NationStates Jolt Archive

On a street in Valencia, the capital of the Empire of Hamilay, a man in black Imperial Army dress uniform stood in the street, hunched over as a futile shelter against the driving rain. He passed an electronics store window, which was the only source of light amongst the darkened houses, and stopped to look at the televisions. All a decade behind what one would find in the Federal Republic- in Hamilay proper, he corrected himself. Aptly, on the screens could be seen a decade-old sitcom to match the age of the televisions.

Of course, the televisions weren't that old, but they weren't plasma screens, and for a man who spent the first twenty years of his life in an upper-middle-class Beferen suburb, the technological capital of Hamilay, that was close enough to black and white. Suddenly, the droll sitcom program disappeared, replaced by a news studio and the logo of the Hamilayan Broadcasting Network- the red and black Imperial version. The man sighed. More of the usual propaganda.

"Citizens of the Empire! Today is a glorious day in the history of the state," proclaimed the attractive female news anchor. "It has transpired that the Emperor has survived the Republican treason, and has returned to lead our nation once again in these dark times. All rise for his Imperial Majesty, William VI, Defender of Truth.

A handsome man entered the news studio, smiled to the anchor, and sat down. "Thank you. I have only recently been able to come out of hiding, due to the infuriatingly vigilant state of the traitors. I return to..."

The man gaped. All thought of the rain was forgotten now, and he stood there, now standing rigidly straight, staring at the television. Inside the store, the proprietor and two customers were doing the same, though the man outside didn't notice.

It can't be true. It's a trick. It has to be. God, let it be a trick.

Regardless of whether it was a trick or not, this was something his superiors in the Federal Intelligence Directorate needed to know. Now. The man took a mobile phone from a pouch on his belt, and dialed the third number in the phone book.



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Official Diplomatic Statement of the Empire of Hamilay

The Hamilayan Empire is pleased to announce the opening of diplomatic relations with the world. For the information of the international community, we are the legitimate government-in-exile of Hamilay, currently ruled by the usurpers of the Federal Republic. The Republican Navy has been enforcing a blockade on our nation for the past two years, and this has taken a heavy toll of the lives and standard of living of innocent civilians. We respectfully request military and financial aid to defend our nation from Republican aggression, and invite leaders to visit the Empire to establish friendly ties.

Emperor William VI
Imperial Chancellor C. Dawson

Offical Response from the Kansiovian Government

The Government of Kansiov is willing to establish good relations with this rebuilt Nation. We are willing to Air-drop about 50 tonnes of food and medical supplies to your Nation every week. We will warn the Republican Navy to ease the blockcade, if they do not, most likely the Kansiovian Government will use military actions against them. Also please feel free to buy weapons from our storefront, and we are willing to give you 20% discount of every purchase, for this week.

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=534178

Signed,
Mr Attontov
President of Kansiov

Sayenna

The only sounds that could be heard in the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Hamilay was the hum of the air-conditioning and the ticking of the grandfather clock. The President of Hamilay stared at the woman in front of him in shock.

"You are sure of this?"

"Absolutely, Mr President," nodded the head of the Federal Intelligence Directorate, Hamilay's primary foreign intelligence service. Technically, at least in the eyes of Hamilayan government, this wasn't a FID matter, as the 'Empire' wasn't foreign soil, but the agency had assets there anyway, rather than FSD. One rare instance where practicality overcame pride in government.

"Get me that video."

"Sir, is that really-" The President cut her off.

"Get me the video. I need to see it again."

The woman sighed. "As you wish," and left the room.

Ten minutes later, she returned with the Minister for Defence and a DVD in her hand. The Minister took a seat, looking as shellshocked as the President, whilst wordlessly the Director strode over to the plasma screen in a cabinet on one side of the Presidential office's walls and inserted the disc into a player.

It was a recording from the helmet camera of a Hamilayan Special Forces trooper, the timestamp in the top right showing that it was taken in the last days of the fighting in Sayenna. The very last day, to be exact. The trooper and a dozen squad members strode up the stairs to the Presidential Palace, shooting Imperial Guards as they went. The watchers ignored this footage, and the Director leaned over again to fast forward the recording. The soldier and his squad comically rushed through the Palace's corridors, until they were at a large, steel-plated door, at which point the Director took her hand off the button.

The soldiers- there were only eight of them now- stood around, guns at the ready, whilst two planted C4 on the imposing door. One pressed a button, and a muffled bang was heard through the helmet camera's recording speakers, accompanied by smoke filling the screen. The eight soldiers swarmed through the door, to come face-to-face with a man standing behind the very desk at which the President was now sitting. The same man in the Imperial television broadcast. He was holding an MP7, which was hanging loosely by his side.

"Drop the weapon!" yelled a voice, but the man ignored it, and the MP7 began to rise. Immediately eight guns fired, and the man convulsed for several seconds under a rain of metal, then dropped limply to the floor. However, as he fell, an explosion sounded, much louder than that when the soldiers burst through the door, and the picture dissolved in static.

At this point the Director hit the EJECT button. "There you are, Mr President."

"We checked the DNA, yes?"

"What there was left. We confirmed that it was a descendant testing against the remains of the last Emperor, but we had no sample to test with William VI. We assumed that..."

"Another member of the Imperial family. A twin, perhaps, or someone who had plastic surgery. The Emperor is not that unique-looking," said the Minister of Defence.

The President was very quiet, then spoke in a small voice. "So it begins again."

"Not quite, Mr President," the Minister said smugly. "We have a contingency plan for this situation, if you recall."

The President stared down at his desk for a full minute. Then he looked up, and Minister for Defence, Bernard Whittaker, was startled at the change in his eyes and the coldness of his voice. "Very well. You have my permission to execute Operation RIGHTFUL HEIR immediately."

Valencia

The Chancellor of the Hamilayan Empire, Christopher Dawson, was happy for the first time in many months. The steady beat of the rain against the Imperial Palace's windows did nothing to change that. The greatest man in Hamilay's history had returned from the dead. How could one not be happy? For the moment, the Empire would settle for a comfortable place in the world. The Republic would get its comeuppance soon enough.

Dawson watched as a small white shape was suddenly dimly visible through the sheets of rain. Civilian airliner, was his first thought, but then two black-uniformed Guards burst through his office door.

"Sir, we have to get you out of here! Come on, to the bunker!" one screamed.

"What the-" Dawson hadn't finished his sentence before the two soldiers seized him and dragged him off down the corridor. His protests were interrupted by a dull thud, causing bits of plaster to rain down on him. Further thuds followed, some louder than others. Then a sharp and loud explosion went off, deafening him, and showering him with plaster. His protests completely ceased at this point.

Above Valencia, four hundred Tu-160 Blackjack bombers had been scrambled in the air, to support the first wave of eight thousand cruise missiles, which were now beginning to strike the first targets in the Hamilayan Empire.

Official Free Dominion of Vetaka Diplomatic Message:

To: <Open Communication>
From: Vetakan Foreign Affairs

Subject: Hamilay Situation

The Vetakan Government would like to reinforce its position on this subject and also reinforce its support for the Federal Republic of Hamilay. The Vetakan Government wishes to call upon the Empire of Hamilay to dissolve itself and join the Federal Republic of Hamilay as it is the Democratically Elected body of Hamilay.

The Vetakan Government would also like to call upon Kansiovian Government to retract its earlier comments regarding military action towards Republican Military Assets. The Vetakan Government urges the Kansiovian Government to support the democratically elected Government of Hamilay.

