terms of resources. 80 trucks are waiting to collect. take as hostage any military personnal, and take every military equipment."

"Yes sir."

After ten minutes the town of Worrington was "sacked". that part was peaceful and unimportant on the front that no one acted on it, so the Tribal Goverment placed some material and weapon reserves in it.

luckily for the Commando unit, no one was killed. they didn't want to be accused of 'un-humanic' behaviour.

that part of the province was so quiet, the five soldiers that stayed in town, one Sergeant and five Privates, were all asleep.

a big coal reserve was stolen, along with some artillery shells and around two thousand working guns.

Worrington was a town in nowhere, allowing the complete silence about its "sack". the only communications machine in town was captured, and the civilians were carried to a near Colonial military base.

the town itself became a 'deathtrap', full of mines and other dangerous traps, that can only be dismantled with big number of proffesional engineers and long time.

as the town of Worrington was far more then sixty kilometres from any other Tribal town, there was good chance that nobody will know about the sack of Worrington.

upon arriving to base, Captain Oswald Veins used his special Breiga S4 to give the password for mission complete.

"this Smith speaking. we have eaten the Chocolate you sent us. thanks for your gift, troops are very happy."

With TS reinforcements along with the recently arrived unit of Mechanized Troops (From the A. Battalion) the Alversians began to cling to every position available and battles often disolved into small gunfights between the floors of a building or the rooms of a floor. The Alversians were determined that they would hold no matter what.

High in the sky meanwhile, APAAF F-22's were engaged with Befordian Fighters and bombers whilst allowing their own tankbusters to hit the ground held by the advancing enemy. They were now assisted by the MLRS as they turned their rockets towards the city streets.

the Battle in skies was continuing, as Bredford soldiers kept continuing with their new reinforcement from the air. advance began to slow down, but Bredford soldiers kept moving forward.

the numbers of the Bredford effected the Airbattles, which were eventually winned by Bredford, and Bredford bombers kept hitting the Alversian soldiers on the ground, especialy hitting fortificated buildings to ease their own forces advancment.

OOC: if you think your airforce is really big around this area, notify me about their numbers so we can figure out the airfights.

OOC: 3 Squadrons of F-22's of which two are scrambled, making 45 fighters in the air supporting 300 Paratroops and a couple of hundred TS troops.

IC:
The advance was slowing down as the Alversian/TS troops fought bitterly and fiercely for the ground they held. Ruined buildings were converted into miniature fortress' manned by dozens of blood thirsty enemy troops. The Snipers still picked off the officers and were beginning to run out of CO targets and so began to focus on the NCO's. Barnes was determined his forces would hold and that was exactly what they were doing.

Drvarska outraged on the uneccessary bombing attacks on civillians by Tartarystan Air force decideded to support the colonials by sending:

2 Mountain troop Battalions, 1 Airborne Battalion (ex-police force) and 1 Armoured company:
Order of troops:

1st Mountain "Eagle" Battalion (1000pers.)
I/Company (200pers)
II/Company (200pers)
III/Company(200pers)
IV/Support MG Company (200pers)
V/Supply Company (200pers)
20 X M998 Humvee

2nd Mountain "Wing" Battalion (1000pers.)
I/Company (200pers)
II/Company (200pers)
III/Company(200pers)
IV/Motorized Company (200pers)
V/Supply Company (200pers)
20 X M998 Humvee

1st Airborne Commando Battalion (1500pers.)
(Well trained ex-police force)
I/Assault Company (300pers)
II/Assault Company (300pers)
III/Assault Company (300pers)
IV/Motorized Company (300pers)
V/Supply Company (250 pers)
Aircraft Personel (50pers)
5 X UH-60 Blackhawks
2 X Mi-26 Hind Support
20 X M998 Humvee

1st Armoured Company (150pers.)
12 X Leopard 2 tanks
4 X Supply trucks
4 X Fuel trucks
4 X Repair trucks

1st Airborne will be dropped in early with UH-60s at Redford with the rest of the Army being shipped in through disguised cargo ships. Troops will form at Redford and deploy near Rosser with 1st Army.

The Republic of Drvarska.

OOC: Good for my first time?

Three Tartar Type 212 Submarines prowled in the sea. Interestingly enough, they were not blockading the harbour. Rather, they were camping near the only sea lane leading to all three harbours of the Tribal Stronghold. After branching off to one going to the CA and the TS, after a while, the sea lane branched off into three to the northern three cities of the TS. The submarines were camped after it broke off into CA and TS sea lanes, but before it broke off into three sea lanes going to each TS harbour city.

Tartar Submarines were very difficult to detect with top of the line military technology. Incoming commercial ships had no chance at all. A commercial ship would have no chance against their Seehake torpedoes. And they didn't.

There was no chance for the Bulk carrier that had been at the wrong place at the wrong time. It was more than 300 meters long and carried what appeared to be quite a lot of goods. No warning was given. In a minute after it had come within 50 km of the submarines, a explosion rocked its starboard, blowing a huge hole. The bulk carrier rocked violently, throwing a sailor overboard. The carrier flipped on its side and capsized within a minute. A few dozen stunned sailors were in the water clinging onto wreckage. Who knew what it actually carried. The submarine crew didn't care. They just found it awesome they were finally sinking stuff. The worse the Tribal economy did, the better Tartarystan's economy would do. Or so was the reasoning told to the submariners. So they had happy times. Finally, after expending all of their torpedoes, and after it appeared that no more ships were coming, they silently glided back to their homeland.

The second carrier didn't fare much better. Neither did the third.

finally, after long fight in Rosser, the forces of the 1st Brigade have stopped advancing. they managed to capture several kilometeres of land and advance the line for their favor, but it costed them alot.



Casulties-

800 Infantry Soldiers.

Reinforcement-

3000 Soldiers (Via Air Transport)
3000 Javelin Anti-Tank systems.
another 3000 Infantry Soldiers.
and big number of Guns and Ammo.




Encrypted- Breiga S4

TO: Alberta Kinkard
FROM:Bredford Defense Office

due to our mass production of XM-8 and Steyr M as our new standard weapons, we have a very large number of surplus guns, around six thousand. we will also include around thousand rifles and big number of resources captured in one of our Commando missions against the Tribals.

around eight-thousand rifles five thousand pistols big number of grenades and five hundred machineguns are being transfered to your army.

OOC: SEVERAL KILOMETRES!?!? I don't think so!! Fighting house for house, a few hundred metres sounds more realistic

OOC: SEVERAL KILOMETRES!?!? I don't think so!! Fighting house for house, a few hundred metres sounds more realistic

sorry, i just don't "weigh" distance or ground accordingly. i meaned several kilometres along the line. which is a peneration of like six hundred metres deep.

sorry, i just don't "weigh" distance or ground accordingly. i meaned several kilometres along the line. which is a peneration of like six hundred metres deep.

OOC: That's more realistic

IC:
The Paratroops dug in and prepared for a renewal of the Bedfordian Offensive. reinforcements were trickling in but apart from the few Mechanized and Paratroops, there wasn't really any real Alversian presence within the city boundries. However, the 3rd Paratroop Regiment was getting closer

In the skies above, the F-22's were enjoying plenty of combat against the Bedfordian Air Force and especially against the slow, unmanouverable and numerous B-52's.

OOC: True but the combat ability between the F-22 and the F-35 are not great and experienced pilots can make up the gap quite well. I was referring to earlier attack btw because apparently, your bombers have been blowing the living s***e out of my positons all day.

OOC: the bombers have gone, as the attack was stopped. and by the way, if you use F-22... i think i have more "modern" planes then you. (A-7 Wraith, F-35.)

The CO of the Drvarska exponditionary force Thomas Brett banged his hand on his table after hearing the reports of submarine attacks on the convoy. Reports of 3 out of 7 transports are either sunk or sinking.

"What are your orders sir?" asked a colonel.
"Send any available chopper to the area and retrieve as many survivors as you can. Order our 2 new Mi-26 to search the area for those subs and destroy them. I want to see their bodies floating in the sea helpless!" he ordered.

2 Hours later reports came back that elements of the 1st and 2nd Mountain battalions have casualties. The remaining transports and survivors have been unloaded at Redford and are assembling. The Armoured company was lucky and reported no casualties.

Casualty Report:
1st Mountain Battalion
162 men dead
202 wounded (evacuated)
36 missing
5 M1998 Humvee destroyed

2nd Mountain Battalion
126 men dead
124 wounded (evacuated)
20 missing
6 M1998 Humvee destroyed

Thomas Brett sat there at his table awaiting further reports. His orderly walked in and handed him a piece of paper:

From: Major Thomsen of the 1st Airborne Commando Bat. CO
To: Expeditionary force leader Thomas Brett

1st Airborne Commando Bat. deployed and awaiting orders. Mountain battalions still forming. 1st Armoured company ready.

Finally some good news he thought.
"Send a message to Thomsen and have him sent out to be stationed with the 1st Army near Rossen." he told his orderly.
"Right away sir!"

The Republic of Drvarska

The Policans approached Roser,Light Gleaming from their hulls. It was decided
that the 1000 battle-ready marines plus support would land at Alversian lines to give them support against the Colonials. AA and artillery would be moved in later, and tanks only when a route was secure for them to pass though.
Meanwhile, Radio chatter had it that a flotilla of ships were heading in from Barton island,but they were at least a week away. Inside the pelicans,marines secured their kit,which included diablo pistols,SAR-21 Assaout rifles, and some demolitions and AT weapons.

The pelicans Approached the tired Alversian lines,Showing their friendly Markings.A message blared to the troops below

"This is the OPDF marines. We're here to help"

The Alfegos lifeboats from the holocaost surfaced a few hundred metres from shore. As soon as they broke surface, they broadcast SOS on all TS wavelengths. They weren't going to be sent back to the mainland. They wanted to get their revenge.

=====

The CA forces had dug in in Rosser. From the TS side, there would be no chance of a quick victory. Yet the 20 LY4 Wolfhouds advancing from behind were about to be supported by the 8 MLRS units beginning to fire. This would be the Alfegos last offensive.

=====

As the Avenger squadron locked onto the planes on the ground, they begn to open fire with the Vulcan guns. As sson as they started firing, the AA defences on the ground started up. There was no chance for the squadron as they started to come crashing downwards. To prevent any capture of equipment or pilots, these advanced planes started their self-destruct sequences.

The air was filled with massive blasts, strangely coloured blue, instead of the expected firey colours.

=====

The sonar room on the Python heard the explosions on the CA shipping.
"It seems like the carriers are under attack. Should we give them a little bit more?"

"Yes, and once your done get a secure link with the Boa and Anaconda. We don't want them to miss out on the fun."

=====

Squad Alpha 13 were now nearing the airfield in their commandeered trasnport: a humvee, whose squad had succumbed to the 10 hour sleep of the crossbows. They were running low on ammo now: 1 shot each, and the 10-man squad would have to revert to the AFG 07Es that they carried. The
11 mm AP rounds would make short work of any kevlar, and the 30 round clips would allow for deadly automatic fire.

They wouldn't have to rely on their guns to take out the enemy: they had enough firepower on the 7.62 mm machine gun mounted on the roof.

OOC: Sorry I have made a mistake when landing my forces. I thought the CA had possesion of Bedford where I landed my troops. I shall change it to:
"They landed at Langley where they await deployment."
The same incident still happened (Sub attacks).

IC:

General Brett sat there at his table smoking his cigar, his orderley walked in and announced that Major Thomson and the 1st Airborne Commando Battalion have reached Roser aiding the fighting troops of Bredfords army, reports came back they have dug in along the South of the city and are already engaging the enemy, no reports of casualties yet. The 1st Armoured company has dug in with the infantry for support.

The Mountain battalions have assembled and awaiting orders at

Reports have come in the Drvarska's new Air force Task group wing of 10 A-10 Thunderbolt II equipped with 150 assorted missles and are standing by for orders.

Drvarska's leader has ordered the deployment of reinforcements to both Mountain battalions as well as two Motorized Infantry Battalions and one Armoured Regiment. They will be charted by UH-60 Blackhawks and Chinooks escorted by Mi-26 attack hinds.

Mountain battalions still await and reform at Langley.

Order of new units:

1st Motorized Infantry Battalion (1000pers.)
I/Company (200pers)
II/Company (200pers)
III/Company (200pers)
IV/Company (200pers)
V/Supply Company (200pers)
10 X M2 Bradley
10 X M1998 Humvee
10 X Cadillac Gage Commando

2nd Motorized Infantry Battalion (1000pers.)
I/Company (200pers)
II/Company (200pers)
III/Company (200pers)
IV/Company (200pers)
V/Supply Company (200pers)
10 X M2 Bradley
10 X M1998 Humvee
10 X Cadillac Gage Commando

5th Armoured "Charge" Regiment (500pers.)
25 X Leopard 2 Tanks
5 X Ammo trucks
5 X Repair trucks
5 X Fuel trucks

The Republic of Drvarska

A - Company of the Engineer Corps were being transported very quickly by Black Hawk to the Frontline near Richmond. There were reports of a massive push by the CA, which were to be countered quickly. Therefore, the forests and plains were now riddled with minefields and other little tricks they were proud of: the old grenade in a tin, for example. Now, all there was the waiting game.

the BETA force pushed back into Bedford to prtect city from future attacks

Reports came in that the Mountaineers have been refitted and ready. General Brett has ordered both Battalions to attack the Mountain area NW of Hexam.

2000 soldiers move forward into combat with revenge on what happened after the attack on the cargo ships. They charge into battle fully loaded.

The Republic of Drvarskar.

The OP troops were very welcome at the Alversian line, where 300 exhausted Paratroops and 700 TS troops were attempting to repel many times their number. The soldiers were running low on ammunition and general supplies.

A fighter-bomber in the area had seen the advancing CAs from NW of Hexham. Obviously, not all of the equipment had been sabotaged.

As it came back round, it released all 4 250 lb cluster-bombs, and then on the next pass it let off the two Pathfinder missiles that locked onto the foremost armoured vehilces, before activating the solid fuel booster that took it to Mach 5 as it screamed down.

=====

The engineer corps had now returned back to the HQ on the beachead. However, it was surprising that no attacks had been carried out on its position, while the armoured spearhead came crashing through from the south of Rosser.

=====

Unit Alpha 13 were outside the airfield now. There was no cahnce that they would be able to take out the guards non-lethally.

The unit, as it came rumbling up the round, had swapped weapon now for the APG 07Es. They were still in CA uniform, so still had not been stopped. As they reached the gatehouse, they were asked for ID. The guard was handed 10 separate forms. As he sat their studying them, a knife shot from the drivers hand deep into the throat of the guard. A hand clamped over his mouth as he fell to the ground.

Now, one of them climbed on the roof and took of the cover from the machine gun. Itwas already set up, and now the safety trigger was off. Now the fun would begin

=====

At Alfegos bomber command, the men were scrambled tot he ground attack planes: A -10 bombers, all armed with heavy missiles, cluster bombs and a new AHMGA 06, with high explosive AP rounds. The spotted force were history.

During the advance with the 1st and 2nd Mountain battalions, a seargent spotted low flying aircraft in attack formation heading straight to them. Already in the mountainous terrain the soldiers used their Mountain skill training to take cover underneath rocks and shelter from an Air assault. Casualties were low during the attack with:

124 dead
56 wounded

1820 soldiers emerge after the attack and press on towards Richmond.