Vetaka currently faces war with Mer Des Ennuis thus we are unable to provide much help. However what ever can be done will be done. I offer the President of the Federal Republic whatever help I can in this situation.

Yours

Perry Cox

Acting Vice President of the Free Dominion of Vetaka

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Sumerian Office of Foreign Relations

The Dictorial Republic of Sumer would like to declare it's support for the popular and elected government of the Federal Republic of Hamilay.

The legitimate elected government of the Federal Republic of Hamilay has our full support at this time.

The Dictorial Republic of Sumer
Commanding Officer of External Affairs,
- Palil Panchito Guanikeyu

Central Command Building, New Manth

"...have only recently been able to come out of hiding..."

Saad al-Baradei waved impatiently at the television.

"Turn it off, we've seen it enough times already. The question is what do we do about it?"

"...state of the traitors..."

The screen flickered and died, and there was a moment of silence around the table as Manthian commanders considered what they had just seen. Noone seemed willing to break the silence.

"Well?" al-Baradei asked.

"While interesting, I don't see how it matters. You know what our policy was if the Federal Republic attacked the Empire..."

Omar Shamil was commander of the Mediterranean front during peacetime, and well-known for his defensive, isolationist bent. He was answered, predictably, by the hawkish Mohammed Zaki of the Denomination of the Air Force.

"Leave them to their fate? Indeed. However, it was never a good policy, and the return of the Emperor changes things drastically. I believe we should attempt to support and maintain the Empire in its present form. If we can raise the Hamilayan blockade..."

"By fighting another war? You know how the last one went. And frankly, any reason for our intervening went out the door with the Corporate government."

"In the last war, we were also hamstrung by a corrupt government at home and attack on our own shores by the Baltic scum. That will not be a problem again, as the Corporatists have been crushed and our armies are even now rolling up the Baltic mainland. Without them to distract us, we could commit fleets of ships and millions of soldiers to Hamilay."

"For what reason, Commander?" Shakil inqured, but was interrupted as Halys Reisschart spoke up.

"You have an excellent point, Mohammed. And who knows, we may be able to maintain peace by simply indicating willingness to intervene... But I do believe it is critical that some action be taken. Regardless of what government was in power at the time, the fact remains that Manthian and allied soldiers fought and died in Hamilay, and that we have held up the Empire - such as it is - as a visible proof that we did not fight in vain. We withdrew on the understanding that it would not be attacked, and if it falls now, it could turn into a propaganda disaster."

Shakil looked as if he was about to argue, but Reisschart held up a hand.

"Nevertheless, we should strive to avoid a full-scale war. What is immediately available in terms of naval forces, toops, aircraft?"

Sash Arvando, several years our of active service, answered.

"A dozen supercarriers and their escort groups are currently at dock. Most of our heavy capital and supercapital forces are around the Baltic still, but could also be easily redeployed. The fight there is all but won. And of course, there are always smaller groups that can be redeployed... In terms of air, it depends entirely on whether the Empire can maintain airstrips long enough for our Stormbringers. If they can, we could have three hundred thousand men and their equipment in the country within a day, and more every day following. If not... we will be severely hampered in that area."

"Naval first. Putting troops on the ground is a sure sign of escalation... but a large force of ships could serve as a deterrent. Send all available forces to sea - we'll be paying a visit to the Hamilayan Empire once more."

"It will be done."

"Also, have the DOC draw up an economic aid plan... and Foreign Diplomacy should release a statement. Condemn the Hamilayans for going back on their word, etc. etc."

statement, numbers, etc next post

ooc: Damn, i wish I could help imperials but my hands are currently tied in BL-Kraven conflict. Anyway, how much of Hamilayan population imperials control? And what kind of support they need etc. I probably will make IC post in evening, currently in hurry.

t/g to you, Hamilay.

OOC: You can send in commando teams and post your statements of support and all that. I don't have a problem with you sending armies, but the thing is, the Empire's military and economy have imploded, both due to the blockade and the fact that their new homeland is pretty much barren tundra. The Republic is going to swarm all over them in a couple of days, as now the Air Force and Navy are ready for the enemy. This will be a special forces RP for a bit, if anyone wants to send them, until your main forces arrive, as liberators rather than reinforcements this time. I'm going to try and develop a darker side to my Republic nation, which has so far in the NS world stuck to supporting FREEDOM and DEMOCRACY and HONOUR and FLUFFY KITTENS. Empire has a population of about ~150 million.

OOC: As I hinted at in my post, the fleet I will send is mostly for deterrent/bluffing. The Manthian economy is not geared towards or ready for another huge war right now, and should push come to shove the fleet will stand by while the Empire falls, unless something drastic happens to get them involved.

Could be a good focus for special ops though, or a place for people to flee to from your oppressive republican government (:p), similar to the American carriers as Vietnam was ending.

Kansiovian Email to Empire

The Armed forces of Kansiov will send one of its best units, the Golden Eagle Regiment to to Newly rebuilt Empire. We would request them to be dressed in Imperial Army uniforms as we don't want the World to know we are sending troops in. Our Nation believes that the newly built Empire will be stronger than the previous one.

Signed,
Mr Attontov
President of Kansiov

"Attention, attention. Hamilay is now at a state of war with the Empire. All units are cleared to fire at will on Empire warships," came the transmission over the communications systems of the ships of the Hamilayan Navy stationed in the Valencia Island region. The RHS Gauntlet was one of these, a Lord-class battleship stationed right on the crossing between Hamilayan waters and the alleged waters of the Hamilayan Empire. Captain Ryne was a seasoned veteran of Pythogria and Bastion, transferred to Gauntlet from a cruiser at Vetaka. Initially, though he appreciated the vessel, 'Empire-watch' as it was known, was a boring duty, at least compared to the all too common combat the Hamilayan navy was involved in these days. When he heard the radio message, he all but rubbed his hands with glee.

"About damn time we did something about the Imperial bastards, sir," growled his XO. "There are two now-enemy warships closing in on us from the northwest. Spruances, it looks like."

"I'll have to check it, just to be safe. This is RHS Gauntlet to command, code one-slash-bravo-niner-niner-four. Request verification of engagement orders."

"Five-three-eight-sierra-echo, Gauntlet."

"Thank you. Free-fire orders confirmed." Ryne muted the comm system. "All hands to battle stations, repeat, all hands to battle stations. Lieutenant, you may fire when ready."

The lieutenant at Gauntlet's gunnery station duly did so, the target coordinates to the two destroyers having already been diligently recorded and set in. The warship's 18-inch guns fired three times in succession, and a second later twenty antishipping missiles flew skyward from the VLS cells. The two old warships- they were indeed Spruance-class destroyers- never had a chance, both blowing up immediately, and the Gauntlet got the first confirmed kills of the war. The captain grinned and switched the comm back on.

"Ryne to command, confirm we just killed two destroyers."

"Affirmative, captain, good work. The area has been cleared for the present. Request you link up with your battle group and provide cover for landing craft crossing the strait."

A hundred LC-3 Invader-class and LC-2 Intruder-class landing craft had been waiting for this moment, although there was not much to worry about. Any enemy ships that got into the strait from now on would be hit by a rain of missile fire from ground-based launchers on the Republic's side, and regardless, even a hundred landing platforms had the ability to put up a passable defence against what the Imperial Navy could throw at them. They carried the first elements of a Marine Corps army across the strait to the Hamilayan Empire. Whilst they were heavily outnumbered, more would follow, and the landing craft could make plenty of trips, it being perhaps four hour's journey at the most between Valencia and Chernaya. Besides, they expected to meet only moderate resistance, the full force of Hamilayan air power being brought to bear on the unfortunate Empire, whose own aircraft and air defence network were scrounged together from the leavings of the Federal Republic.

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Message to All Parties

The Republic of Dweladelfia concurs with The Vetakan Government. The Empire of Hamilay must rejoin the Federal Republic of Hamilay. Hostilities must stop immediately. We give our support to the Federal Republic of Hamilay. This has gone too far. Rejoin the Federal Republic of Hamilay, or else. You have 24 hours to comply. If you do not comply elements from the Deòrsa Aindrea Carrier Strike Group will support the Federal Republic in there military operations against you.

President Avondale

Office of First Citizen, Drasgard, Olmedreca

General Ernst Tormilind, Head of Military Intelligence walked in: “Vesse, as Kraven is still far I thought that it may interest you, we just received report that Hamilayan Emperor is still alive.”

Vesse Põhjakotkas, First Citizen, was indeed interested: “Really? I thought he died, and what is situation currently anyway?”

“Well, everyone thought he died, and probably someone indeed died, but who it exactly was, is hard to know, I guess Republic is as confused as we are. Empire seems to be in hard condition, they are in rather poor territory with about 150 million people, they are under blockade, and they are obviously outgunned. Plus Republic of Hamilay is pressuring them hard at the moment.” Ernst added.

“Too bad that we were forced to leave our imperial friends after our spectacular victory at Chernaya. Then we needed to withdraw because of tensions between British Londinium and Aequatio, currently we can not deploy our forces because of incoming Londinian-Kraven conflict. Still, as far as I know we are only state who officially recognizes Empire as only legal Hamilayan state. We need to fight unorthodox campaign, I believe that Military Intelligence still has strong presence in Hamilay?”

“Indeed, then other of our forces were withdrawing, intelligence advanced in full speed, we have strong presence in Hamilay.”

“Good then I leave to you free hands, help Empire as much as you can, if we have any submarines or spy satellites in area, use them, do whatever is necessary as your resources are extremely limited, I give you full command over this campaign as I am pretty busy currently. You can also handle international contacts with our Allies. Now I need to go and discuss transporting our landforces to Londinia with General Kuldvõti, good luck.”

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

General Tormilind was indeed going to fight unorthodox campaign.
“Now what ships and sats we have in area?” he asked.

Aide fastly answered, “Two submarines and one disguised spy ship, also three submarines can reach to area fastly, about satellites, we have enough to have rather good overview and we can keep such coverage up.”

“Alright, now give me safe contact with our Hamilayan Area Intelligence commander, I believe it is still Colonel Tõnisson?”

“Yes, Colonel Tõnisson has been in area since we started our intervention during civil war, contact can be established immediately.”

Tormilind took phone:
“Hello Tõnisson, how is weather in Hamilay?”

Tõnisson answered: “Hello Tormilind. Weather sucks as usual, but from latest news I guess there are some other things that interest you?”

“Indeed, we will not abandon our imperialist friends, I want you to use network that you have established to greate effective, well organized, but still decentralized Imperialist resistance movement in Hamilay mainland, can it be done?”

“I am pretty sure that I can get something going, although can not promise any details yet.”

“Alright, you already have some people for that but still I probably will send some Defence League guerilla warfare specialists to help you, try to establish contacts with any Imperialist intelligence that is still alive in mainland and concentrate them also into this campaign. We have limited resources so we need to use everything we can. Also you will need to gather intelligence about Republican movements which are useful for our Imperialist friends. Oh, and one more thing, investigate situation, maybe you can set up some Satanistic resistance.”

“Defence League specialists? That would be nice. I will get to work immediately.”

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

After ending conversation with Colonel Tõnisson, Tormilind immediately contacted commander of Defence League, Lieutenant-General Julius Munamägi. Reason was simple Defence League had for years prepared to wage guerilla war in Olmedrecan territory in case of foreign occupation, but their specialist could be also used elsewhere. Tormilind said to phone:
“Morning Julius, I am in hurry so lets do it fastly, can you lend me some guerilla warfare specialists for using in foreign territory?”

Julius answered: “Morning Ernst, let me think for a moment… yes it is possible, you just get them in, they can fastly train effective resistance movement.”

“Perfect, I will organise the transport.”

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

As about dozen members of Defence League were prepared to move into Hamilay, all were going to use different ways, General Tormilind was also preparing to hit from other direction:

Near Castell, attack submarine A-5 located two Republics freighters, satellites had confirmed that no defences were close so commander received from Olmedreca order: “Fire at will!”, in an hour submarine had reached to attacking position and launched two torpedos, one for each vessel, as those were civilian ships it had to be enough. Immediately as torps had got on the way submarine turned around and silently left the area.

At exactly same time another attack submarine A-46 was attacking harbour of Georgia in aggressive manner. At 380 kilometers from port, six advanced Rufous anti-ship missiles were launched on Republican navy vessels in harbour, which had been located by satellites. Attack was small but its suprise nature should guarantee some success. Similarly to its brother near Castell, A-46 also immediately leaved the area, Olmedreca needed every ship in incoming conflict with Kraven so sending any reinforcements to Hamilay area was impossible. That meant that losses were intolerable.

Aims of General Tormilind’s complex campaign were simple, by weakening Republic from inside by greating resistance, and at same time greating panic in republics shipping with few unexpected submarine attacks, he could force republic in defensive and maybe even prepare ground for final imperial victory. Suddenly he realized that this operation needs name, unique name, first idea was “Divine intervention”, but then he realized that he should use something exactly opposite, second later he had the answer, with evil grin he named operation “Satanic intervention”.

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But whole operation was not only about weakening Republic, strenghtening the Empire also needed to be done. Tormilind contacted few intelligence agents that were currently in Empire’s territory and ordered them to establish safe contact with Imperial intelligence and leadership. Most likely imperials were lacking satellites, Olmedreca could solve that problem by gathering information with its own and send it to imperials, also Empire was going to receive information that numerous Olmedrecan agents in Republic had gathered about Republics movements. Olmedreca could not fight war for Imerialists, but it definitely could give them valuable support.

As everything was going as planned Tormilind decided to look around at international stage. Olmedreca could not deploy any large scale armed support into area, but maybe he can find someone who could.

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Ooc: If you have any problems with my actions like having powerful intelligence presence in Hamilay, attacking you with subs or sending guerilla warfare specialists into republic then let me know. Also I need to know about possibilities to establish strong imperialist resistance in Republic. By the way, does republic have any satanists? As I am satanistic state I thought about creating also small satanistic resitance to make picture more interesting(or from republics part, more confusing), it would fight alongside with imperialists. Also can my intelligence assassinate some importnant republic persons, I don’t mean president or commander in chief, but like some minister or general(if person is unpopular among general populance, then it is even better), if you give me some names(I dunno really what are appropriate Hamilayan names) then it would be even better.
Now about supporting empire part, can I assume that I can send some planes with some stuff and personnel to Empire safely, because if blockade is too tight then I do not have any means breaking through with force. Btw, what’s geography of area under Empire’s control?
Btw, I suggest creating separate OOC thread.

It was another dark rainy day in the Republic. Thunder rumbled off in the distance. Rain ran down a window of a suit in a small hotel in the capital city of the republic. On the TV the news reported on the latest in the Empire/Republic war.

"Earlier today 2 Republican ships were torpedoed near Castell. There are no reports on the condition of the ships. Also the harbor of Georgia came under fire from anti shipping missiles. We are unsure at this time whether these attacks were brought on by Imperial assets. We will keep you up to date with the latest."