=======

The newly deployed Infantry and Armoured battalions at Langley move to Hexam.

The Republic of Drvarska

10 Sky-blue A-10s were flying across the island at high-speed: the co-ordinates had been received and now each plane began to deploy its missiles at any vehicle in sight. The missiles screamed ahead, adn as they began to hit targets, the A-10s passed over, deploying their payloads of 20 cluster bombs. As they came over the army taking cover, they burst into groups of 644 bomblets.

For the defenders below, it would be like a shower of hand grenades.

The planes banked up and round, and began to circle the area. When the defenders came out of cover, the planes would begin to gun them down.

=====

In Hexham, at the airstrip, Alpha 13 were involved in a heavy firefight with the CA. While the machine gun blazed away on the roof of the Humvee, the rest of the squad had taken cover, and were now picking off the defenders one-by-one.

They only shot at the civilians who were stupid enough to try and attack them.

The sergant was lying behind a burning bulldozer. He had been unfortunate engouh to have been hit in the right arm by returning fire, rendering it impossible to fire a weapon.

He used his left arm to withdraw a grenade from his pocket and lob it across the open ground to behind another vehicle where some CA were holding out. They had ashot and killed two of his men, adn as the grenade blew the vehicle into lethal shrapnel, he knew that they had been avenged.

The rest of the squad not shooting were deploying explosive charges across the potenial area for the airstrip. They weren't going to build it here.

After hearing a static radio report 10 Drvarskan A-10s changed course from their patroll to intercept the bombing A-10s. Diving out of clouds they attacked the enemy A-10s by surprise and ripped many aircraft wings with the deadly GAU-8 Avenger machine gun. The Mountaineers took this opputunity to recover and move on out of range of the enemy A-10s.

Land unit casualties:
257 dead
43 wounded

Total remaining: 1520

=====

The fighting in Hexham was starting to get hot. A few Drvarskan Mi-26 hinds managed to get there in time to slow down the attack and destroy some armour and gun down any infantry in the open. With the support of the 5th Armoured Reginment 25 Leopard II tanks supported with 300 men of the 1st Motorized company managed to retake the airfield and disarm explosives that were in the process of being planted. Afterwards 2 companies and the armour dug in around the airfield hard to protect themselves from any air attacks. Some armour returned around the city to fend off and push back any enemy forces.

The Republic of Drvarskar.

Hexham. Colonial Alliance territory.

The colonel watched with amusement the reports brought in by his men. It seemed that someone was trying to mess around with their efforts. A pity really that they picked a fight they could not win at this moment. His men were already ready and soon, soon he'll have some nice people to chat with. He was always fond of games after all.

The circle around the unknown saboteurs was getting tighter and soon they'll realise that a whole brigade was surrounding them.

---


Roser. First CA Army HQ.

For the colonial general the day was getting increasingly stressing. The reinforcements he had assigned to Roser were being slowed down by continuous enemy operations and the latest missile barrage had seriously harmed one of his infantry brigades. There was good news though. His forces finally finished the defensive line behind the city of Roser.

Amusing really that they fought so hard for a city that they had no intention of keeping. But alas he had to do what he was ordered and lead the enemies to their doom.

---

Hexham. AA force command.

For some of the soldiers members in the AA squad it was actually offending that someone attacked with so little planes. The CA army, long versed in fighting against superior air power was ready for this type of tactics. The enemy planes will never know what hit them they all thought as they opened fire.

Besides after facing carpet bombing in the last war the troopers had an idea or two about keeping their heads safe.

---

To: Government of Drvarska.

We would like to thank you for your assistance. May we win this war together. Please assign your forces to the defensive lines at Roser.

Alberta Kinkard.

---

To: Government of Oily Prata.

You have our deepest gratitude for your assistance. Thank you.

Prime Minister Patrick Sunhawk.


OOC: If I missed something big just ask for a reply in the OOC forum.

Breaking News

RICHMOND, North Alestra (AP) -- The General Secretariat of the Unitary Technocracy has authorized "severe and harsh" retaliation following the fire bombing of the city of Wearside by allies of the Colonial Alliance. At least 1,000 Arcturian civilians are reported to have died in the attack.

The General Secretariat called the attack an act of war, and Maj. Gen. Kohinoor, head of E.A. Central Command who is in Alestra to organise evacuation operations, said she has "comprehensive plans" to battle the Colonial Alliance and its allies throughout Alestra, not just in the Tribal Stronglands. Adding, "Where to attack? Everything is legitimate -- not just northern Alestra, not just the front line with the Colonial Alliance."

The bombing against the picturesque coastal resort of Wearside marks a sharp escalation in the conflict that has already sucked in several other nations on both sides. Until now E.A. has remained neutral, but the attack on Wearside, and reports of Arcturian expatriates volunteering to fight with Tribal Stronghold forces, has made that position increasingly untenable.

****

+3 Day dawned with Etoile Arcture Defence Forces massing at Tribal Stronghold airfields across northern Alestra. With the attack at Wearside confirmed as a Colonial Alliance act, the General Secretariat had sought a mandate from the Populace for war, and by a convincing margin of 63% they had received it.

Ryeland Park was now ringed with SLAMRAAM batteries and dug in positions while General Kohinoors headquarters had now expanded to a over hundred staff officers and twice as many technicians again.

Second Brigade had finally completed its deployment at Richmond. The 33rd Anti-Tank Company and 2nd Integrated Armour Battalion were dug in on a defensive line in the hills south-east of the city, while the 9th Reconnaisance Company was only a few kilometers from Bedford monitoring the flow of refugees along the main highways back to Richmond. Activity was being detected in 3d I.A.’s area, and she had ordered the recently deployed 8th Reconnaisance Company of First Brigade to probe the hills support by a force of AV609 attack tiltrotors.

As per their standing orders, all her remaining units had divided to team level and were dispersing into the countryside so as not to present a massive target for enemy artillery or airstrikes. This dispersion doctrine even went as far as each F-32D in the vertical attack force. Each aircraft finding a safe haven in a barn or under camo netting in a forest, the pilots and sleeping with their 10-20 ground crew waiting for the order to scramble when the techs would drag out the “ski ramp” metal rails and the pilot would gun his aircraft into the air to fly a sortie. But so far, no sorties had been called.

The balance of First Brigade was still in the process of deploying from the homeland via Tribal Strongland airfields in the Lancaster military district. She had to deadicate her whole UCAV force to protect the vulnerable transports while her SAMP/Ts were tied down at Richmond Airport to protect the air bridge there. Once her ground force was assembled she would be able to send the Airbus’ home and rely on the tilt-rotors more who could vertically replenish her forces in the field more effectively than trucking in supplies from a fixed airfield.

"Shit! We're really not gonna win this fight!" called out the sergeant as he struggled up to lean his pistol against the barricade. The small unit had no chance of winning, and now, with airstrikes, no chance of retreat. There was only one thing for it now,

"They're not gonna take us, alive or dead! Get the squad to regroup behind the humvee!"

On top of the Humvee, the gun had fallen silent, courtesy of CA return fire. But the gunner had taken down many men, and managed to destroy quite a bit of machinery.

Behind it, the 4 surviving members were gather around, with all the explosives they had managed to get off the dead corpses of the squad. In total, 15 kg of Plastic explosive, and 1kg of Semtex from the grenades. It was all set to blow, including the charges left abandoned by the squad on various pieces of equipment. It was all set to blow. The sergeant, with help from his corperal, pressed the detonater.

The explosion killed them instantly, and everyone within 300 m was either killed or seriously injured.

=====

The retreating 4 A - 10s passed through the cloud, and passed the incoming 20 APF 06Es. They had yet to be tried in combat, but as the onboard computers processed the targets and let loose a salvo of AMRAAM 3AFE missiles, the pilots knew these were the best they'd ever flown. And with a SCRAMJET that would allow them to travel at maximum to Bedford Airstrip, they could outrun even SAMs.

The planes banked away, and set off the SCRAMJETs as the missiles hit the CA A - 10s. Any that didn't have a target locked again on the ground forces.

The Alversian soldiers in Roser, reinforced by Allied forces and the 3rd Paratroop Regiment, an elite unit specialising in Urban warfare, stormed the positions directly opposite them. They make rapid ground, using A-10's and grenades to help them clear the houses. A unit of M3's loaned from the 5th Paratroop also contribute and assist in the rapid counterattack.

the 1st Infantry Brigade, faced by attack from Alversian soldiers, retreated to their designated defense lines.

huge series of small explosions occured in the city by that time, and Mj. Bill Weck was sure that his goverment buying 100 Tons of C-4 proved dangerous to the Alversian paratroopers.

and above the sky, the Air-Air nuclear Falcon missiles of the Bredford Aircraft proved that Air-to-Air nuclear missiles were quite fatal to Alversian Aircraft.

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4929/haveigotnewsforyouve4.png (http://imageshack.us)

* * *

Odd numbers of Helicopters were returning to base, some littered with bullet holes, others with smashed windows, some with depleted ammunition, a few with injured co-pilots.

On the ground, the number of vehicles was increasing, waiting for their crew to get in them. Nearly all of these vehicles were ready for fighting. Some had garages, others didn't. But the heavy amount of AA and the classified location of the base would stop most attacks.

In the newly completed command centre, plans were being drawn up for the invasion of the Tribal Stronghold Inland. All they were waiting for was the pledging of forces from other nations.

Hexam,

After a blazing attack by our mi-26 hinds the soldiers of the 1st/2nd Motorized battalions sat still behind the rubble of buildings and ordered 3 Leopard II tanks to inch forward along with a platoon of 12 men. One seargant spotted a enemy soldier crawling back to a destroyed humvee with explosives in hand, he yelled to the soldiers taking cover to move back immediatly. One tank was loading a shell to blast whoever was behind the jeep when suddenly it exploded into bits, the soldiers who were out of range of the explosion watched with amusment as the enemy's last act was to blow themselves up. Not knowing that they had lost 1 tank and 10 infantry while moving back.

Reports came back from Hexam to General Brett.

1st Motorized Battalion
92 dead
8 wounded
3 Humvee destroyed

2nd Motorized Battalion
106 dead
14 wounded
5 Humvee destroyed

5th Armoured Regiment
6 dead
2 Tanks destroyed

After the attack General Brett recieved a message from a noble ally, he replied:

To:Alberta Kinkard
From: General Brett (Expeditionary force CO)

We appreciate your kindness and we shall reassign our forces in Hexam to Roser.

Brett

The order was made and all forces were sent to the defence lines at Roser. Along the way 2 companies of the 1st Motorized Battalion broke off to join the Mountaineers on their advance.

Units in Roser:

1st/2nd Motorized Battalion
1380 pers.
20 M1998 Humvee
20 Cadillac Gage Commando
20 M2 Bradley

5th Armoured regiment
23 Leopard II tanks

1st Armoured Company
12 Leopard II tanks

1st Airborne Cammando Battalion
1,500 pers.
20 M1998 Humvee
5 UH-60 Blackhawks (currently evacuating wounded)
2 Mi-26 hind Escorts (currently evacuating wounded)
=====

Mountains NW Hexam

The Drvarskan A-10s broke off immediatly as one of their planes was shot down by enemy AA and missle fire. They returned to base to rearm and prepare for another mission.

The brave mountaineers emerging from a huge bombing raid came out coffing from the bomb fumes. The Drvarskan A-10s were on time otherwise their casualties would have been worse. Gathering up their arms and survivors they got reports that reinforcements arrived and has joined them. They set off immediatly towards Richmond with 400 extra men armed with anti-aircraft & anti-tank weaponry as well. The wounded were evacuated by UH-60 Blackhawks escorted by mi-26 Hinds.

The soldiers moved on untill Richmond was coming into view, they all spread out in tactical formations and pushed forward, now with the cover of some cliffs it made it hard for aircraft to spot them or engage them.

Casualties:
1st Mountaineer Battalion
98 dead
2 wounded

2nd Mountaineer Battalion
57 dead
13 wounded

Total forces left + reinforcements:
1750 pers.

The Republic of Drvarska

The fighters were now refuelled at Richmonad airstrip with the special mix of fuel for the engines, and now were taking off. Soon after, they would go to their maximum operation ceiling of 50 000 ft, where they would rely on the highly advanced radar and IF systems to find any enemy aircraft. They would steer clear of enemy AA.

=====

The replacements for Alpha 13 were coming: Squad Alpha 10, a squad with even more experience, and the lowest squad number which was not classified by the government.

The unit were coming by boat across the sea under the cover of darkness to the city of York. The squad had a simple mission: to cuase as much terror in the enemy capital as possible, and possibly to infiltrate the enemy HQ.

For now, as they came up onto a beach on the shorefront, they had strict orders relating to civilians: not to injure them unless they got in their way.

=====

Intelligence came in from the lines at Rosser.

"It seems they have re-enforced both sides of the line. The only way of winning will be meatgrinder, and we don't want to risk that. Just continue with the MLRS bombardment, and if possible see if we can't get a few of the FROG - 7 missiles from the mainland here."

The commander smiled. With even 5 of the FROG 7 missiles, he could cause absolute devastation to the CA in Rosser. Most people don't stay calm when 10 tons of Napalm come in across the land.

=====

This time, Alfegos did not want to have its navy suffer the same fate. Deployed in the waters south of Hexham now was Task Force 3: Led by the APS Firestorm, the sister ship of the Holocaust. Yet she, this time, was with cover: the Battleship APS Ultimatum, two Destroyers (The Freedom and Liberty) and a new class of ship only recently developed, and yet to be tried:
the Missile Defence Ship.

It was basically a Cruiser, but with a diffrerence: the only weapons with exception to AA shields was a battery of Anti-missile missiles. Coupled with the most advanced radar in Alfegos (propbably at the same level as the Lyran Protecterate), it could engage up to 20 missiles similtaneously.

These ships were coming in to prepare to bombard the forces moving north of Hexham. AA defences could not defend against the flechette rounds of the Railguns. Even with a slow fire rate, this would be supplemented (if a target was in range) by the guns of the Ultimatum.

The guns of the Firestorm rose and began to let loose a volley of the flechette shells.

=====

The 4 A - 10s had a new mission: to scour the sea for enemy shipping. With an escort of AF 94s, and laser missile designators for mainland missile silos, the ships would be sitting ducks.

Shit!Cried the squad sargeant as he saw one of his men preforated by CA HMG fire. The poor Private was jerked around like a puppet,before coming to the ground,gurgling. In the few hours of the attack,they had alreeady lost 10% of their force to the dedicated Colonial troops and their blasted allies.
We gotta get outta here....He thought. He turned back to the rest of the squad. Alright,men!Grenade out!Six grenades sailed through the air,consigning the HMG crew to a bloody death.Elsewhere,OPDF marines desprately fought agasinst superior odds,their SAR-21 Assault rifles barking,taking yet another of a sea of invaders down. The sarge grabbed the radio form a marine with his face caved in by a cannon shot,and yelled to Alversian HQ in roser.We're getting bombed to hell out here!We need support!.God was on his side today as the rumble of jets filled the sky.
50 F-88 Ghosts,escorted by F-19 Knights. Flew over enemy lines. While some were shot down, enough of them survived to rain hell on the Colonials and their allies in the form of air-to-surface HE JDAMS. However,the sarge did not see the end of the day as a stray mortar round vaporised him.