A tall man with deep brown eyes and black hair stood up from the bed. He picked up the TV changer from the lamp stand and turned off the TV. Walking over to the closet and put on a coat he then picked up his Cell and wallet from the desk. Exiting the room making sure to close and lock the door. He then took a short walk down the hall to the lobby. The manager waved to him as he said "Have a nice day sir." The Man smiled and returned the wave. He then exited the hotel. The rain was coming down hard now. Then man ran across the street to a small cafe. Entering the café he walked over to a table in the corner. A small fire was burning in the fireplace, warming the room. A young waitress walked over and asked if he wanted anything. "One Mocha Frap." he said softly. She smiled and walked over to the counter to place his order.

A few minutes later the mans cell phone rang. He searched in his pocket and pulled it out and answered it. "Seòras." He answered promptly.

"Good evening Agent Seòras." A feminine voice said.

"Evening Jenny. Anything particular you are calling about?"

"We have a new mission for you. I'm sending you a file right now."

Agent Seòras looked at the screen of his phone. The file that was sent to him opened. In it was a picture of a man in military uniform.

"That is Colonel Tõnisson, The Olmedreca, Hamilayan Area Intelligence commander. We have been viewing a strong concentration of Olmedrecan satellites over the Republic and Empire of Hamilaya. We believe he was contacted by his superiors. We are unsure as to what he was ordered to do. That is what we need you to find out. Some money was transferred to your account to help you do this. Any questions?"

"Were Colonel Tõnisson last located?"

"We are also unsure of that that is for you to find out. Good luck Agent Seòras."

"Goodnight."

Agent Seòras hung up his cell and took a last sip of coffee. He stood up and put his coat back on and walked back over to the hotel. When he reached the hotel he walked back down the hall to his room. Unlocking the door he walked inside the cold room. He directed his attention to a oak chest and the foot of his bed. Inside were a Glock 37 and a number of magazines. Holstering the weapon in his shoulder holster and grabbing a pair of binoculars and a laptop. He closed the chest carefully. He stood up and walked over to the mirror and straightened his hair. It’s Showtime.

OOC: If you have a questions or concerns just let me know.

Official Imperial Response

The Imperial Government recognizes the legitimate imperial government of Hamilay and stands ready to offer its assistance both financially and militarily if necessary. The Imperial Government also offers to take in the legitimate but exiled government giving them a section of land in the province of Ruckinia..and a seat in the Imperial Senate. We extend this offer in hopes of avoiding the bloodshed which erupted only years ago.

Signed,
Tharo Sinakus,
Crowned Emperor of the Imperial Kingdom of Gataway

SIC:

Transmission to William VI
Encryption level-Omega Prime
Decryption code:########
Verification Sequence-Bravo

It is my hope that we may stand united and crush the republic as we were so close to previously doing. While currently I am unable to send in ground forces I have arranged for shipments of supplies to be smuggled into Hamilay in order to assist you and your forces. I hope you will accept this offer

Tharo Sinakus

SIC:
Point Zeta Military base

The deafening roar of C-17's and C-5's engines blared out across the base...some of the aircraft had been there at the first Hamilay conflict...deploying troops. This time however the government was not about to send in Imperial Forces to die for Hamilayian forces, instead while pushing for a peaceful resolution politically and publicly secretly the empire would assist in the hopeful fall of the republic.

Millions of rounds of almost every type of ammunition from 9mm to AT rockets were being loaded into the whale sized aircraft along with thousands of pounds of food and weapons weapons to fire off all the ordnance.

In order to ensure the planes were not stopped by any foreign powers it was mad public that medical supplies and food were being flown in in the event of a major conflict..while food would be given to both sides especially in front of new crews..secretly the Imperial Kingdom would be arming and supplying their Imperial brethren.

All to do now was to wait for the orders to go ahead

Message From
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The State Department of the Chevrokian Republic

At this time, the Chevrokian Republic is not willing to extend recognition to the so-called "Empire of Hamilay," as we still recognize the Federal Republic as the legitimate government representing the state of Hamilay.

Furthermore, the suffering of civilians under the Empire's administration as a result of the Republican blockade would not be necessary if it weren't for the Empire's resistance towards finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.


Signed,

Tony Grisham
Chevrokian Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Hamilay

bump?

Vetakan Government to Infuse 1 Trillion USD into Hamilay Republic

Page 2 of New Theeb Echo

In a widely anticipated move the Vetakan Senate today approved Senate bill 369 by a majority of 385 to 15 with the 15 against coming from Senators that where unable to attend the vote due to the Mer Des Ennuis Crisis. Acting President Daniel Pearce confirmed the funds where being released to the Republic of Hamilay in response to the growing Hamilay Political Crisis Situation. Pearce went on to say: "If the Vetakan Nation was not about to dance a war dance with Mer De Noms and its Allies Vetaka would offer Military Support to its Hamilay Ally. The Vetakan Government will always support the Democratically Elected State of Hamilay in its actions. The Vetakan Government calls upon all nations to support the Hamilay Peoples Choice".

The Vetakan Foreign Office went on to confirm that it had begun the process of applying for UFAN Funds to be infused into the republic to support their actions against the Empire.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, everyone. My damn internet has died on me, and I'm not sure when I can get it fixed. I may not be around for about a week at worst. Apologies.

OOC: Sorry for the delay, everyone. My damn internet has died on me, and I'm not sure when I can get it fixed. I may not be around for about a week at worst. Apologies.

OOC: Its ok. Just get to it when u can.

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Official Statement of the Federal Republic of Hamilay

The Federal Republic of Hamilay gives our thanks to the nations who have supported us in our fight against the resurgence of totalitarianism in Northern Hamilay. The Vetakan government's funds in particular are gratefully accepted. However, such money is not necessary for the current conflict, which we expect to resolve with minimal losses due to our military superiority, but it would be churlish of us to turn down such a generous gift, and as such, we will accept amounts of this aid in moderate increments until the situation is resolved. The UFAN fund is much better spent on the defence of Vetaka from Mer des Ennuis.

We wish to make it known to the international community that Valencia Island is lawful territory of the Federal Republic of Hamilay which was forcibly seized by forces of the defunct Imperial faction in the Civil War. It is therefore classified as a semi-autonomous state of the Federal Republic, and due to this, we have a sovereign right to take action, within reason, within our own borders to quell civil dissent and unrest. The Hamilayan Military is presently undertaking police actions in Valencia state to prevent an attempted revival of the hostile, dictatorial imperialist insurgency of some years back, whose survival would have grave consequences to the well-being of the Hamilayan populace and the international community as a whole, due to the predicted belligerence of said insurgency. To reiterate, the current action in Valencia is a sovereign right of the Federal Republic in the interests of protecting civil and national security, and any nations who attempt to subvert this right will not be allowed to do so.

OOC: Sorry; not back yet, internet is still on the blink, but posting from another computer as I don't have much to do.

OOC: My net is finally back, in a fashion- the ISP, lazy bastards, still haven't got around to fixing the home internet, but now I have a wireless card for my laptop.

IC:

155mm shells splashed into the water around the hundred LCACs of the 68th Marine Division, as the hovercraft moved towards a long stretch of beach ten kilometres west of Valencia. Along the approaching shoreline, flashes of light were visible from where the guns of Hamilayan warships were pounding the old coastal defences.

"Major, how are the Marines faring?" Aboard RHS Dauntless, one of the brand new Questarian Nagato-class dreadnoughts, Fleet Admiral Courtland tapped the display showing the numerous landing craft moving towards the coast with interest.