(Sea,300 klicks from land)
The Aircraft carrier Avenger and its escorts steamed into view, responsible for the wave of OP ircraft.But little did they know that they were sailing into Sub-hunted waters...


OOC:Uhh...Which colonial allies are actually in roser?
F-88 and F-19 are from DMG
And,THose ships are free to sink.

The Alversian Paratroops, exhausted and running low on ammunition, did not pursue the Befordian troops into the trap. Much of the C-4 was found and disable amongst the ruins but a percentage went off and caused many casualties amongst the troops who attempted to disarm it.They had made brilliant ground but had to wait for Allied reinforcements before an assualt on the new defensive line could be considered

Casualties
80 Alversians KIA
100 Alversians WIA
150 TS KIA
200 TS WIA

OOC: there are about 700 Alversian Troops in Rosser

Bredford soldiers, which were still organized because of their tactical retreat, opened in immediant counter-attack. though, the counter attack was slow in its start because there were only few roads clean of their own bombs. whilst the Alversians were small and exhausted, the Bredford 1st Brigade, even though suffering big casulties, was big and organized, and had big amounts of ammo.

The Alversians and their Allies fought like hell to hold the ground they had taken, refusing to retreat and turning many battles into close-quarters choas. HMG's had been brought up the night before and so had the M3's. These combined against the Infantry whilst AT Gunners focused on attacking the tanks. The I. A. Battalion wasn't stupid enough to send Armoured forces into a city, that was suicide.

OOC: if soldiers are disorganized, they don't fight like hell.

IC: the Bredford soldiers, even though a very strong resistent of the Alversian paratroopers, kept moving forward. their few numbers and the low ammo on the dead soldiers indicated that there was lack of guns and ammo in the Alversians regiment, as the Bredford soldiers just received new ammo and especially their new rifles, the XM's-29 who just began production in the military industries of Bredford, and were among the best rifles of the world, especially in Urban Warfare.

in the mean time, one complete CA corps was supporting Bredford's attack, and the other stayed as reserve if needed.


Casulties:

300 Infantry Soldiers.

35 Tanks.

OOC: Lack of Guns? This ain't Stalingrad. Just because Soldiers are disorganised doesn't mean that they can't fight like devils to hold their ground

IC:
The Alversians and their Allies did not withdraw, they did not retreat and they did not give ground unless the numbers were too great. The HMG's took a great toll of the attacking Infantry and the Snipers continued to reduce the numbers of Officers to lead the attacks. Tanks suffered in the streets and the artillery continued to pound any concentrated numbers of enemy troops.

As the order was given to depart, the tanks and APCs of the Armoured Infanty section of the Weccanfelt experditionary force began to fill up with their crews and soldiers. On the landing strip, aeroplanes with paratroopers began to take off, as did ground attack planes. The turbofans buzzed as the first plane lifted itself from the ground. They used the clouds for visual cover, and the fighters that had got through eariler in the day for aerial cover.

On the ground, Armoured vehicles moved though the dirt tracks in the forest, crushing bushes and saplings. SM-151s, M-121s and SB-131s were the main vehicles, the first being Main Battle Tanks, the second being APCs, and the third being Self-Propelled guns.

As they neared the front line, earthworks of the Tribal Stronghold could be seen. And as the paratroopers found themselves being dropped in places all over the countryside, helicopters from the North East were using the rockets they had saved from eariler to great effect, by pounding the Tanks of the Tribal Stronghold.

The Artillery Guns had deployed by now, and were firing guided shells at the enemy, pounding them futher into the ground.

Of course, there were casualties, mainly in the air due to enemy fighters, but the Weccanfelt fighters stopped it from being a massacre. But, nothing can really defend against botched airdrops, and hidden anti tank, and thus casualities were sustained on the ground also.

But as the tanks got nearer and nearer, and roads suddenly became death traps, the commander of the Tribal forces would suddenly get news that the blue jackets of the Weccanfeld Armed Forces had suddenly started blitzing their position, and were heading toward the north west coast, trying their best to put as much pressure on the enemy as possible.

In one little border town, the residents suddenly found that enemy soldiers were on their roofs and streets. But as the soldiers headed toward the town hall to raise the flags of the Colonial Alliance and Weccanfeld, they knew that the enemy would retaliate soon, but with what was still a mystery.

(OOC: So I've invaded the area in between Bedford and Richmond, basically.)

OOC: What's an SM-151?

The enemy forces between Bedford and Richmond were in for a nasty surprise. The air was littered with the 2 ft flechettes from the exploding sabots overhead, all falling to ground with enough force to impale a Leopold tank. They were lucky: if they had been further south, the guns of the Ultimatum would have completely destroyed the army. Only a few casualties could crawl from this attack. And they would have to face the landscape littered with booby-traps from the Alfegos engineer corps.

=====

The fighters had a lock on all enemy planes in the area, and the Weccenfield Air force would have the nasty shock of the Sidewinder IV missiles detonating in their craft.

=====

The A -10s were circling the sea. These were notable submarine hunting grounds, that had preyed on the Holocaust. A sonar bomb was dropped down into the water, which when it released a massive pulse of sonar, managed to find even the stealth craft. Onboard, they would have been alerted by the shockwave through the water. They would start diving soon, to avoid the torpedos dropping into the water, with a lock on the last position.

=====

Unit Alpha 10 were currently engaged in the sabotage of the port defences. The guards weren't expecting an attack from the land, so were easily taken down by the stun darts from the crossbows. Then it was a simple matter of breaking something: smashing guidance and targeting systems, breaking the fuel tanks on missiles and overloading the electrical systems on the radar in port. With the defences helpless, the fleet was more vunerable to aircraft attacks.

Now they hid the guards bodies and restrained them with tape, before carrying on to the next objective.

=====

On the mainland, the second Wyvern squadron was ready. With no AA over Lancaster, the ships were sitting ducks to the massive payloads of missiles.

OOC: Tanks. anyway, your holding of ground seems very "extreme". at this rate you will have to increase your number of casulties to very high.

OOC: So will you

OOC: i shall increase mine, but will not do that unless you stop with your fanatical defense. ALL the time i attack your soldiers "don't move", and "fight like devils". soldiers don't fight like that all the time. as you said, this ain't stalingrad.

OOC: I've never said the entire line was holding firm, a couple of pockets have emerged in the fighting. Don't forget these are amongst my most elite and fanatical troops.

IC:
The line was again reinforced and managed to stem the offensive but it had lost quite a bit of the ground captured during the offensive. Their casualties had been heavy and apart from a few pockets of resistance, the action had mostly died down.

Casualties
100 Alversians KIA
80 Alversians WIA
150 TS KIA
200 TS WIA

Bredford soldiers, seeing that expect from few resisting pockets the Tribal line begins to retreat. they began to pressure forward on the line, and then isolate the resisting pockets. in the mean time, pockets were beginning to run out of ammo.


casulaties-

500 Infantry (that is comes instead in what i said before, means its increases my casualties in 200 and not in 300.

OOC- when you said it it sound like the whole line isn't moving. you should mentions that its few pockets and not your entire army. and what is KIA and WIA?

OOC: My mistake, Killed In Action and Wounded In Action

The Alversian pockets were isolated and beginning to run out of ammunition, however one pocket close to the line was relieved by a small counter-attack. The rest attempted to fight on although relief would soon be needed. Artillery support from the north eased the pressure very slightly.

most of the pockets already runned out of ammo, and were taken prisoner. expect from few last desperate pockets, all the encircled troops were either dead or taken capture. the 1st Infantry Brigade kept advancing and already managed to take all that has been lost to the Alversian counter attack, and keep advancing, but at high casualty right.


Casualties:

210 KIA

90 WIA

120 Alversian paratroopers captured.

The FROG - 7 missiles were at the beachead now. They now had new targets: the Bredford line slowly advancing. 5 white missiles roared from the laucher lorrys anchored firmly to the ground, and now at mach 5 they hurtled towards the Bredfordians. Each one carried a massive 2 ton charge of explosive, enough to level every building within 400 metres of the impact zone. The brefordians wouldnt stand a chance.

The Alfegosians began to re-enforce the defensive line around the beachead, for the inevitable counter-attack. The modified Stryker AA units were now re-enforced in place in the ground, in a heavy shielded position of concrete, sandbags and steel.

The snipers had now taken place around the perimeter, and the main gate had been closed, and held firm by 50 tons of steel re-enforcement. Nothing wanted to go in and out of the base, now the minefield and booby-traps had been layed within a mile of the base.

The LY4 tanks were not fortified: they were all inside the underground bunker, with most of the men, preparing for a counter-attack. The experimental fighters were now circling, ready to intercept and run.

Lancaster. CA Port.

The trap was set. An awful lot of time was spent doing it, but now they were ready. Ever since the reports about an enemy team infiltrating the city had arrived the minds of the Marine were working at full speed. Yes, they knew what the most obvious goal of these infiltrators was and now they finally had a way to get back at that pesky planes.

While the first line of defence was deactivated, as planned, a second, well hidden line was ready. They wouldn't know what hit them.

SIC:

To: Alfegos High Command
From: The Principality of Damirez

Abort the launch of the FROG missiles. The use of these missiles will only cause retaliation and there are civilians in range! Not to mention that the evacuation of Roser is still incomplete.

Alexander Suhorov.

OOC: Alfegos, careful with your victories.

Edited.

OOC: What's an SM-151?

Something I plucked out of thin air. It's a MBT, basically. I touched on that in the post.

OOC : The missiles are not armed with napalm, but HE warheads.

OOC: No Offense Bredford but is there any chance of me GAINING ground for more than a half hour? I seem to do nothing but retreat. Why are your losses always so much lower than mine when I'm defending? It doesn't make sense.

IC:
The Alversians dug into their new defensive positions and reinforced with substantial numbers of TS and Allied troops, they prepared to hold the line for quite some time. An artillery and rocket barrage was launched against the troops defending the opposite positions

OOC:Bredford, I think you forgot. There are about 700 fresh OP troops in roser. You are going to have to deal with them too.
IC:
Even as the bredford troops were securing their victory against alversia,OP marines had detoured around, launching a counterattack against the CA.Grenades flew and guns chattered.It was a charnelfield.
OP casualties(total so far)
230KIA
70WIA

OOC: Hope we have not forgotten the Drvarskan allies in Roser?

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

Mountains SE of Richmond

The 1750 soldiers of the 1st/2nd Mountain Battalions (+1st Motorized Reinforcements) edged their way through the mountains. With the sight of Richmond in view they knew their mission was almost complete. Along the way they encountered traps set by TS forces such as road blocks filled with rocks blasted out of cliff sides. For the Mountaineers this was nothing and climbed over them with ease. They have now reached the city of Richmond and they prepare for any enemy encounters as they load their AK-47 assault rifles (Nation's weapon) with enough RPG-7s and M249 SAW mgs to set up a good defence/attack perimeter in the city. The soldiers morale was good and they now have a chance to avenge their dead brothers in arms who lost their lives from sabotage attacks at sea.

The Republic of Drvarska

OOC: Are there any forces in Richmond?

OOC: Bedford was NOT captured. The entire TS reserve is defending the cities from any interference. You can't just pass through an entire TS army and the Reserve just like that. At the moment the fighting is taking place in Roser. There's one map with the front line in the OOC thread!

OOC: Just a reminder for everyone to please keep checking the OOC threads. @ Drvarska, yes, I have a full brigade at Richmond with air and SAM cover, plus a regimental sized task force screning the city that's been dug in their positions for the last two days. I'm sorry, but you are going to have to accept heavy casualties when I ambush your two mountain battalions. You can find my OOB and the map I posted on the 31st here (scroll down to the bottom): http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=533944&page=4

*reserved for future post*

"Intel suggests that we missed the target" said the commander of the firestorm. "What are we gonna fire at now?"

"How about we target that force of Weccanfield mountaineers moving into Richmond. They aren't inside the city yet, so we can use the rest of the flechettes to nail those bastards." replied his second officer.

"Excellent. And after that, lets see if we can't come round and launch an attack with the solid rounds on the port of York. I'm sure they have no defences for 500 kg tungsten blocks"

=====

Unit Alpha 10 had found the port fuel dump. This was too good an oppertunity to miss. Any guards who hadn't been darted were able to see the massive explosions as most of the moored fleet's fuel exploded.

=====

The counter-attack was coming, he was sure. The FROG - 7 missiles had likely destroyed many CA forces personel in Rosser. They would counter-attack, and avenge the blood of their brothers.

=====

The 4 A - 10 s had left the area, after dumping all their torpedos. Doubtless any sub in the area would have been hit, or badly shaken by the sonar bomb.

=====

The B4 Wyvern pilots hit the fire switchs as they came within the 10 mile range of their Exocet missiles. Ahead, 20 missiles flew through the sky, again attacking the fleet. But then came the AA fire. As well as the missiles that had only just locked onto the bombers, there was the 800 hidden flak guns among the city. Slowly, 8 of the planes hit began to dive downwards towards the city. The pilots ejected, before the planes self-destructed 50 m above the city.

The 2 survivors went to maximum speed towards Richmond airstrip to refuel. A call had come in they were needed.

=====

The ship APS Douglas was currently floating over the wreck of the Holocaust. From it, they had already taken the shut-down reactor unit, and now they were recovering the surviving equipment: some railguns, a bank of capacitors and 3 missiles. These would be but to good use on the next experimental series.

=====

As the Drvaska mountaineers edged towards Richmond, the flechettes hurtling towards them were the least of their worries. For they were now inside the area the Alfegos engineer corps had booby-trapped. A wrong foot, and a soldier would find himself in pieces from hidden charges and mines.

Major Kamau smiled as he looked through his digital ranging binoculars at the distant target. "Outstanding," the officer purred happily at what he was watching. "Absolutely outstanding." The binoculars had a seven kilometre range and could lase a target with its designator up to 10 clicks away on a clear day. They gave him a grand stand seat at the apocalypse, as he watched wave after wave of flechette falling like the arrows at Agincourt, scoring the mountains and kicking up great plumes of dust and black columns of smokes.

Eighth Recon had been in the hills south east of Richmond over 24 hours now. Their orders had been simple, to be a reconnaissance in force, acting as the eyes and ears for the brigade HQ back at Richmond. But Major Kamau was smiling. "Get me the Alfegos task force on the horn, son," the officer said without looking away, a commo sergeant offering him a mic on a curly cable from the portable JTRS radio set he carried.

It had been a long time since Major Kamau had called in fire missions, but he relished the opportunity that had presented itself. "Firestorm, Firestorm, this is Sneaky Devil, come in, over.”

"Sneaky Devil, this is Firestorm, go ahead, over," a communication officer aboard the APS Firestorm replied.

"Adjust your fire," the Major explained, before reading numbers printing off his digital binos. "Coordinates as follows - Papa Juliet 1866 1701. How copy, over?"

"Good copy," the commo officer replied. "Batteries are shifting fire now,"

A few seconds later a new scream filled the valley as the flechettes begun to pound the enemy positions again. Major Kamau observed the results as a whole mountainside disappeared under a hail of destruction. "Sneaky Devil, Firestorm, you have good hits," the major told him.

"Copy that," replied the Firestorm simply.

"All right, let's pack up," the Major said as he handed back the mic for the radio to his commo sergeant. Another load of flechettes was screaming overhead like the banshees themselves as soldiers rushed to return to their light utility vehicles. "We'll RV at phase line Charlie," the Major informed his executive officer as he climbed into his own vehicle ready to leave.

OOC: @ Alfegos, my recon forces are acting as spotters for your arty, so now they can hit with complete accuracy.

OOC: Hmm, I thought railguns were direct fire weapons. No matter, I'll treat them as shells with a concentrated area of effect, if that's not a problem.

In a port admiralty building, Weccanfelt commanders were discussing pictures that had recently emerged from space intelligence command.

"I reckon its one of those anti missile ships. That's a battleship, and two destroyers. That rules out missile attack, expect en masse. Subs might have a problem, and all. Large battleships will be a risk. What I reckon we should do is either gunboat swarm, aeroplane swarm or long range shell bombardment. What'd you think?"

"I think we should try the latter. We sink this ship, then Alfegos may get knocked out for good. I'm thinking, two big Abifian classes, protected by Destroyers and Gunboats. These will each attack the group from different sides. Head for the ships that can hit us back first, then we disable the guns on the rail ship. I think we can skip a couple of years of railgun research. Have gunboats pick up any suvivors. Shoot any that resist. Try and get the rail boat people to surrender. If they scuttle it, take it from the sea. Got that?"

"Yes sir, I'll send them immeadiately. We've got two Abifian groups nearby, I'll just redivert them."

"Good. And what ever you do, don't show that you want to take the ship until it's too late. Make it so that they all drown if they do anything to the ship. Good Luck."

"Very well Sir."

* * *

The advance was going well, until suddenly the infrared sensors started going crazy. As they did this, a tank took a direct hit, and exploded. One that was next to it recieved damage, but it kept limping on.

The order was given to spread out, when the second shot came and hit the hill above. The troops were begining to become restless.

Then, the radio in the command vehicle started talking, saying:

Don't worry, we've got task forces on it. It's a railgun that is firing at you, but soon it will stop. Try detecting them with infrared sensors. Good luck.

* * *

As the sun began to touch the horizon, two Abifian class crusiers, the Canc and the Waciende, along with their entourages started to approach the enemy battle group from both sides.

Each ship had a following of one destroyer, one supply ship trailing behind, and four gunboats. The gunboats were tiny, but had a nasty sting, in the form of SAM missiles, deck guns and Heavy Machine Guns.

The destroyer was mainly there to scare off submarines, but also served as a missile and AA platform. Of course, with the anti missile ship, these boats were rendered pretty much useless, save for their limited guns and AA missiles.

The cruisers were the main force in the task forces. They had their share of AA and machine guns, but it was their guided shell cannons that were going to be the main force to attack the enemy boats with.

With the cannons primed, the anti missile guns loaded, and the infrared and sonar detectors ready to spot any other enemies, they were ready to fire.

And fire they did. A stream of ten guided shells, their simple computers using fins to hit the right spot, using infrared, headed toward the enemy railguns and anti missile ship, as did the gunboats.

* * *

The mountaineers had taken more causalties from the enemy bombardment, but messages that it was soon to end stopped them from losing their nerve completely. Some of the tanks rested in Tribal towns, using them as shields, others behind hills, but if the bombardment had done something, it had certainly slowed down the force.

OOC: So my forces should not be outside Richmond you say Damirez? I will make a post anyway that they attack if you respond saying it should not be true I will immediatly change it for you. Keep in mind I am still new to this.

IC:

Major Lothar commander of both Mountain Battalions SE from Richmond led his troops forward to the city when suddenly 10 of his men was killed by a booby trap. "Hold your positions!" he shouted. His radioman walked carefully to him. "Call in our Air support to whipe out them booby traps ahead!" he told him. "Right away sir".

The men halted and decided to dig in at their position in case of enemy fire. 10 minutes later 9 A-10 IIs came into sight armed with BGM-109 missles equipped with HE warheads blazed the land in front of them setting off explosions high into the air of exploding booby traps. The A-10s broke off immediatly and returned to base. As the fire died down the men started to emerge from their cover and then suddenly were knocked off their feet from Rail gun fire near Richmond. Major Lothar ordered his men back to their fox holes before any casualties were inflicted, unfortuantly some men died from the horrific blasts.

The rail guns fell silent and Lothar recieved a message from the Weccanfeld army that the issue was being taken care of. For now the soldiers sat deep in their foxholes with rifles at the ready and wait till artillery has been destroyed.

Casualty report:
94 dead
6 wounded

Forces remaining:
1650 pers.

The Republic of Drvarska

OOC: KK

SIC:
The 2 Wyverns touched down at Richmond airstrip, and the ground crew jumped immeadiately to refuel the beasts. They had never seen anything like these planes, which though typical in stealth design, were of peculiar shapes.

On each one, the payload was filled with a single bomb: the MOAB, known as the Massive Ordinace AirBurst, or as the Mother Of All Bombs.

One of these could kill anyone within half a mile. And they were going straight to the frontline at Rosser. If the missiles hadn't provoked a counter-attack, these would.

=====

Onboard the Firestorm, the co-ordinates received had helped greatly. They now only had though a few Flechette shells, before they would have to start using the remaining rounds onboard: the 500 kg blocks of Tungsten. These, if they did hit accurately, could turn a tank into a smoking wreck in one shot.

The co-ordinates would have to be accurate.

Meanwhile, the Ultimatum let rip at the co-ordinates with the main guns.

=====

There was chaos in the port as the missiles hit home, accompanied by the explosions from the fuel depot as the tanks ignited. Under this cover, the squad began their advance on the CA high command. Lethal force was a last resort, so the stun grenades and crossbows would prove useful.

First, they had to find the bunker. Interrogating a guard would be perfect.

"We have an incoming gunboat swarm! And two heavy cruisers by the looks of things."

"Shit! Alert the air command! Get the fighters on the group instantly, and divert all power on the Firestorm to the railguns. Lets see how they like this!"

The battleship turned its guns towards the incoming ships on one flank, while on the other, the Firestorm turned to them. The two destroyers broke off from the main group, and prepared to let loose on the gunboats, while the AM ship hid between the two main ships, so it was not targeted. Classic formation.

Now the guns prepared to let rip on the opposers. The battleship let loose a warning volley from 2 guns at the missile cruiser, while the air on the Firestorm was filled with the scream of the capacitor bank alarms as the overchargers kicked in, to allow for more rapid fire, at the cost of more heat.

But in case of the worst, the nuclear reactor on the Firestorm and Ultimatum had been set to situation RED.

A telegram was sent to the opposing fleet:

We are giving you a preliminary warning: if under any circumstances you attempt to capture the Firestorm or Ultimatum, the crew are prepared to set off an uncontrollable chain reaction in the nuclear reactors, resulting in the complete obliteration of all ships within 3 miles, from nulear explosion.

If you continue your attempts to attack us, we will not be merciful towards your ships incoming.

The ships prepared for conflict, while the fighters began to close in from overhead.

=====

The guard had told them the location of the bunker, and the codes on the level C security areas. He had been spared death, and was instead tied in a cupboard inside an abandoned house.

The squad moved swiftly towards the location, preparing for the attack on the high command.

OOC: Drvarska, it's up to me to decide my casualties not you and to flank my troops you would need to go through an entire Armoured Battalion (200 Tanks, 8,000 men) to get there.

Reports came to Air General Dan Summers about Naval activity off the coast of Richmond.
"Nuclear reactor suicide!? This is madness" he thought.
He got reports as well that enemy aircraft were in bound of the attacking allied fleet and decided that he must take action and aid them.
"Send forth the 2nd Attack Fighter group to intercept enemy aircraft near Richmond!" he yelled over the phone.
"Right away sir!" replied Lt. Peter Orlov Commander of the 2nd Attack Fighter group.
Within minutes the crew of 20 F4 Phantom IIs equipped with air-air missiles and deadly 20mm machine guns. The co-ordinates recieved and they lifted.

As they approached the targets, they gained altitude behind the enemy aircraft and dived down taking them by surprise. A number of enemy aircraft was seen being destroyed, the F4s fought on.

The Republic of Drvarska

The F-22's of the APAAF and the recently arrived F/A-18's of the APNAF dived again and again into the F-4's. They were enjoying this combat as many of them had already flown dozens of sorties over Rosser and the landing sites. This was a chance for some air-to-air combat. What they were trained for.

While the A-10's pounded the parts of the city under Drvarskan control, the MLRS' turned their fury on those parts also. The hope being to distrurb them for long enough to launch a full Alversian/TS counter-oofensive.

OOC: Sorry Alversia, I was not aware of this unit. Here is the correction then.

IC:

The Drvarskan soldiers recieved reports of Heavy casualties in a sector of Roser from the Bredford army. Already being under bombardment the Drvarskan soldiers made a daring attempt to push through the lines.

General Brett ordered his soldiers to flank the enemy and attack with:

1st/2nd Motor./1st Air./1st/5th Armour
2880 Soldiers (equipped with XM-8, AK-47, RPG-7, M249 SAW)
35 Leopard II tanks
20 M2 Bradley
20 Gage commando Armoured vehicle

Using the armoured vehicles gave the infantry some protection as they charged the Alversian forces taking some number of casualties. Some prisoners were captured as well. They achieved some ground but they are now preparing for defence from a possible counter attack.

Casualty report:
676 dead
104 wounded
8 Leapoard II destroyed
10 M2 Bradley destroyed
7 Gage commandos destroyed

The Republic of Drvarska

The fighters had been surprised, yet only 3 of their number had fallen. The remaining 17 did something quite unexpected: they turned on the SCRAMJETs, leving the F 4 s behind as they sped to Mach 8, their top speed. First though, they had let loose a volley of new Sidewinder IX missiles, which had soon selected the phantoms and swarmed in on them.
=====
Down on the sea, the Firestorm had taken 2 hits from the shells, but luckily had only been hit in non - vital places. The railguns opened up, and with satisfaction the commander saw the enemy cruisers perforated by 6 huge holes, 2 below the waterline.

The Ultimatum was faring worse: a shell had hit the engine room, leaving it immobile. But when it let loose the barrage of 30 guided shells back in the opposing fleets direction the commander knew for certain the ship had been destroyed.

An explosion rocked the boat: the destroyer had taken a direct hit to the munitions room, and had completely exploded, with a loss of all hands on board.

The other destroyer had been taken out a while before, engaging an enemy destroyer. Before it took a hit to the bridge, it had managed to score a direct hit on the enemy flank, certainly breaching half of the compartments.

The commander knew it would be a long battle, and that they may lose. But the lifepods were all ready, in case the worst came: that the reactor had to be detonated.

=====

On the mainland Alfegos, a truck exploded as the missile blew out of it. It was a Minuteman VIII, armed with a thermonuclear warhead. The government hoped this would cause the attacking fleet to withdraw

=====

We are giving you one final warning, agressors: if you do not disengage, the missile coming towards your homeland will impact on your capital, causing devastating loss of life.

We repeat, this is your final warning.

Lt. Orlov was happy that they had achieved full suprise and knocked out 3 of their aircraft but as they were engaging others the enemy aircraft sped up and out of sight. One of Orlovs own fighters was destroyed immediatly as one enemy released a sidewinder missle directly into it.

"Blast it!" he thought.
"All units break up and regroup. From there we return to base." he ordered over the radio.

The Republic of Drvarska

The Mountains, South East of Richmond

Quite how the Drvarska forces survived the railgun strikes in the mountains no one really knew. With barely a 30 second warning before the first tungsten rod had screamed down on their positions at thousands of kilometres a second, the Drvarska soldiers had had no opportunity whatsoever to seek cover.

The only break they had caught had been the fact the first salvo had not been direct on target. Unfortunately, the reconnaissance soldiers of the E.A. 8th Recon Company had called in new coordinates that had made the two follow up salvoes deadly accurate. They had watched tiny dots throw up in the air as the strikes came down. Except each dot was a main battle tank being flung hundreds of feet into the air by the force of the impact from a 500 kg tungsten rod.

And then came the coupe de grace. Major Kamau had called in the coordinates himself as he shifted the Firestorm's fire. As the Drvarska mountaineers had tried to fall back to escape the destruction, the third and final strike had come down on the cliffs above them. The Major was already back in his light truck and driving away with from the scene, but he could feel it through the armoured hull of his Predator II vehicle. A distant rumbling, a shaking of the ground, a deep roar like a million mountain lions.

Above the Drvarska forces the whole mountainside was moving. A torrent of millions of tons of rock that slammed into the column. Unstoppable. Unbearable. If anyone at all had survived, it was only because the railguns of the Firestorm had been silenced as she too came under attack.

The City of Richmond

The air raid sirens were blaring across the city and panicked civilians were rushing to the safety of the underground platforms of the mass transit system. The inbound Drvarskan Phantom IIs had been detected by the Arabel radars of the SAMP/T batteries, hat now cued the firing units dispersed across the city regardless of whether the aircraft had been intending to attack targets in Richmond or out to sea.

Within seconds each of the Phantom IIs had their own Aster 30 missile as an unwanted wingman. The Aster 30s could shoot down fifth and sixth-generation stealth aircraft. There was absolutely no contest versus the Phantom Iis ageing third-generation technology. The first shots fired in anger by Battlegroup Aurore resulted in twenty burning airframes crashing into the Alestran countryside.

OOC: @ Drvarska, you cannot advance and dig in at the same time, and you were taken by surprise facing accurate fire from the railguns. Please accept the horrendous casualties suffered by your mountain troops. While I hate to fire the ignore cannon, your attack on Richmond is both physically and militarily impossible and therefore never happened.

As the message appeared on a screen, panic spread across command. A nuclear attack was the worst possible event, but counter measures had been taken.

"How likely is it to be shot down?"

"Not likely as the FM would like. He says the media can stir to people into a blood frenzy, get them joining up in the hundreds. A Pyrrhic victory for them, so it seems. He wants us to withdraw, and try and get us both to stop using civilians as hostages."

"Right, I'd better send the message. Scramble the Anti Missile Batteries, and jets. And some subs, as well. Just in case"

Dear Alfegos Command

Though personally I find your use of Thermo Nuclear Weapons to prevent your ships from being hit appaling, our FM has decided that such deaths are unnecessary. Therefore, we will withdraw the shipping, on the condition that our forces are not fired upon. We would also completely withdraw our main naval presence if you do the same.

Though before I end this message, I would like to forwarn you about our own nuclear arsenal, which we will use if the missile is not aborted, and such disgraceful actions are continued. And I also hope that your people don't condone such actions, as ours certainly don't.

That is All.

Field Marshall Kenkyoan.

"The damned thing probably isn't even really nuclear..." He muttered.

The ships at battle ceased firing, as the two groups drew away. But the main important group had barely survived.

The Firestorm was listing, as the front 2 pockets were filled with water from shell impacts, and 20 men on one gun had been killed when an imcoming shell had had the capacitor bank, obliterating the gun. But half the guns had survived, and two thirs of the crew were still standing.