"Sir, we've taken light casualties from enemy artillery batteries. Request that you release the 48-Bs." The major was the Marines liaison to the naval theatre command, and Courtland noted his voice was laced with irritation, probably a combination of being tasked to this boring station and watching the Marines fight and die whilst the Navy sat around. Well, something would happen now.

"You know I don't have authority to do that directly, that's the Air Force's job, although I can override them. I'll talk to them now."

Eight minutes later, fifty of the new FH-48/B Peregrine stealth strike aircraft flew quietly over the Marine landing craft, eight of which had been hit by shells and were now smoking wrecks, towards the locations which had been pinpointed for them, containing two batteries of PzH 2000s. There were no fighters in the area available to counter them, and the attackers had a clear shot on the artillery positions. Two hundred guided missiles and bombs fell upon the enemy, leaving two batteries of howitzers destroyed in their wake, and the stealth fighters turned and headed back across the strait to Hamilay before those Gladiator systems could scramble, although it was unlikely they could be tracked.

Sayenna

"Status report," snapped the President.

"Mr President, air superiority appears to be achieved. A division is now landing on the south coast, with more to follow, and are meeting only minor resistance. Everything is going as planned, except..."

"Except?" the President repeated shortly.

The Minister of Defence sighed. "Except three things; two civilian freighters have been torpedoed northwest of Castell, an enemy submarine has attacked Georgia harbour. We have one destroyer sunk, and the RHS Stormbringer has been badly crippled. Third, the Gatawans have issued a statement of support for the Empire, and supply flights are now entering, ostenibly to provide 'humanitarian aid'. I am sceptical."

"Who attacked our ships?"

"Not sure, but logically, it would be one of the previous participants in the civil war. That makes these subs most likely Shakal, Manth, Olmedrecan or Gatawan, as you know."

"I want everything done to track these attackers, and see if we can't kill some next time they attempt a raid. Why the hell wasn't Georgia harbour on combat alert?"

"I am investigating that presently. Also, antisub patrols and naval patrols in general will be stepped up, and no ships are going in or out of our waters without an escort."

"Now, the Gatawans, Minister. Yes, somehow I doubt that those planes are carrying humanitarian aid. They will be landing to the northwest?"

The Defence Minister nodded. "Most likely. Most of the civilian population has been evacuated there, and the south is too dangerous for neutral aircraft anyway. What do you have in mind?"

"We can shoot down those planes if they venture to the south and pass it off as them being regrettably in the line of fire. I suggest you send a few divisions around the west coast and seize whatever airfields there are. With this done, we can monitor those aid supplies to see that nothing suspicious is getting through. Of course, as long as they aren't carrying weapons, we'll be perfectly happy to let Gatawan aid flights continue, because of our respect for the wellbeing of civilians and all that." The President chuckled softly.

"A good plan," said the Minister, keeping his straight face. "I'll see what can be done about that immediately."

OOC: Net is fully fixed now, no thanks to the ISP.

IC:

A RQ-4 Global Hawk drone hovered at its maximum service ceiling, 20,000 metres up, over the highways to the west of Valencia. The bitter weather of Northern Hamilay had kicked in, and rain as well as some light snow obscured their fields of vision, but for all that, it was easy to see that there was something, or, to be more accurate, many things, below. As the controller sitting aboard the Hamilayan warships now off the coast lowered Drone Foxtrot-Eight, more visible shapes came into view. The drone's controller cursed loudly when he saw these shapes, causing his superior to stride over.

"What's the matter, Saunders?"

"Ma'am, this is the matter." He tapped the screen, which the officer, Colonel Hall, peered at. She echoed his curse when she realised what she was looking at; tanks. Many tanks.

"How many, you think?"

"Ma'am, I'd say several hundred. Maybe three or four divisions' worth, and there must be backup infantry and mech divisions we can't see. I'll take it in for a closer- shit!" A red warning light lit up and an alarm sounded. "Missile lock!" The drone's pilot pulled back on a joystick, causing it to bank hard right, but to no avail, as a sharp snap was heard and the picture dissolved into static as a SA-12 missile permanently ended F-8's operation.

"Don't worry. You did well, Saunders. I've got to call this in right away."

The 68th Marine Division had one of the easiest combat landings against enemy forces for a long time, overwhelming the coastal defences, which were already in ruins by the time they arrived from warships' guns, and proceeded to set up a forward base of operations. The division commander, Lieutenant-General Faulkner, was pleased with the success of his operation with minimal casualties, but that was soon to end.

"Yes, speaking. Yes, yes. Ah, the counterattack. Well... how many? Seven, eight divisions? Damn. All right. Imminent enemy counterattack from the east, with approximately eight divisions, three armoured, although strength still unclear. Copy that. Faulkner out."

The Lieutenant-General slammed the radio headset to the table, walked off muttering to himself, and called to a nearby aide. "Major! Spread the word. Significant enemy counterattack is approaching on our position from the east. Move the last of our equipment up from the beach, pronto, and get those trenches finished equally pronto. Get me Command."

"Yessir." The major tapped a few buttons. "I have command on the line, sir."

"This is Lieutenant-General Faulkner, 68th Marines. I need air support to deal with approaching enemy forces. ETA on reinforcements?"

"Reinforcements are arriving steadily, General. Expect 102nd up there in thirty minutes, plus the 89th in sixty. As you know, this is the primary landing zone, so you'll get all we have. Gunships are on the way. SAMs are in the area, so no air strikes on the columns before they reach your position. Sorry about that. Good luck."

"Copy that. Faulkner out. Major, we need to slow them down, and without aircraft, we'll have to do it. Send those missile teams out, here, here and here..."

As the lead T-90 of the 50th Guards Armoured Division rolled down the highway, it was difficult to see much save the road in the driving rain, although there was only sparse vegetation cover. Suddenly, the white lance of an AT-18 Halberd wire-guided missile shot out from off to the right, smashing into the vehicle's side armour and destroying it instantly.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/HamilayEmpire.gif


Official Statement of the Empire of Hamilay

The Hamilayan Empire formally requests aid from the international community. We wish to put the bloodshed of the Hamilayan Civil War behind us and allow the two nations of the Hamilayan Empire and Federal Republic to coexist. However, against all international morality, the Federal Republic has now launched a war of aggression against the Hamilayan Empire, without provocation. Imperial civilians are being evacuated, but Republican bombing raids and missile strikes upon densely populated built-up areas have caused heavy civilian casualties.

The Republic speaks of human rights and freedom for all peoples; they should look to their own borders. Whilst the Federal Republic is happy to support foreign peoples in their respective quests for self-determination, their hypocrisy towards Hamilayans is astounding. Although the executive leadership of the Hamilayan Empire may not be elected by popular vote, Imperial citizens have full rights to vote for the Imperial Assembly as well as local governments. The Empire is a state formed by the will of the people, as much as the Republic wishes to claim otherwise. The Republican naval blockade is also a point that should be made here. This does nothing except bring ruin to the civilian population of the Empire, and, by making travel between our nations near-impossible, is again contradictory to any values of self-determination the Republic purports to hold.

The Federal Republic of Hamilay has engaged in a war of aggression against a legitimate sovereign state, seeking the forcible reintegration of the Imperial nation into the Republic's hegemony. Surprisingly, nations such as the 'Free' Dominion of Vetaka, who supposedly respect human rights and international law, have voiced their support for this crime.

The Hamilayan Empire appeals to a greater power than UFAN lackeys of the Republic; the belief that a sense of justice with some nations in this world will prevail. Once more, we request military aid from the international community to drive out the invaders.

William VI
Emperor of the Hamilayan Empire, Defender of Truth

Chernaya, Hamilay

Colonel Herman Tõnisson was not wearing military uniform currently, he had not weared it since going underground in Hamilay, also he had grown beard. Ordinary measures, during war he had been in General Puskar’s HQ and several times met with Imperialist officers, something somewhere may have leaked. Risks neede to be minimized. Military intelligence did not allow any laziness in such matters.

About 35 years ago Olmedreca had civilian intelligence organization Olmedreca Intelligence Agency (Olmedreca Luureagentuur - OLA). OLA suffered several failures and finally fell into large scandal due high level corruption which had resulted incompetent people taking importnant positions. Supreme War Council wanted radical changes and that time leader of military intelligence, General Rahumägi, was ready to do the job.

Whole OLA was purged, majority of its leadership were declared traitors and executed, many other employers shared that fate. Rahumägi burned out everything what he considered unfit, the rest were merged into Military Intelligence (Olmedreca Sõjaväeluure – OSL). It dealt enormous blow to Olmedreca’s intelligence but during that time of isolation it was not so big problem and it payed off later. Rahumägi built on Military Intelligence new agressive organization, current head Ernst Tormilind had continued his aggressive ways. By now it had became lot more powerful and efficient then OLA ever was. Military Intelligence had effectively became separate branch of Armed Forces and its high officers were as influential as importnant generals and admirals from army and navy.

Colonel Tõnisson looked on computer screen message that had just arrived:

Encryption: 5468GF5
Safety code: 776YY
Security level: Top Secret
From: Tormilind
To: Colonel Tõnisson. A.I.Õ.

There may be a leak. Our satellites have caught unneccessary attention. Decentralize and proceed. Packages are on their way, prepare welcome, we handle details.

“Interesting” he thougth, game is starting to speed up.

Tõnisson entered to communications room in Olmedrecan Military Intelligence Chernaya hideout:

“Gentlemen, from now on we are in full war situation, send command “Crush the diamond” to all regional commands, it is time to decentralize our network, war is coming and we will start preparations for setting this land to fire. Also inform them that they will get pancakes from grandmother.”

“Any details about arrival of pancakes?”

“No, these will be sent directly from Olmedreca to those who need to know. Also start operation Black Paper. I will leave now, my train to Sayenna leaves in an hour, good luck.”

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

As Colonel Tõnisson went on train his operatives started operation Black Paper. Military Intelligence had put serious effort into finding controversial facts from the past of importnant Republic of Hamilay politicians and military commanders. Especially they kept eye on things like corruption and possible warcrimes during civil war. Now arrived time to start leaking such things to media.

Of course leak needed to be done properly. Preparing information meant adding some extra facts, which would not prove anything, but would rise some serious doubts about people who could not be attacked with certain facts. That would make it possible to drag into scandal importnant leaders who themselfly were not guilty. That way even highest leadership could be brought into fire. Goal of operation was simple, to compromize leadership of republic in eyes of population. Succesful resistance is impossible if you lack popular support.

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

A-102, North of Portsmouth

At same time underwater campaign continued. Both A-5 and A-46, which had attacked, were still repositioning. But new submarine had arrived to scene.

“Captain, we received target from satellites. Several cargo ships, with some escorts, 220 km to south, moving north towards us, we have calculated torpedo trajectory with what they would meet them with 95% probability.”

Excellent, admirality wanted to test those new torpedoes anyway. Prepare for attack!

Soonly A-102 launched six RT-117 (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=884) torpedos. Those new torpedos had 200 km range, that meant that Hamilayans, who were heading towards them, would themselfly run into torpedos. It was first time these torpedos were launched in anger, so it would serve as useful weapon test. Still it would take some time before impact, giving submarine extra time for leaving from scene.

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

General Tormilind was satisfied, attacks against shipping had given expected results. Hamilayans were escorting all their ships now, that was not cheap for them, not cheap at all. Panic in shipping had been achieved even faster then expected. Satanic Intervention proceeded as planned.

ooc: I will leave myself freedom to make later edits for correcting spelling mistakes and stuff. Btw, I realized that I may be only one who knows link to Hamilay mainland map (http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/Hamilay.jpg)(I found his previous civil war thread where I had participated).

A few hours later, as the Olmedrecan submarine A-102 pulled out of the area, it had the misfortune to brush within a few kilometres of one of Hamilay's fields of sonobuoys to protect its merchant shipping from submarines. Whilst only some vague noise was detected that could have been many other things, the systems were on high alert after the embarassing fiasco at Georgia. An alert was duly sent out to all the warships in the area, which wasn't many, and they did very little, due to the distance of the noise that may or may not have been a submarine.

Aboard the Meyers-class frigate Agility, Captain Korolev received the submarine warning, as did the other Meyers frigate and the two merchant marine vessels he was escorting, and dismissed it. The submarine was apparently several hundred kilometers away...

He stopped as alarms started blaring throughout the ship.

"Incoming torpedoes, sir!"

Korolev ran over and stared at a sonar display, which showed six red dots heading from the north-west towards the four ships.

"Deploy decoys now! Evasive maneuvers! Helm, right full rudder! The hell did those torpedoes come from?"

Agility turned to evade the torpedoes, as did the rest of the ships in the small group. SLQ-25 Nixie decoys dropped off the warships to attempt to confuse the incoming weapons. However, the torpedoes, Korolov noted, were coming at an incredibly slow speed, and he relaxed somewhat. At full speed, it looked like his ship could simply outrun them. The merchantmen might not be so lucky, though.

Korolev gave a satisfied nod as a torpedo hit one of the decoys and exploded, and four of the six torpedoes went for the frigates, their closest targets. After being drawn away for a short distance, were outrun by the frigates and shot off into the distance seeking nothing. The captain winced as the last, however, exploded underneath one of the merchant ships, smashing its hull in and causing it to list heavily to port, crippled and leaking oil. Well, some company wouldn't be getting a shipload of Hamilayan televisions any time soon. Where the hell did those torpedoes come from?

"This is Korolev of FFG-656 Agility, group has been attacked by submarines. One merchant ship badly damaged. Request salvage crew."

Naval Command noted this, but the more pressing concern was to find the miscreant submarine. Immediately, four Phantom-class hunter-killer submarines, especially designed for this task, headed east out of Portsmouth Naval Base North, two intended to take up general patrol duties and two to find and kill the submarine, heading for its last vague location. The submarines had actually been preparing for this patrol of Hamilayan waters for the last few hours, to finally have something to show for the losses of merchant ships. The submarines were supported by two Mansel Reese-class guided missile destroyers in the area, which launched an SH-96 antisubmarine helicopter each, again dispatched to the last location of that noise.

Office of Admiral Odavars, Drasgard, Olmedreca

"Test proves that RT-117's are too easy to draw away by fast ships like frigates." said Peeter Puusepp, representative of Ailarthia Naval Yards.

"Weren't they programmed to follow only targets that are slower then them." asked admiral Odavars.

"Yes, but we had not tested it in combat yet, all RT-117's are being currently reprogrammed to solve that problem. In future they should follow only enemies who they can catch. And if it finds out during attack that it miscalculated enemy speed and can not catch it, then it will turn back to original direction. So that even if it accidentally firstly starts following fast enemy ship, that is lot less likely now, then upon realizing mistake, it will turn towards direction where it was originally aimed."

"Alright, I believe we will have another chance to test it in combat sometime soon."