The Ultimatum however was more seriously damaged: two shells had managed to get hits on the main gun turrets. The resulting explosion of ammunition had blown a sizable chunk out of the ship, and the pumps were working at full power to keep the ship afloat.

The AM cruiser was undamaged, hiding between the two bulks.

The two destroyers weren't so lucky: only 10 men had survived from the two. But the main ships hadn't been destroyed, and the incoming repair and hospital ships would soon have the two ships almost battleworthy.

For the meanwhile, the Firestorm would not be able to bombard shore again, and it would be hours before the guns cooled down enough to be repaired.

=====

The 17 air pilots who had SCRAMJETed were now orbiting back round, and deaccelerating rapidly to normal cruise speed, at high altitude. They were searching for the attackers, and would soon find their mark.

=====

In space, the Minuteman self-destructed in a massive ball of nuclear energy, too far away to harm anything.

=====

The two Wyverns were over their mark in Rosser. Now they dropped the two MOABs before wheeling back round to Richmond.

=====

The unit, to the cacophany of explosions from the port, sneaked past the guards at the entrance of the bunker, and typed in the code on the door. The guards on the other side were immobilised by two stun darts from the bows. Now they crept through the corridors, towards central command. If they could take the CA leaders, this conflict would be over.

=====

The Field Marshall breathed out a sigh of relief as the missile detonation was confirmed. But he still had the rage boiling inside him from the threat.

"Are the jets scrambled?"

"Yes."

"How did the groups fare?"

"The Canc took 6 hits, two below the waterline. Bulkheads have been utilised, but it might not survive to see port again. The supply ship is trying to repair, but it won't be battle-worthy unless we get it into drydock. The jets are escorting it home. The other group fared better, should still be battle-worthy."

"Good. Now, here are my orders for Aaron. Only fire if they fire. And don't give any indication of his nationality. Let's hope those new torpedos are worth the money they cost."

* * *

Now that the bombardment had stopped, the Weccanfeld army reformed, and continued on their invasion.

* * *

Captian Aaron looked at the orders he had recieved, and smiled. The Yrðling and it's two brothers were ready to scour the seas, silent as, well, nothing. Diesel-Electric engines with the latest sound reduction technology. These submarines were deadly. And that was before considering the torpedoes, that could travel at 200 knots, and be guided to it's target, and fire from twelve kilometres away. And most importantly, it could hide it's nationality well.

Only problem was, he was also told the FM would try and get some agreement to get rid of the whole war in the sea. If that happened, they wouldn't be any glorious sinking of ships. His fingers were cross that it would not go ahead, and that the cowards that he was meant to stalk weren't going to wave big missiles in their faces again.

* * *

The First Minister of Weccanfeld sat at his desk, and wiped his forehead. 'Thank god for that...' he thought. He then rung up the telegram office, and asked to send a message to who ever was in charge of Alfegos. The message was:

Dear Sir

The recent episode that we have had has been a close call, I'm sure you'll agree. Though I think it is not necessary to shout threats at each other. To stop any futher problems, I propose that we both agree to withdraw shipping from the area.

Please get back soon.

FM J Cromtoan

Official Communique

The Alfegos government has already shown its opinion on the attack of our vessels.

If any more attacks on the vessel occur, we will be more serious: we will fire more nuclear weapons, and we will not give you a chance to amend your ways.


The damaged battlegroup was now being re-enforced so that it would not come under attack again: two new destroyers for the group, and to deter any sub attacks, the new sonar bombs.

These, when detonated, would illuminate any subs in the area, and destroy any sonar equipment. Which was why all allied subs were warned before they started dropping in the water at 5 minute intervals.

=====

The squad were hiding in a storage room, to assess the situation. There was suprising little resistance. Some kind of trap was likely, so they would wait for the results from the hacked camera network. But they could only hack the level 3 and 2 security. Level 1 was impossible, as it was all contained within a faraday cage to protect from EMP.

Joahn was displeased with the reply, and immediately sent back a reply:

Amend our ways? We came in this war to help our friends, not try to turn Heahburg into a glowing crater. If you fire on our allies, and our troops, is it not you that started hostilies?

And also, nuclear warheads are not conventional weapons, to be commonly used. They are to be used to defend against those who seek to use them like manics. Why must you use them this way? Can we not fight this war probably, instead of using millions of innocent lives as cannon fodder?

Official Communiqué

The Alegos governemnt apologises for the hasty reaction to an attack on our capitol ship. We have now seen the error of our ways, and will, for now, suspend nuclear activities.



The submarine bomb fell over the side, and sunk to 40 m below the surface before exploding. The pulse of sound echoed across the sea, and showed the faint outline of 3 submarines. These were just on the edge of the 15 km mark. They may have heard the pulse, but would not attack until within at least 12 km.

The 4 A -10s took off, with a payload of sonar bombs, ready to take on any subs in the area of the ship group.

=====

Below, the Wyvern pilots saw the massive ball of flame as the MOABs detonated. Nothing could have lived thorugh that.

Dear Alfegos Government

I am glad that you have seen the error of your ways, that your ship isn't more important than millions of lives.

Joahn breathed a sigh of relief. Nuclear Attack, for the while at least, had been averted. He called Kenkyoan.

"Bring the Alert down from Black to Red, I've got them to stop threatening us. What about the subs?"

"Bad news. The subs have been detected. They're blinding the sonar now."

* * *

One of the submarines released a box like object, which then started to make a large noise, one that would make the exact location of the subs impossible to see, as they fled back from the area.

Aaron would have his day in the sun. Someday...

"The subs have disappeared!" said the 2nd officer of the Firestorm.
"Don't worry, they are retreating, for now. We have it on good authority from our government that they won't be bothering us any more." replied the commander.

=====

The 4 A - 10s banked around and began to return to land at Richmond. They had another requirement.

=====

The squad continued looking at the Palmtop with the camera displays on it. The coast seemed to be clear at the doorway to level 1 area. But they needed a way to get in. There were no security guards that probably had clearance nearby, and they couldn't hack the scanners. They would have to blow down the door if they wanted to get in. And it wasn't going to breech easily. So they would have to wait, until someone came who they could use to open the door.

=====

The Wyverns flew back to base, with the massive plume of smoke from the two MOABs behind them.

OOC: Once again I am sorry for the mistakes. Here is the change. The last post about Richmond has been deleted.

IC:

Richmond SE:

After constant artillery shells falling on them they were taking a heavy toll of casualties. Major Lothar recieved a wound in his leg, the inexperienced reinforcements of the 1st Motorized battalion took heavy casualties and was pretty much gone. They were now zeroed in. In a break of the artillery Lothar took this chance to retreat before he too was killed.

"Everyone make for the Mountains. Lets move! move!" he yelled.
The soldiers emerged from foxholes, what was left of them carrying the wounded with them. They all made the to the foot of the mountains
before the next barrage rained down on them. With some cover of rocks they recieved minor casualties but the shells exploding above them caused a downfall of rocks into their position. Using shelter of some small cliffs they managed to avoid most of the rocks but still recieved casualties.

Lothar survived along with the rest of his 2 battalions. They reached to safety where a column of M998 Humvees escorted by a couple mi-24 hinds.
Lothar rounded up his men and gave them a speech on their good efforts and they were to return to their home land and some day they will avenge their fallen comrades. The convoy was taken to Langley where Chinooks and Blackhawks were to take them back home along with the wounded.

Casualty report:
897 dead
543 wounded

Forces remaining:
310 (retreating)

=========

Richmond airspace

the 19 F4s were on the way back to base when suddenly they realised their position was above Richmond where Lt.Orlov yelled over the radio to increase speed and gain altitude. It was too late, enemy anti air missles were in bound, one on each aircraft. The F4s were no match for the missles as only four made it out alive. The rest were either destroyed or on fire. 6 F4 pilots managed to eject before they crashed to the ground, gliding their chutes over to friendly territory they managed to get to the mountains after witnessing a terrifying bombardment they got clear of it. Orlov and a wingman were in the two surviving F4s and they radioed the position of the down pilots.

Minutes later Orlov and his wingmen landed at a Drvarskan airfield where they were greeted by General Summers, CO of the Drvarskan Air force (DAF).

"You boys had a hell of a fight." he said to them.
"We nearly lost all our men sir. We need better aircraft, these F4s are outta date." Orlov said after a drink of water.
"We will see to it Orlov. For now we got reports that the 6 pilots have been recovered and are on the way back here."
"Finally some good news." Orlov muttered.

The UH-60 Blackhawk spotted the flare at the pilots positions. Quickly they put them onboard, each of their faces was covered in black smoke. The were on their way back to the Airfield at Drvarska.

The Republic of Drvarska

On approach to Rosser, by Air and Land

~ The 11th Division of the Vestaglies Neres had had one hell of a time on the Island. From landing and grouping up at Langley, they had been deployed and dispersed throughout the Allied Armies, fought in several major battles so far, had sustained quite a few casualties, and yet, they were ready to volunteer for another suicide mission.

The encirclement known as Rosser had to be breached. Major Fidellio Solle had ordered it, so it was to be so. Air strikes had been called in to the area, and 2 companies of 200 soldiers each, as well as 6 Mk.II Infernos were preparing to take the plunge into the battlefield to rescue the Alversian troopers. Leading them was First Lieutenant Seraphino DeLucia, and, having been a member of the 11th since its formation, was a great tactician and Infantry Squadron leader. He had spread some of his troops out, so as to prevent a single attack wiping out the entire division, but he still managed to make sure they were in easily defensible positions should they be spotted.

They held just outside the encirclement while the Lancia di Dio launched yet another coordinated strike against any enemy positions towards the West, prepping the area for siezure by the "White Eyes".

Captain Cristiano Ceri, callsign Salvatore, was the leader of the strike force, consisting of 2 wings of each type of fighter currently on the Aircraft Carrier, with each wing containing 4 jets. He was a member of the 104th Tactical Fighter Squadron: the same Squad that Emperor Antonio Gori had commanded back in his days as a Captain.

" All wings report in," the radio crackled alive in all of the fighters, and as each called in, Ceri counted down the seconds until they would be over their target. His squadron, seated in AE-7 Furfantes, was supposed to dispense all Air-To-Ground weaponry as quickly as possible, and then provide cover for the Y-3s as they knocked out any type of weaponry they found, be it infantry, armored units, AA, hunkered-down defenses, and so on. Meanwhile, the NA-74 Air-Superiority Fighters were gracing the skies, waiting to pounce and wipe out any threat that came near the fighter-bombers.

Finally, the enemy was found, the squadrons broke, and Hell rained on all who were there to witness it. Captain Ceri, ever the classical music afficionado, was blaring a piece with such swells and crashes over their communications' that it spurred every pilot to dive on their kill as if a demon falling from the Heavens. Surprise had so far been their ally, and even if they had been picked up on radar, the Nitalians still had a first-strike opportunity, which they abused as much as humanly possible.

Beautiful music accompanied a chaotic scene below the clouds ...~

OOC: Leaving it up to any CA force to take these losses, provided they're in the right area.

Colonial Alliance. HQ

"Status?"

They breached the entrance to the bunker, currently they're trying to get past the Level 1 security."

"Good, let them play a bit more before they realize they're in a rat trap."

"Yes, sir."

Behind his desk Alexander Mackenzie had a wicked smile on his face. His brother was sure to congratulate him for a job good done and he'll finally have the upper hand on that bitch.
---

Open Sea. CA submarine.

The pulse caught the ship by surprise, but luck was once again on their side. Having experienced countless encounters with The Principality navy they had to be quick to adapt. And quick they were.

One of the most common tactics they used was laying low, even dropping dead as some called it. It worked. Without any system in function and on the sea floor it was nigh to impossible for anyone to pick them up. Add to it the diversion provided by the Weccanfeld submarines and they were home free.

With only a handful of torpedoes left, they had to make each and everyone of them count.

---

Colonial Alliance. HQ

The recent use of MOABs in Roser left Alberta in a very sour mood. Not only had she lost a few hundred men, but it also delayed reinforcements long enough for the TS forces and allies to firmly root themselves in place. She had only one option left.

Sighing and with a heavy heart he made the call.

"Yes, I agree."

It was a deal with the devil, but she hoped that The Principality would reign them in after the war ended, with her victory of course, but at the moment she had no other choice.

---

Open Sea. Unknown Arsenal Submarine Fleet.

"Yes, acknowledged."

"Location?"

"300 naval miles, in range sir."

"Good, let them feel it."

A few seconds after these words were uttered five submarines lifted to launch depth and started their barrage. They were quick and in just a few minutes almost six hundred missiles were heading towards the island of Alestra. A heavy blow for the TS indeed.

With this step of the mission completed they submerged, getting away from the location as fast as possible. It wouldn't do for one of those nasty Carrier battle groups to find them.

---

York. Civilian Harbour.

What was an unassuming cargo ship was anything but. With approval from high command the ship was finally ready for business. Equipped with latest hour technology it was the ultimate defensive platform, ready to shoot down anything that was flying and prevent any naval incursion. The ultimate infiltrator, and it was all ready for action.


OOC: Sorry for posting mostly for the CA, but they're the ones taking most of the fire at the moment.

Unit Alpha 10 knew someting was up. Not one guard had gone in or out of Level 1. Then he realised they msut be watching them through the camera network. Swearing, he ripped out the cable and then sent a massive energy pulse thorugh the camera network. The camera outside the corridor sparked and was silent. Now they could not see them. But they were blind, and had probably set off the trap. That in mind, they burst out of the room, in defensive formation. Nothing happened.

The squad commander was smiling has he laid the trap for them, if they came out. In various hidden parts of the corridors, laser trips mines had been set up. These would go off if anyone walked thorugh the invisible beam.

He was proud at the trap on the door of the room they had hid in: a frag grenade in a tin, linked by a tripwire thinner than a hair to the door. I fthe door opened, the openers would be toast.

That done, they regrouped out side the door to level one security, and got in position. If anyone came in through that door, they would be greeted with a hail of bullets.

They had run out of darts, so were reverting to the assault rifles. These sleek dark rifles were ready to let loose a storm of heavy AP/HE bullets, that would explode INSIDE a human. These were not the nastiest things on the guns: the launchers with the solid tungsten darts were.

=====

The Ultimatum dropped antoher sonar bouy into the water. It dropped to the sea bed, before detonating, and revealing all things within 15 miles.

On this pulse, a strange group of objects had appeared. These looked completely like a shoal of fish. But they were almost on the sea bed.

To confirm what they were, a small tender broke off from the battle group to get a more accurate picture.

=====

Onboard the AM ship, a massive swarm of missiles were detected: over 600.

Immediately, the patriot and defender launchers swiveled around and began to fire missiles locked to these. But the ship wouldn't be able to destroy them all.

=====

The forces in the Alfegos foreward base had got a counter-attack: the 600 missiles heading towards them were proof of that. Immeadiately, the alarms sounded, and most of the personel not manning the critical defences sped to the bunker.

On the defences, the AA launchers fired a barrage of missiles to intercept them. Even with help, they were going to take a pounding.

=====

The Anaconda lurked in the waters, plying the shipping lanes outside York civilian port. It had found a ship departing, and in less than a minute, the sub would launch 3 guided torpedos to take it down.