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A-102, Norteast from Portsmouth

A-102 was keeping low profile and silently leaving the area. Admirality had decided that after succesful attack submarines should pull back. Then at safer distance from Hamilay mainland, they would contact Admirality and receive new orders. A-102 captain Kuusk had realized that enemy may try to catch him, torpedo lauchers were reloaded, but this time not with slow RT-117's, if someone would get on his way then agressive attack may be needed.

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ooc: hamilay, I attacked near Portsmouth, your submarine hunters started at Bastion, by your map they are on different sides of your mainland. Isn't that little long distance for trying to catch my sub :P

OOC: Mental note; read location headings. *rolleyes* Post later today.

The Empress sat quietly for several minutes. She had plunged the Empire into war once already with the aid of Hamilayan Imperials, as it turns out the fleets and men were made t run because of internal unrest, she was going to be assasinated at the time. It was not a matter of a military defeat, more a unwanted reverse. Now she had to think seriously about sending in another force, this time to liberate these people.Although she didnt want a war with Vetaka or any of it allies, as Kampfers was a close Shakal ally and would be in an awkward position.

"What do you think Grosse Feld Marschall?" She asked looking up at him. This matter was one of the most serious the Shakal had faced in a long while.

"I believe the Armee wishes redemption for its withdrawl." Derrick ansered. His hand propped up his head as the other held a report on the war with the Partisans in New Shakal.

"I agree, however, do we have the resources to actually pull a campaign like this off? I mean, Hamilay isnt a weak nation like some we have faced." The Empress said to him. She rested her hands on her desk and rolled her fingers. For a woman only 20 years of age she had endured alot of strain. Wars, rebels, trade embargo's, and personal issues had yet to put stress on her youthful looks however.

"The Armee is ready to go, we already have 15 million men mobilized. That number could be multiplied by four if we needed it to be." Derrick answered. He would lead this campaign personally, he knew it would come.

"Is the Kriegsmarine in a state of readiness for something like this?" The Empress asked the Grand Admiral as she sat quietly in her uniform.

"The Armageddon and Samantha are good to to, but the Executor needs a month before it will be launched." Samantha replied. As of late the Shakal had stopped building Superdreadnaughts, instead they were being replaced with larger, more adaptable Carrier Dreadnaughts. The first of which, the Executor was the first.

"What about carriers and escorts? We lost quite a few in the Battle with Mandalorians." The Empress questined.

"Our Destroyer fleet is still recouperating, but the Frigate and Submarine losses have been made good." She replied. "As of now we have some 14 Supercarriers ready to go, 4 more could be ready within three months." Samantha paused. "We also have the 35 Nimitz Class Escort Carriers to send in."

"Good, good." The Empress said. The Luftwaffe was ready, with the execution of Colin by an assasin the head of the airforce was temporarily occupied by her. Any answer for this would need more time to contemplate.

RNS Sveadahl (DDG-729)
Tabora-class guided missile destroyer
East of Portsmouth, International Waters

A simple observation and intelligence mission had suddenly become more complex, and it was making Captain Leif Kinsgaard nervous. This was the first time he had been at sea commanding his own ship, and being thrown into a potential combat situation had him worried. But not of death or injury, but rather not living up to the reputation of his relatives before him, the many generations of Kinsgaards who had valiantly gone into battle in the great wars of old. With the exception of his own father, though, the Chevrokian Republic Navy's chief-of-staff Johan Kinsgaard, who was worried that he would die of old age before getting a chance at combat.

The resurgence of the "Empire of Hamilay" had resulted in a need for intelligence on activities in the Hamilayan theatre. What sort of operations were the Republic and the Empire carrying out? Who was getting aid or assistance from who? It wasn't the most vital thing to Chevrokian national security, but then the Republic of Hamilay was one of the few countries that Chevrokia had an ambassador to, and so the current administration thought it would be a good idea to know what was going on there. Observation and intelligence gathering, it should have been simple.

Then, reports started coming in of attacks on Hamilayan merchant ships. Though intel wasn't particularly good, Naval Command doubted the Empire would be able to carry out much in the way of naval operations; they had been mauled severely by the Republican navy. So, it was likely some country who, for whatever reason, supported the Empire of Hamilay. Would they also attack Chevrokian merchant ships doing business with the Republic? Maybe, maybe not. Evidently Naval Command didn't want to chance having photos or videos of dead merchantmen alongside burning ships appear in the news, and so they had redirected Sveadahl and another destroyer, the Venture, to escort a pair of fast freighters into Portsmouth.

The Sveadahl certainly wasn't a bad first command, Leif thought. She was a warship, and definetely looked the part with two twin 5-inch turrets forward, sixteen angled missile tubes flanking the superstructure, another 64 similarly-sized VLS tubes aft of the helo pad/hanger, plus four 30mm gatling guns and two 21-cell RAM launchers for close-in air defense. Even as good as it was, they still found a way to improve upon it, as she had been recently refitted with the new Mark 70 turrets in place of the old 38s. They moved the two guns from side-by-side into an over-and-under arrangement, linked together by a hydraulic Gast-type recoil system, giving a rate of fire of 40 rounds per minute on the ready-use magazine. Further more, on either side of the guns was a six-cell SAM launcher. New rapid-fire fives and an additional 24 SAMs certainly didn't hurt at all.

While Leif was contemplating his new command, a younger rating approached him.

"Captain? Your presence has been requested in the CIC."

"Very well," Leif said. While he was walking to the CIC, he thought of at least one advantage of being a destroyer commander: much less distance to walk than on the huge carriers and battleships. "So, what's going on, then? Anything interesting?"

"Potentially sir. Message from Venture, they report sonar contact with a submarine of unknown origin." That was likely, Venture was the lead ship of her class of ASW destroyers, and was fitted with a powerful duo of hull-mounted and towed sonar arrays. "They entered the area some time ago, then there was a loud bang, likely a torpedo strike, then she left."

"Signals agrees, sir. Report overheard from a Hamilayan frigate commander mentions a submarine attack, with one merchantman heavily damaged."

"Right, so there is at least one hostile submarine in the general area. Very well. Get our Sixty (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SH-60) up, have them run close patrol around us, Venture, and the two freighters. Then, make to Venture, tell them to get their Twenty-Two (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V-22) up and to get their ASROCs and torpedoes ready, if they haven't already done so. Then, we need to get ahold of the Hamilayans and let them know we're coming. Right? Now, let's get to work."



This is the Chevrokian Republic Navy Ships Sveadahl and Venture, escorting two merchantmen to Portsmouth. Request entry to Federal Republic of Hamilay territorial waters.

Chevrokian Republic Navy vessels Sveadahl, Venture, you are cleared to enter Hamilayan waters. Be advised, at least one enemy submarine is operating in your zone," the speaker telling the Chevrokians what they already knew. "Last sighting was approximately twenty klicks north-38-west of your current position. Also be advised there are four Hamilayan frigates and two destroyers in your immediate area on patrol duty, as well as a classified number of our own subs. Good luck." The line went dead. The speaking naval officer groaned. Good luck was probably not the best choice of words. It was unlikely the Chevrokians would be attacked at this moment by these mystery submarines, especially not with half a dozen escorts hunting them down. Their navy probably wouldn't be fazed, but trade had to continue as normally as possible and it wouldn't do to scare the merchant ships. Perhaps Welcome to Hamilay would be more appropriate for the next time.

Valencia Island, 5th Marine Army Landing Zone

"Rocket!"