Colonial Alliance. HQ

"Sir," a random intelligence officer interrupted Alexander Mackezie's musings, "We believe they finally caught on."

"Really now?" replied Alexander. He expected them to catch on, but for them to do so before entering level one made him lose a wager, never a good thing to lose money. "Is the installation sealed?"

"Yes sir, there's no way anyone can get out of there," answered his subordinate.

"Good, release the soldiers."

"Yes sir."

"And now the show begins," and laughter echoed across the room.

What a surprise the enemy will have when they found out they slaughtered innocent natives, now if he could only find a way to better exploit this.

---

Open sea. A submarine.

"Sir! Sonar picked up a small ship heading our way."

"Hmmm..."

"Sir?"

"This might be just what we need, prepare to launch a NST once they are close by. It should blind their sonar long enough for us to take action. Immediately afterwards launch torpedoes, use pattern alpha and set them to blow. They'll really feel this one."

"Yes sir!"
---

Open Sea.

It was once the defending fleet started firing patriot missiles at the offending missiles that the true horror heading towards them was revealed.

Those were not ordinary missiles. Each and everyone of them split in two, doubling their number and creating chaos among the defenders. There would be no mercy.

To make things worse, another fleet was preparing to make a missile run. They could never know when they'll receive another opportunity like this one.

---

CA Port.

The ship instantly detected the three torpedoes. It would not do however to play their hand so soon. It mattered little that civilians would suffer because of this attack. If anything this would just bolster public support for the CA, something the colonials badly needed in this war. And besides, they only received orders to protect the harbour, not ships getting out of it.

---

Front Lines. CA/TS Army

Something big was coming, the men could feel it in their bones. With proper supplies and ammo they thought the commanders were going to throw them into the fire at the first occasion, but it was not so. Slowly they were grouped, prepared and instructed. With little interference from from the enemy they were more than ready, but for what?

---

Colonial Alliance Headquarters.

Alberta Kinkard was currently looking at the latest reports. As she already knew hundreds of missiles were heading towards the enemy positions, probably more in the next few hours, now she had to take advantage to the fullest of this development.

SIC.

To: Colonial Alliance Allies.

Due to certain circumstances we expect the positions of the TS allies and those of their allies to suffer some damage. This, combined with our preparation open the door for a new offensive. Our Third and Second armies are preparing as we speak a major offensive in the south, intending to draw attention from Rosser and ease the pressure on the First army. We urge our allies to be prepared for action.

May victory smile upon us.

---

Tribal Stronghold. Headquarters.

The latest fighting in Roser made it clear to Michel Belisarius that neither side was going to gain a definite advantage there. He wasn't worried about that as he had expected for the city to turn into a meat grinder. After all he had to do that if he wanted to save Bedford.

But now the issue was totally different. With the missile spam coming from an unknown source, although he had his suspicions due to certain sources, his position was going to deteriorate. He had to do something to ease the pressure on Roser.

The best answer was a counter offensive south of the city launched by the First Army while the second faked an all out offensive in the south, drawing the attention of the enemy Second and Third armies.

As he completed his plans he only allowed himself a few minutes to mourn his dead cousin. He would have time for that after the war.

SIC
TO: Tribal Stronghold Allies

We are currently preparing a major counter offensive. As such our aid in the defence of Roser is going to be limited, but hopefully with the success of this offensive we will reduce the pressure on the city.

For a swift and decisive victory.

---Undisclosed Location. Principality of Damirez

They tried to lay it down gently for him, but he knew it would be impossible for them to do so.

Another sip of wine, another stray though.

"What if..."

Thinking about the past, about decisions that shaped the present.

"No, I love him!"

About family and pride.

"You must understand your status, you're not a random pauper!"

About the ones he admired.

"It is her choice brother. Do you not understand that?"

About wounds that remain open.

"Fine, I'll never talk to you again."

About family and love.

"She had twins, they're healthy. Just talk to her."

About pride.

"Can you not forgive her brother?"

About pride.

"Why are you so blind brother?"

About failure.

"We regret to inform you..."

About the future.

"The kids are alive! They're alive!"

About lessons of the past.

"They'll forge their own destiny. I will not make the same mistake again!"

Another sip of wine.

In the end, his sister was the very embodiment of her family. Strong, relentless, undefeated and most of all loyal. Her final act, that of fighting her way out of the napalm inferno that set upon her backwater home, was in itself a miracle.

But she made it! Against all odds, against fire and smoke she fought, she fought and won for her babies. As they found her, the reports on his table said, she was smiling, smiling for being able to save her children even with the cost of her own life. A victory if he knew one.

In the end, his sister proved that she was, without a doubt, a Belisarius.

The soldiers started to edge into the bunker, to clear out the unit. But they hadn't expected the booby traps. The squad commander smiled as one of the enemys tripped a laser mine.

From the level one security sector, nothing had moved. The hacking expert though was at work attempting to break into the bunker server through the retinal scanner. There was a hissed "yes!" as the program he had inserted into the mainframe began to reveal all the enemy battle plans. He began to relay the data to the government.

=====

The sonar on the tender was suddenly jammed.

"Sir, the shoal, can you still see them?"

"Yes, the last sonar bomb a minute ago showed they had moved close to you."

"Shit! sir, it's a group of stealth subs! Get the AS weapons..."

They were suddenly cut off. In the distance, the commander on the Ultimatum heard the explosion.

"Everyone, get the hell outta here! We'll try to hold them off, but you go. We can't as the engine is still out of action, but the secret weapons should hold them off."

=====

At the Alfegos base, the alarms were sounding as the RADAR spotted the remaining 240 missiles had split in two. Most were headed towards the front lines, but at least 20 were headed towards them.

"Everyone, 1 minute ETA. Take cover!"

As the last few people went into the shelters underground, the main bunker doors, vents and other ducts were sealed off by temporary steel bulkheads.

=====

The attack plans had been relayed to Alfegos and TS allies HQs, and the Wyvern pair knew exactly what to do. The Vulcan minelayers had not worked that well before, but his time, they would leave a massive barrier in front of the 2 nd and 3 rd army, in combination with the various booby-traps in the forests of the area.

=====

The Anaconda watched as the cargo ship sunk. It would be a while before any cargo ships dared to exit the port, so the commander toyed with attacking the ships in port.

Yes. He would try. The submarine changed its angle and locked the 12 remaining torpedos on the cargo ships docked. 2 for each one. That would be a dent on the supplies of the CA.

CA. HQ.

It was working perfectly. The enemy was downloading the fake battle plans in front of his eyes and soon due to just one simple inteligence act the TS was going to be crushed. Alas, he always failed to understand what was running through the minds of the 'soldiers' he had sent in. They foiled his plan, even though they knew what was going to happen.

Through booby traps and deadly bullets the 'soldiers' pressed on. They had to stop the enemy commando, even though they were fighting for the same side.

---

*CA. Harbour.*

The infiltrator detected the missiles as soon as they left the enemy sub. It wasn't all that difficult for what was in fact a customized defensive platform to calculate a defensive pattern that could take them all out, but such was not the case. Those torpedoes could be useful in the long run. After all who would suspect a wreck of housing one of the deadliest defensive systems? And as a bonus their government now had plenty of excuses for taking action.

In the last possible moment their Point Defence system activated and shot down the torpedoes. For the outside world it would seem as a hit and nobody would realise that it took more than that to sink this ship.

---

*Front lines. CA Army.*

The actions of the enemy air fleet came as a surprise, but the CA leaders were quick to capitalize on it. They would use this and the higher mobility of the TS army against them, an unexpected benefit indeed.

The telegram office quickly sent out two messages, one to the CA and its allies, and one to the CA itself.

To the CA and its allies

We have forces to the South West of Bedford. We should be able to enter the city. We will be taking the main road to Bedford soon.

To the Colonial Alliance only

The battle in the southern seas is progressing well, but Alfegos will not likely take this attack well. Once the ship goes down, he will either detonate the reactor, or attempt to retrieve the husk to stop us from retrieving it ourselves. We have three submarines on hand, and a sizeable amount of shipping in the area. The subs will help you sink the ships, and the ships will retrieve the remains, if any exist. Once examined, we will share the technology with you.

All mentioned units are en route now, while the shipping is distracted by the missile attack.

A cheer sounded around the ships as they began to turn back the fight the enemies that had nearly sunk the Canc. The patrol boats would swarm the enemy. They had been refitted with the special torpedoes that Aaron had, and with their manuverbilty and SAM technology, they would be quite a match for the enemy.

And then, the big guns would close in from behind. They were filming the experience, not only for glory, but that in case the enemy did self-destruct, so that they could score a victory from showing how reckless the enemy are. Keeping more than 3 miles away, the ship would fire from a distance, using the destroyers not only as anti air and missile platforms, and shields as one of them drew into the port side of the ship, to stop any rail attacks. The guns could fire over the ship, whereas the rails couldn't. Also, the rails were still damaged.

And then, captain Aaron and his crew coming in fast from another direction, this time using the electric batteries and sound insulation technologies to hide from sonar. And even if the enemy detected them from sonar, they could also use the sonar blinding countermeasures.

Priority message.
To: Weccanfeld.

Latest intel shows that the road to Bedford is heavily guarded. We advise extreme caution.

Alberta Kinkard.

OOC: I'm setting up the two camps for the bloodiest encounter yet. Both want to take advantage of recent developments and both are going to pay for that.

Before he could send some of this information to TS command, he was cut off. "What the..."

Then the doors opened, and the soldiers began firing. The counter-burst was furious, and at the end of the exchange only 4 of the squad were still living, crouched behind a corner.

The squad had not been too kind to the agressors: one was nailed to the wall by a steel dart, and was still swaying. The door was open. yet as the squad entered the bunker, the door closed, and 20 more soldiers pounced on them.

The squad knew the best thing would be to surrender, so dropped all their visible weapons.

=====

The Ultimatum was still, its engines inactive. It knew where the CA subs were, and had finally decided to the deploy the weapon. From the gun at the rear of the ship was fired a projectile over the last co-ordinates. It exploded in mid air, and each single HE projectile sunk before exploding at various depths. This would put off attackers.

=====

Meanwhile, the rest fo the fleet were making back to mainland Alfegos for repairs. The Firestorm had spotted a fast closing group of gunboats 30 miles. When no reply came from standard messages, she decided to open up, with everything. As well as the solid tungsten rods that began to fire, two exocet missiles were let off, to target anything larger nearby.

The mother of all battles was about to begin.

=====

At the base, the missiles hit home. The massive walls stood a better chance than the equipment, but still they were breeched. In the bunker, there were yells as part collapsed, and outside was explsoions as the fortified guns exploded.

After the barrage, 722 men were dead, and another 512 were wounded out of the total of 4000 men. Outside, most fo the equipment was destroyed, and the 40 LY4s were in a very bad state, some of them destroyed.

The engineers hastily began to patch up the walls, before any counter-attack was mounted.

=====

The Anaconda commander knew he had broken many treaties, and disobeyed his superiors. Yet he had destroyed 6 enemy ships, loaded with supplies. His masters needn't know they were neutral.

=====

The subs Boa and Python had picked up unusual fleet activites, and began to close in on what appeared to be a large battlegroup.

=====

The commander ordered that the shooting stop at the gunboats: the escorts could take them. Instead, he ordered that they target a larger group, about 50 miles away, well within the range of the railguns. Then they let rip.

=====

The unit were led towards the centre of the bunker, to meet the CA leaders. They wondered if they would be tortured. But the enemy wouldn't go as low as that...

The captain of the pack of Fast Attack Craft smiled as he quickly finished his sums in his head. According to him, it would take five miniutes before he could fire back with the guns, and 15 before he could let loose the torpedoes. With eight boats, each carrying two torpedoes, the ship would go down by the end of today, almost certainly. As for the enemy fire, it would be hard to get a lock on eight boats speeding along at forty five knots, with captains who had been trained in evasion, while they are firing at you. The shells may only be five inchers, but they should leave their mark.

The first rods started to impact the sea around them. Large splashes at first, as his watch passed one miniute. Then, one of the less able captains recieved a rod in the middle of the ship. The heat set the engine on fire, and a split second after that, it exploded. The ship had probably gone down with all hands. Another landed quite close, causing his ship to rock heavily, but he survived

As the first barrage began to die away, he recieved a report from one of the boats, saying that missiles had been fired. He gave the order to fire the anti missile missiles. They were tiny missiles, that sacrificed payload for speed. And as far as he knew, it didn't take much for a missile to be thrown off course. Four of these missile were launched, and they sped off to their targets, as the tungsten rods were replaced by standard shells. The ships had got their act together now, and were utilising all sorts of fancy turns to confuse the spotters. If missiles were fired, he'd be in slightly more trouble, but anti missile devices existed, namely the aforementioned AMMs, and heavy machine guns.

More projectiles landed close. Another ship was hit, causing a large fire ball to erupt. But as his watch' timer reached five miniutes, he gave the order to start firing back at the escorts. He thought of the headlines in the newpapers tomorrow - 'Yet another Capital Ship downed by brave soldiers!'. Then he thought of their headline, and wondered what their populace and media was like.

He felt the boat rock again, and a piece of sharpnel smashed through the window and hit him in the arm. He cried out in pain, and picked up a knife. He told himself it was all worth it over and over again as he picked out the scalding hot piece of metal, and picked up the first aid kit, seeing his watch at the same time.

It had just passed seven miniutes thirty seconds.

* * *

Unfortunally for the Weccanfelt Naval service, not everyone was succeding. With CA subs being attacked by depth charges, it may seem that a tandem attack may be impossible. Aaron hoped for good news as the subs neared, as quiet and undetectable as they could be.

* * *

On a small island far away, in a room full of men, a heated discussion was taking place.

The man at the end of the table sat bored as the Field Marshall of the Military, Science Minister and Industry Minister argued over the Alfergian threat, things to do on Alestra after the war, and reverse engerneering.

Personally, he found the Alfergian technology inefficent, Alestra would make a good place to base aeroplanes and boats, and the coolant was the most important part of a railgun, and that could be used in all sorts of applications, but the railgun itself would find limited use in Weccanfeld.

"Sir, Sir?"

"What, sorry, yes"

"Sir, I'm seeking permission to send in more ships. Mostly FACs, but destroyers as well. We're going to take the husk, no matter what."

"Very well. And get a aerial presense. We don't want them sending more ships."

* * *

On the Weccanfelt mainland, a airport was pumping out Fighter Bombers like there was no tomorrow, and a naval was sending out six squads of Torpedo boats, which added up to 28 boats. The boats would most probably not be there in time for the main battle. They were meant to clear up after the battle was finished. As for the fighter bombers, they would make sure the Firestorm would stay down.

* * *

In the main battlegroup, multiple sensors were showing that two submarines were closing in. Not wanting to take any risks, the destroyers fired two anti submarine rockets to address this threat, and requested some help from the aeroplanes that had recently been launched.

OOC: I would have a representitive or two in the CA base, I reckon. Just to let you know.

The squad neared the entrance to the conference room, the guards pressing their guns in their backs. Luckily, they hadn't found the sergeants concealed pack of HMX, moulded into the shape of his forearm. If he needed, he could try and detonate it, killing the leader of the CA. But how?

=====

The ship had only got a few hits on the incoming gunboats, but now they were within range of the 6 conventional 5 incher guns. They would have to try and get the ships before thy could loose the torpedos.

Suddenly, the ship felt the impact of the Gunboat's shells. 2 missed, 3 hit the heavily armoured torpedo belt, doing little damage, but one hit a capacitor bank.

There was a massive explosion as the bank burst, showering a gun crew with acid. There were screams that stopped only when the medics injected Morphine into them, stopping their pain so they could be rushed to the medical facility.

The approaching ships though were about to feel the full danger of a rail ship. The remaining working guns were in range to use the laser designators: locked on, they would be able to sink a gunboat easily. That in combination with the 6 5 -inchers...

Then another shell hit the deck, and blew up the shell cache. The resulting explosion destroyed the forward hold. That was most of the food gone, and the 5 incher ammunition. They only had 12 shots...

=====

The men struggled out of the wreckage of the missile strike. Around them, the camp was burning. Once the fires were out, they would start moving. Straight for an encounter with the 2nd army. This time they would pull out all the stops.

=====

At the Airbases at Alfegos, the crews scrambled to their bombers: the high altitude thermosphere bombers with payloads each of 20 tons of HE bombs.
These would definately make a dent in the terrains, especially when dropped from a height of 72 000 feet. The fighters would make sure that nothing opposed them.

=====

Across Alfegos, 24 long - range black napalm cruise missiles broke from various storage facilities: silos, submarines, train carriages, trucks and a transport plane en - route to the island with supplies.

These all had one target: the CA 2nd army closing in on Rosser.

The fighters had a lock on the enemy fleet and the apporaching planes. 9 split off and headed at mach 2 to the edge of space for their massive attack on the enemy aircraft, while the other 8 activated thier SCRAMJETs as they came hurtling downwards on the enemy gunboats, fring the GAU - 1 cannons in their noses. There was little chance of sinking a gunboat, but a good chance of getting a few lucky hits, enough to scare them away.

OOC: Hmm, would you be able to lock on to moving target from twelve kilometres away, never mind twenty one, though? I also think Scramjets are more PMT. I may be wrong, but I don't think it's wise to use superfast planes for surface attack anyway. Enlighten me if I'm wrong.

Colonial Alliance. Headquarters.

As the enemy commando was escorted in front of him, or so they would be lead to think, Alexander Mackenzie slowly organized his thoughts. If he was lucky they were soldiers of The Principality, a valid excuse for several actions his nation planned to take and proof that The Principality was not upholding the treaty. But he already knew that chances of that were slim.

Finally the enemy commando entered his office.

"Ah, gentlemen how nice of you to visit. Now before you think about doing anything heroic and such, please be aware that the ones you killed so far and the soldiers surrounding you now are natives of Alestra. Amusing enough it's not hard to conviunce a man to fight when you hold his family hostage. Now, I believe you were preparing for a confession?"
---

Open Sea. Unknown Submarine Group.

Orders were orders. That was what the sailors had imbebed in their head since they first joined the navy, yet now orders were making them twist their face in anger. The entire battle group was ordered to retreat, even though they had more than enough missiles for another strike.

They knew that there was another group lurking and waiting for an opportunity, but it felt like a defeat to retreat just because a large task force appeared out of thin air. A defeat!

Yet there are reasons why commanders are commanders and sailor are sailors. The ones in charge knew that if The Principality, who owned that ships without a doubt, found the vessels in these waters there would be no mercy. Beyond that he wasn't too keen on providing them with the much needed excuse.
---

CA Submarine.

The threat comming from above was worth noting. Not willing to risk it, the captain was laying low and waited for his chance, a chance he knew would come for him. Just one perfect depth charge that would mask the launch of his assortment of torpedoes.

---

OOC: The Second CA army isn't exactly heading towards Roser and so far they haven't started the offensive so pulling out the big guns isn't very justified. Also a hint, since I'm RPing the CA a lot lately, there's a few big mean looking Principality battlegroups in the area. They can't interfere directly but...

The leader of Unit Alpha 10 stood in front of the man who had just spoken. He gathered his thoughts and spoke to him.
" I wasn't going to try any heroics, sir, seeing as you appear to have all my weapons. And don't worry, I'm not from the principality of Damirez. I'm from Alfegos. And I would like to know what is going to happen to us survivors. I gather quite a few of your men would like us shot for sticking all those little "presents" on the walls in the bunker."

He smiled to himself as he recalled the explosion when one of the guards had opened the toilet door. There weren't many guards who were going to use that loo again, literally, as the bomb had been planted far down in the waste pipe.

He waited for the response of the unsmiling CA rep,

=====

The 25 LY4 s were advancing across country to where they though the second army was. The battle plans that had been sent had shown them moving through these woods. The second group of Alfegos armed vehicles however were cruising along the roads to Langley at high speed. The Strykers were accompanying them, with all the troops ready for action. The forces at the Alfegos base had raised the white flag: medical personel only.

Less known was the stolen train coming at high speed towards Langley station, laden with high explosives, and not a single person on board: the controls had been destroyed and over-ridden.

=====

The fighters came in low for their attack. But suddenly, the SCRAMJETs gave out: they had never been tested like this and now the lack of testing showed: the air-craft de-accelerated quickly, the G-forces blacking out one pilot causing him to crash headlong into the sea. The pilot had auto-ejected, and was just awaiting rescue from an incoming gunboat.

The remaining 7 were low, and now let rip with the cannons.

=====

The Firestorm gunners began to let rip with the railguns. They just hoped the laser designators from the lauch lying low in the waves were correct. They hopefully were: a miss could take the lauch out.

Soon, if they didn't hold off the incoming ships, they would have to abandon though: the rails were stretched to their limits, and the men firing the guns would find it impossible soon to do their job if they didn't get a rest: the heatsinks were radiating masses of heat, and the nano-particles in the coolant could spontaneously break down at any moment: they would be hell to replace.

=====

The Ultimatum let loose another sonar bomb. The subs were a bit nearer. The captain was nervous now: if a torpedo came thier way, they would be screwed, and he had only just realised that the bulkhead doors between sectors 10 and 13 were jammed open.

To add to his worries, there was almost no defence against torpedos. Unless...

*Colonial Alliance. Headquarters.*

He tried to keep it in, he really tried, but as the enemy commando looked at him he just couldn't help it and started laughing.

"Did you actually thought your actions went unnoticed? Or that I would send my troops after you. All the soldiers you so gloriously killed were native civilians, a commodity which we unfortunately still have in large numbers. Regardless of that matter, you are going to have a long and nice stay at one of our prisons after you reveal all the information you posses to us.

---

Colonial Alliance. Random City

"What the heck?" one of the rail road workers swore. "Chief, there's a train on the lines!"

"What!?" the chief answered, spluttering the cup of coffee he had in his hands all over his office. "There's a passenger train going that way! Stop that train!"

"I tried, it just doesn't seem to answer at any of my commands."

"Bloody hell! Bring it on a dead line, I can't have my career blemished by a train accident now!"

"Yes sir."

And with that the unknown train was pulled on a dead line, but it gave no signs of slowing down.

---

OOC: Alfegos, nano-particles? Isn't that a bit too PMT?

OOC: Its simple: inject nano-particles into the liquid to increase the surface area, thus allowing more heat to be absorbed. And the nano - particles aren't too PMT. They have current applications: e.g on windows to change the surface properties. This system is much simpler, and allow the railgun to fire without overheating rapidly. (Weccanfield, you can only find out this if, by fate, you manage to get the ship without it being destroyed).

Also, i've shown the disadvantage of the experimental SCRAMJET :)

SIC:

The sergeant laughed. "You sent your civilians on suicide missions? Unbelievable! And after all that about TS attacking civilians! If this gets out, you will have hell to pay in the international community.

And about the information you want: sorry, you won't get anything from me. Bring on torture: I don't care. I will not give away vital secrets."

Saying that, he toyed with the idea of hitting the HMX on his arm hard against the wall. It might be possible to set it off that way. But he would wait.

=====

In Langley, the train continued going straight toward the barrier at the end of the track. Too late, the station master saw the smashed console and the metal cylinders scattered thorughout the train.

The train hurtled onwards, its inevitable result destruction.

Off the coast of Alestra Wing leader Vassili Orlov and two others were on patroll with their newly equipped F35 Lightning II armed with anti-air missles and 20mm machine guns.

"Man these new aircraft are great and fresh outta the factory" thought Orlov.

Orlov looked at the newly equipped AN/APG-81 AESA-radar and spotted 7 aircraft zoom across the screen and started to slow down rapidly. They were recognised as enemy Alfegos aircraft.

"They must be the ones who had that new SCRAMJET system. All units break off and pursue contacts." Orlov ordered over the radio.

The 3 F35s changed course and gained altitude, a minute or two later they were right behind and above them. He gave the order to engage at will. The aircraft dived through the thick clouds and fired many air-air missles towards the enemy aircraft and sprayed them with machine gun fire.

The Republic of Drvarska

The fighters flying across the sea suddenly found themselves under attack. Immediately, they launched chaff out the back, and banked steeply to try and get a lock on these aggressers.

Meanwhile, the other 9 fighters circling had seen the enemy F 35s: they dived headlong from 70 000 ft, accelerating into the fray. Once in range, they let off a few sidewinder XIs, fresh from the desgin board. They wondered what these missiles might do to an enemy.

On the sea fight, 2 more fighters had been shot down. But the rest had come full circle and now had direct locks on the enemy. The pilots laucnhed the other missile in the fighter's arsenal: the missiles know officially as L01, but to the pilots as "lol". The enemy wouldn't be laughing when these hit their planes.

Orlov and his men dived in to the fighters hoping to get a kill but the chaff knocked off the air-air missles. Immediatly the radar detected incoming aircraft from behing firing missles at them. Orlov and his wingmen fired out Counter measures from the side of their aircraft and increased speed downwards steering the sidewinders off track and exploding savagely in the air. Orlov and his men dived again onto the fighters closing in fast they let off more anti air missles hoping this time they will make a kill. After firing they broke off and gained altitude rapidly.

Orlov blacked out for a few seconds and he and his men regrouped and prepared for any incoming targets.

One plane took a direct hit to the engine, causing it to explode, the ejecting pilot seemingly blown out by the explosion. The rest of the group now of 6 launched the rest of their LOL's and then inclined steeply to give chase to the enemy.

The other group of 9 had pulled up after loosing their sidewinders, and were now increasing altitude slightly faster than the F- 35s. Once they reached their ceiling of about 80 000 feet, they would circle, dive and let hell lose with the hellfire missile that each carried. This was the third of 4 missiles held in their payload. They really were not keen to let of the fourth. They had seen its effects before in training, and how it managed to avoid any counter-measures, even anti - missiles. Each only had 1, and they prayed they wouldn't have to use it.

=====

The bombers could not see the 2nd army. Where were they? Then a pilot saw them, very far away compared to the plans given. What was happening?

They let rip: the bombs fell, and on the ground, explosions could be seen. The black napalm missiles now knew where to go.

OOC: I still have some problems with fighters that can operate above the maximum ceiling. The main trouble I have is that I'm a nation that is from round abouts now, that is reluctant to devolpe what it deems inefficent. When I fight a nation that is decades from now, things get a little unbalanced. Not quite sticks and stones verses lasers, but when I throw modern jets against planes that can reach three layers of the atmosphere, the rp gets less about roleplaying and more about who has the biggest, bestest toys.

Also, this applies to everyone, we all need to play down on the Macgyverism a little.

OOC: Understood

Orlov's wingman took a direct hit from a missle the attacking fighters fired at them. His aircraft began to shake rapidly and loose control. He ejected at the last minute before his plane crashed into the sea and exploded.

"Damn it! Lets get this over with and get outta here!" ordered Orlov.

His other wingman and himself took close hits from exploding missles. Both their aircraft were damaged jamming their machine guns. They both let loose all the remaining anti air missles in the direction of the fighters hoping some will lock on and do their work. They steered out of the way of the missle fire and gained full speed of mach 2 and retreated back to Drvarskan airspace.

OOC: Thats alright Weccanfield, I dont have much of an airforce but this is the best I can do.

The fighters regrouped and counted their losses: of the original 17, there were surpisingly only 12. The commander hadn't seen them shot down. Then he guessed what had happened: the fighters had gone way too high.

Then a missile came out of the blue and hit him. He had time to eject as the missile took out the entire left wing.

=====

The tender had picked up most of the ejected pilots: the next target was obviously the enemies. But they were to be treated fairly. Unlike some nations, the pilots would be sent back to their homeland. After questioning.

Vassili Sokolov struggled out of his harness as it floated on the water. The freezing temperature made him realise the rescue chopper wont make it in time. He realised a small boat nearby, he started to swim over to it with his M9 Beretta in one hand.

Looking down into the water, the tender captain saw one of the enemy swimming towards them. He called out to him:

"This is an Alfegos rescue boat. We are willing to pick you up. I know you wish us to, as the water is bloody freezing!"

The guard reached down and grabbed his hand. He then hauled back onto the boat.

"Get him some warm clothes!"

=====

The fighters remaining cruised in to land at Bedford. They needed a bit of reapir: many were perforated by gun fire. The pilots were quickly out and to the military base. Sooner they were debriefed, the sooner they would be getting changed and drinking something decent. There was a small fridge filled with coke in the pilots lounge.

Then they would have to elect a temporary wing commander.

Vassili dropped his M9 in the water because he realised the armed guards were too strong for him. They gave him warm clothes and he sat down, he turned around to the enemy pilots.

"Which one of you comrades shoot me down heh?"

-----------

Orlov and his remaining wingman touched down at a Drvarskan airfield and sent their planes for repair. A general came up to him with a frown realising only two of their aircraft returned.

"We lost Vassili, he is captured." Reported Orlov.
Vassili was the Joker of the group and they will miss him.

"I did" said the pilot siting in the corner, sipping some hot choclate. He looked at the enemy pilot.
"I think you shot me down as well. How about that, eh?"
The tender was headed towards the final resuce beacon from the ejected Alfegos pilots. After that, they would have a quick sweep of the area then return back to Lancaster.
A sailor walked over to the enemy pilot.
"Cocoa?"

"Pasieba! (thank you)" Vassili said taking the cocoa and sipping it slowly. He turned to the pilot that they both shot eachother down.
"Meh we now even eh?" He told him.
He heard some of the other pilots giggle.

"You very good pilots no? You make us very busy up there." he said with a smile on his face.

He realised his enemy was not the bad people he thought they were going to be. He looked out and saw that they were approaching land.

Upon the news of air skirmishes, 9 APAAF F-22's took off to protect the Alversian troops in Rosser, where the fighting had died down recently, and supply lines. The Paratroops needed supplies and they were supposed to protect them.

" Sorry, but we aren't there yet folks!" said the captain above the roar of the engine.
"We're going to follow the coast round to Lancaster. Until then, we're gonna have to wait. Make yourselves at home"

"Well, what's your name, Drvarskan?" said the pilot whose SCRAMJET had cut out so dramatically. " We'll only have this chance, because you'll likely be taken in for questioning when we get back."

"My name is Vassili, I come from town of Koprovnika in Drvarska. Where you come from?" Vassili answered.

He knew not to give the enemy any information except a few minor personal details.

========
OOC: Alversia, I have attacked your forces most recently in Roser. I have recieved many casualties. What has happened to your forces? Please look back on posts.

Roser

The Alversians were quick and fired back onto the Drvarskan troops trying to flank them. Captain Volkov of the 1st Airborne Battalion led his men into the hot zone loosing many soldiers from machine gun fire. They all managed to take some land but it is now house-house fighting.

"I'm Will, and that guy you shot down is called Joe. I'm from Old Zevkhay, he's from Milkavh. How long have you been flying Vassili? We've both been flying for 12 years, since we were in the whiteswords."

The captain looked at his map. They were nearly at Lancaster. Then he heard the reply that he wanted over the radio in the cabin

"Make birth at the Alfegos pier, position 2 F. We'll take him from there."

Vassili began to feel worried as he overheard the captain say they were going to Alfegos.

"I..I was in Air force for 6 years. What is your land like?" Vassili said as he felt the motion of the boat change course.


A reconassance plane was flying slowly near the coast of Alestra. It decended to 150 ft. to get a clear view of any naval activity. There was a lone boat cruising away from Lancaster. Sgt.Mikich got his co-pilot to get out the camera and dive down towards the lone boat to grab a few pictures. They decended slowly and dived towards it, the co-pilot opened the canopy window and peered out of it with his camera excited.

The plane came swooping down low. Too low.
"It's some sort of observation plane. Get the Drvarskan below decks, and lets see what they feel like when we give them some lead!"

The sailors on board grapped their AF 01N assault rifles and let rip on burst automatic at the plane. At the stern of the ship, the BOFORS was manned, and let rip at the plane.

In the bridge, the captain called for some backup. They mustn't find out the location the captured pilot was headed. And if the F 35s found the carrier...

"No!!! They are reconassance! Stop! They use no weapons!" Vassili yelled as two sailors pulled him down below deck.

Sgt.Mikich dived down and all hell broke loose. The fire of the bofors gun took out their left engine.

"Hold on!" he yelled to his co-pilot who managed to take one picture of the forward deck.

The plane pulled up recieving alot of holes in its fusalage from the assault rifle fire. The plane crashed some 2 kilometers away, what was left of it was floating on the water. Sgt.Mikich sat there at the controls and immediatly helped up his co-pilot into a rubber dingy in the back. He took out two AK-47s under his seat and piled them into the dingy. They jumped into it and got away before the plane sunk to the depths of the ocean.


Vasilli sat down and peered out a small window and saw the crash. He realised how reckless these people were shooting down an unarmed plane.

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

Radar station in Drvarska

"Sir a reconaisance plane has disappeared on the radar." said a techinical officer to General Zeitzev, Commander of Reconaissance and rescue.

"Send out an immediate search now!" Zeitzev ordered.

Two UH-60 Blackhawks took off each loaded with 4 soldiers and 2 medics and headed towards the crash sight from Drvarska. But it will take some time to get there...

OOC: Good stuff. Now, the damage...

When amazingly fast planes came down on the gunboats, they were unable to react fast enough to do any damage. A couple of HMG fire, but no missiles were fired.

Thankfully, damage had not been great. A total of eight ships had taken hits, but these were mostly repairable damage. Save for two of the boats, one that was about to explode at any miniute, the other that had exploded.

Save for some panicing raw recuits, the morale damage was not high, as it almost seemed comical when one of the ships collided with the water. But the group moved on, patching up the damage as it went.

OOC: I'll do rest later.

"From what I hear, you think we are reckless in shooting down a scout plane" said the captain to Vasilli, alone in the rear hold.
"But I think you should know that if I hadn't told them to shoot it down, you would be killed. Because I don't think that it would be easy to discriminate against you and the rest of the crew aboard the APS Dagger, do you?"

=====

On deck, the men reloaded their weapons, and quickly hid the BOFORS gun using the boxes on deck.

The second officer looked at the RADAR screen. He saw 2 dots moving towards the crash site. If they came after them, they would have quite a shock as they were opened on by the Dagger. As it was on the edge of international waters, it was mostly safe. But it was already preparing to get back to the port at New Zevkhay. 500 miles away, it would take 10 hours at top speed. But the pilot would be there earlier, courtesy of the government.

Sgt.Mikich loaded his AK-47, the dingy started to drift towards the boat from the strong ocean currants. The plane sank below the water. The co-pilot took out the film in the camera and put it in his pocket.

Vasilli listened to the captain as he explained the situation.

"Ok I understand, capitan." he said and lied down on a small bench to get some sleep after being awake all night while patrolling. He took out his wallet and got a picture of his family, he looked at it for a moment and put it in his chest pocket. He fell asleep hoping that some day he will return to his family.


The unarmed rescue blackhawks ran at full speed, they knew they would be there within two hours hoping to find any survivors. The soldiers and medics gripped onto the railing as they sped across the sea.

The captain was on deck and he saw the dinghy.
" Bring her over to them"
He could waste a few minutes. He could already see the carrier.

The sailors onboard made sure they knew where the assault rifles were, before coming about to assist them.

They're Dravarskan! Make sure we keep them with the other."

=====

Aboard the Dagger, the observation computer showed 2 blackhawks flying low across the sea. It would be 5 minutes before they could get close enough to attack. Theywere already in range of the big guns. But the captain was ready for this eventuality. He ordered the comms officer to send out the RADAR jamming pulse.

Vasilli looked out of the window and saw the dingy approach.

Sgt.Mikich and his co-pilot pretended to look wounded as the boat approached towards them. When it got to them they both immediatly drew up their AK-47s and pointed it at the soldiers on the ship. There was now a silence as both sides pointed guns at eachother. What was going to happen?

"Drop your weapons now!" Mikich said in Russian but it did not look like the sailors understood.


The two blackhawks looked at their radars but they started to fuzz and change course. The black hawks changed direction and now were heading the wrong way. The pilot thought to himself that the enemy is trying to hide something big if they were to block their radars from a rescue mission.

There was a silence, until the captain spoke to the men in the dinghy.
"It would be wise to drop your weapons and surrender. Otherwise I will give the order to fire upon the rescue team. You wouldn't want that, would you?

In the silence, a sailor hiding behind the lifeboat took aim with the AWM. He had positioned himself just right, so both enemy bodies would be in the path of the bullet. He wouldn't fire yet.

=====

Aboard the Dagger, the stern battery of Stinger Block II missiles had selected its targets. It was ready to fire.

Sgt.Mikich lowered his body slightly picking up a grenade slowly so that the soldiers dont see and pulled the pin. He did not reply to the captain. Mikich's family had alot of pride that many other Drvarskan families did and he knew to never surrender to the enemy.

Another brief silence and immediatly threw the grenade onto the deck near some crates and managed to shoot a few bursts of fire before the two men were shot.

Vasilli looked out the window in terror as two brave men would risk lives of many others just to keep their family pride. Vasilli sat down and looked at the enemy pilots.


The two Blackhawks were circling, the radar jamming did not stop and they knew it was useless and they were running low on fuel. They both turned around, the soldiers felt anger as the enemy would have killed the two survivors, if there were any.

The sailors put out the fire, then pulled the bodies and dinghy on board. They deflated it, before moving it and the bodies down into the middle hold.

The captain then powered up the engine to full, and the tender sped along the surface towards the carrier.

=====

Onboard the carrier, the missile battery went to rest. The captain then ordered them to prep the two transport jets, in readyness of their arrival. The one plane was for the pilots to go back to the mainland. The other was to take the Dravarskan to the capital.

Vasilli looked at the bodies when they were being taken down the deck. He was told that a plane was going to take him to the Alefegos capital. As he was seperated from the enemy pilots he told them.

"Next time we not blow eachother up heh?" he cheered up the mood of himself and the pilots.

Vasilli looked around as he awaited for the choppers to start up. There were lots of soldiers all looking at him. He felt very nervous and wondered how they will treat him at their capital.

------

The blackhawks touched back down at an airfield in Drvarska, General Zeitzev greeted the pilots and crew but the reports of radar jamming really annoyed him. He sent in reports to the government.

President Orlov sat there at his table in his uniform reading the reports. He called his communications officer to contact the Alfegos government:

TO: Alfegos Government
FROM: Drvarskan Government

We wish to make a peace rule for any of our prisoners to not be harmed and treated properly. In return any of your prisoners will not be harmed. May this war end soon.

President Orlov

The message was wired.

The plane was locked onto the catapult, with the Dravarskan inside. The doors slammed, and the jets came up to full power. Onboard, there was the pilot and co-pilot, as well as an armed guard and a few government officials. They were unsmiling.

The catapult activated, and the plane was hurled across the flight deck, taking off just at the end. It banked around and headed for Liberty airport, New Zevkhay. It would be there in about an hour, adn then the pilot would be taken to the ministry of War.

After that, he would be in the capital for a few days before he was taken back to his homeland.

=====

The minister of war received the telegram, and read it quickly. Then he wired one back to their government.

The prisoners were only harmed if they attempted to attack their captors. We have a prisoner, who we will return to you within a week.

He then phoned the interrogators, and asked them to prep the interrogation cell. He had a few questions to ask the Drvarskan.

=====

Vasilli sat down in the chopper near the officals. Vasilli looked at them, wondering what they are doing here. He looked out the window of the chopper at the land they are approaching to. He began to get more nervous.

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

President Orlov recieved the reply of Alfegos. His chief of intelligence walked in and saluted. Orlov saluted back.

"Sir, the Special assault team is armed and ready for operations. Shall I issue the orders?" he said.

"No, not unless it is a high ranking officer that was captured. There were only low ranking pilots downed in that area." Orlov replied.

"Very well sir. I shall keep them ready just in case."

He saluted and walked back out.

At Liberty airport, a car was waiting for the incoming chopper. There were three men, all wearing sunglasses despite the cloudy sky. One of them had a large HK P90 concealed under his jacket. They would take the captured pilot to the secure interrogation facility.

Vasilli was led to a car where the guards were standing. He thought he was in some sort of gangster movie as he saw them.

"You are Mafia heh?" Vasilli said to one of the guards.

Vasilli always was a joker with his men, even though they were the enemy he liked to cheer himself up with his own sense of humour. Vasilli looked around and saw what the land was like, the sky was quite cloudy and he only saw until the end of the runway. Perhaps he could see more of the view when traveling in the car. Vasilli also thought back on his training when in a situation like this was to give to government interorgators was name, rank and serial number. Not letting the enemy know he had in his chest pocket a small map of patroll routes for Drvarskan air force but he hope he could find a way to hide it.

The driver locked the doors, then drove them out of the airport onto the P5 Motorway towards the capital. At the moment, they were passing through the forested area on the outskirts. Soon, the massive glass skyscrapers of New Zevkhay would loom over the landscape.

There was a roar as a high-speed maglev came rushing past on the left, shuddering the car. It was enroute to the city. But they would not be going in yet.

First they would take him to the interrogation centre.

They turned off onto a side road, then onto a dirt track, for about a mile. Finally, they were at a large concrete building, hidden in the forest. There were armed guards.

The unsmiling men in the car grabbed him then pulled him out of the vehicle. He was then manhandled through the numerous passgeways inside, then underground, then finally was thrust into a cell. The door was locked.

From the outside, the two interrogation officers and the minister of Intelligence were watching him through security camera. They would be the ones interrogating him. First, they would see what he did in the first six hours. Then they would see what he knew. If he would not tell them anything, there was always the device. It was not outlawed by international convention, and would leave no traces on the victim.

A guard walked into the cell with some coffee.
"Would you like some coffee?"

"Not thanks. I not like coffee so much." Vasilli replied as he looked at the guards. He knew these people could have not been trusted. Vasilli looked around the cell, it was small but had a bed. He sat down looking at his family picture in his wallet. Vasilli then thought to pass the time he would do some exercise that every Drvarskan soldier was to do in their free time. Before he did that he saw a security camera in his room above the door, he still had that small map in his pocket. Facing the side of the camera and pretending to get down on the floor for push ups he slid the map under his matress in a small gap of a metal pole. He got onto the floor and did push ups.

"1...2...3.."

He looked at his watch now and then and the hour was almost to pass.

"Nothing seems to be amiss" said one of the interrogation officers. "Lets interrogate him now".

A guard entered the cell, and grabbed the Drvarskan, while the interrogation officers and the minister for intelligence made their way to the interrogation room. The two officers were seated inside the room when the Drvarskan pilot was bought into the room. He was left there.

"Please take a seat."said the officer on the left. He was the most unnerving of the two, with a massive gash across his face. Most of it was hidden by the darkened glasses he wore.

Outside, the minister for intelligence was sitting, watching proceedings through the two-way mirror, and listening through a microphone link.

Vasilli sat down as the man instructed. Before the interrorgators said anything. Vasilli made a statement.

"Under Genevia Convention, I give only name, rank and serial number."

He sat there hoping it will be all over soon.

" Go on then. We'll start from there. What is your name, rank and serial number?" said the interrogating officer.

The minister for intelligence was handed a copy of the geneva convention by an aide, who left quickly. He leafed through it, and saw in dismay article 17, which included that " Prisoners of war who refuse to answer may not be threatened, insulted or exposed to unpleasant or disadvantageous treatment of any kind".

Well, there would be no proof that he had been tortured with the white noise. That would be interesting to watch, waiting until he broke.

"Flight Corporal Vassili Sokolov, serial number 25725." Vasilli said looking directly at the man who was talking to him.

He did not like the looks of these guys..

"OK. Thats a good start. Now lets work on it. Do you know anything else? I'm sure you do, because you are lucky you came to us. If you were captured by the standard military, they would be sure "accidents" would happen to you. Like both your legs breaking. So I think you should tell us what you know. If not, I believe that our superiors would be happy to make you visit one of these military camps. Or make you disappear.

So what's it going to be? Are you going to tell us what you know, or are you going to not speak, and disappear? Your government doesn't know you're here. They think you drowned."

The intellignce officer was starting off light:he had many more tricks up his sleeve, some he was sure were prohibited internationally...

"I take my chances comrade. Do what you wish, I know nothin!" Vasilli said with pride.

He now gre nervous again, god how he wished he kept that M9 pistol and hyjacked the boat..

"Very well then. We are a kind people. Most of the time. We wouldn't let you get hurt. Torture is very poor, as it just gets you the answer you want, not the truth.

But we know you are lying. You can tell us quite a bit. For example, all the specifications of the aircraft you fly. Any flight paths. Where you land. Where your army is. What rumour says they're going to do. You know that. You can tell us.

If you do, we won't capture your family."

"Capture my family?" Vasilli looked at them. He couldnt hold it in but he had to laugh.

"How could you get them heh? Drvarska guarded by many people. Our F35 will slaughter you hah!" Vasilli said and spat on the floor.

He shouldnt have said that but he knew there was no possible way to kidnap his family.

========

Meanwhile in Drvarska

Soldiers of the Drvarskan army was visiting the families who had a member lost in the war. They were presented with a flag each and a small bronze star for each member they lost.

The families of those who have lost loved ones for unknown reasons are being held at an apartment complex in a military installation for questioning. Among them was Vasilli's family.