Corporal Robinson's partner in managing the ATGL-8 antitank launcher wordlessly passed him the fifth HEAT round in as many minutes. Robinson grabbed it and loaded the two-metre weapon, poking his head over the top of the trench into the hail of bullets zipping back and forth. He raised the sight to his eye, searching for a good target, though there were no shortage of those. May as well shoot the closest one. He did so, pulling the trigger, and the round leapt from the barrel, striking a T-90 four hundred metres away and adding another fireball to the many erupting on the field. Over a hundred fireballs formed from the ashes of Imperial tanks were burning themselves out on a five-hundred metre stretch of dirt backed by a gentle slope in front of the 68th Division lines. Suddenly Robinson noticed that what tanks there were left of one Guards Armoured Division were turning around, although the infantry remained behind, pinned by machinegun and sniper fire and too far away to fire into the trenches effectively. Several soldiers around him cheered with the sight of the retreating tanks and APCs, watching them disappear over the ridge pursued by a few missiles.

"Well done, Marines, but cut it out. They're not going to run that easily. They still have a few more divisions for us to kill," he said to those around him.

As if to confirm his statement, there were two ominous sounds that the Hamilayan Marines could now hear; the rumble of low-flying jet aircraft, and, a few seconds later, the thud of rotor blades.

A dozen Su-25 Frogfoot attack aircraft appeared over the horizon, followed a moment later by AH-64 gunships. Immediately Tunguska and Defender antiaircraft batteries opened fire, downing two Frogfoots with missiles and causing three Apaches to veer off in a hail of cannon fire, but the Su-25s returned fire, missiles homing in on the AA vehicles. All exploded. Everyone in the trench threw themselves flat as the planes buzzed overhead, but they remained mostly unscathed. However, cluster bombs rained down on the area behind the trenches where the division's vehicles were dug in, as well as upon the command post a few hundred metres back, leaving it a cratered wasteland. The Marines looked up to see yet more tanks rolling over the ridge, as well as significantly more infantry and APCs as before. The AH-64s followed at a steady speed overhead the assault, and abruptly opened fire. Once more the soldiers threw themselves flat as cannon rounds peppered the trench. The Frogfoots had no time to see what they destroyed, as three F-19fighters came from the seaward direction, shooting down five in two minutes and causing the rest to break and dive for the ground.

RNS Sveadahl (DDG-729)
Tabora-class guided missile destroyer
East of Portsmouth, International Waters

"Captain? We're getting a message back from the Hamilayans."

"Let me hear it."

"We have been cleared to enter Hamilayan waters. The sub contact we had earlier is reported being twenty clicks from our position, bearing north-38-west. Be advised, Hamilayan naval vessels operating in the area...four frigates, two destroyers, and an unspecified number of submarines."

"Sounds about right, sir, we've got their surface ships on the radar scope."

"Right-o, let's be sure not to get in the way of their operations. Make our course to the south of them. Keep a watch out for subs, be sure to periodically ask Venture about their contacts if they don't tell us first."

"Yes, sir."

The various personnel in CIC went back to their jobs, monitoring radio traffic and radar contacts. When Leif went back outside, he could hear the rythmic beat of helo blades as their SH-60 orbited the little convoy, stopping every so often to dip their sonar in the water.

So far, so good.

A-102, East from Portsmouth

Captain Jüri Kuusk was nervous, some time ago they had detected unknow ships north of them, probably enemies trying to catch them. He had turned south and now everything seemed to be quiet. But he realized very well that this could end at every moment. Second later his fear became reality:

“Captain! Group of ships east from us."

“Hunters or some merchant convoy?

“We believe that convoy, problem is, we most likely can not leave the area with out beign detected by them.”

Jüri Kuusk realized that this was hard situation, he did not want to make another attack currently because he had practically no accurate information about this new threat. But he knew that there was no choice, it was standard situation, kill or be killed.

“Prepare for attack!”

Few minutes later A-102 launched six RT-115 (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=884) torpedoes. RT-115 was standard torpedo of Olmedrecan navy, fast, manouverable, and powerful. It was meant to kill capital ships if necessary, so in case of civilian ships and their escorts, every hit was going to mean kill. Seconds later decoy was launched to north-east. This was going to make noise like submarine which, after being revealed by lauching an attack, tries to escape. At same moment A-102 turned in full silence to south, and held as close to seafloor as possible.

Ooc: Attack was aganist those Chevyrocks ships(although submarine has no idea to who they belong). Btw, Hamilay, about that propaganda to damage popularity of federal government, I hope that you would RP how it affects and stuff because I have no idea how many corrupt ministers and generals who commit warcrimes you actualy have and what impact such stuff will have. Btw, how popular/unpopular imperials actualy are in your mainland?

ooc: fleet=about two days away from Imperial waters

Official Statement
Denomination of Foreign Diplomacy

At the close of the Hamilayan Civil War, Manthian forces withdrew from Hamilay under the implicit understanding that the Federal Republic would allow the Hamilayan Empire to exist peacefully to the north - an understanding which was backed up by promises from the Federal Republic at the time. We are severely disappointed that the Federal Republic has seen fit to renege on its word, blockading and now attacking the Imperial government.

In the interest of peace, we request that the Federal Republic's forces stand down from their unwarranted, unprovoked, and illegal attack upon the Empire.

A Manthian fleet has been dispatched to Imperial shores, and we sincerely hope that they will arrive to oversee a ceasefire and resumption of a watchful peace. This war benefits neither the Empire, which must once again battle against usurpers holding claim to its territory, nor the Republic, which has sullied its name with its recent actions.

The High Seas

Admiral - Fleet Admiral now, actually - Sash Arvando gazed pensively over the forward turrets of his flagship, the Navarine. The massive ship, only recently repaired, still bore the scars of battle with the Baltic communists, and Arvando had the feeling that her thirty-six 25" guns were sorely needed in that campaign, whatever High Command might say. But here he was, on his way to Hamilayan shores once more, this time proceeding warily in full knowledge that the Hamilayan fleets which had bloodied his flotilla in the last war were still very much in existance. Still, there was some comfort to be had in the knowledge that at least his fleet would be better suited to look after itself this time around. Watching the Heracles go down to a barrage of enemy missiles, just an hour before the ceasefire, had been a wrenching experience and not one he wanted to repeat. In that battle Manth's fleet had been utterly and totally outclassed by its enemies.

He had the feeling that, though the odds might have evened somewhat, they were still on the Hamilayan side. But a man had his duty, and if hostilities broke out - though he would try to prevent it, as much as he could while still following his orders - he would do his best to avenge his old ship and the sailors who rested in the black depths of the Hamilayan sea.

We, the little nation of Nikkovakia have seen been brought to our attention that indeed this re-birth of the this nation has come up.
We would like to congradulate you on your success in this time and state of your nation.
I would like to extend to you a hand in aid to you as you start the rebuilding process.

Nikkovakia here-by grants you Defensive Aid if any war threats come your way. We don't have much, but we will stick it out untill our last man has been killed.

We say this with the upmost sinseraty.

Again,Congrads on the new beginning.

Nikkovakian Leader.
Nikos.

Official Free Dominion of Vetaka Diplomatic Message:

To: <Open Communication>
From: Office of the President (Free Dominion of Vetaka)

Subject: Hamilayan Civil Affairs

The Federal Republic of Hamilay was brought to power by open and free democratic elections voted for and ratified by the free peoples of Hamilay. As such it is the view of the Vetakan Government that the Empire of Hamilay is nothing more than that of a terrorist organization one that wishes to kill and enslave the entire nation and people Hamilay.

The Federal Republic has always been a strong and key ally of the Vetakan Dominion in all its actions both on the international and domestic scene. Vetaka committed forces during the first war but withdrew due to pressures at home as well as impending invasion by the United Kingdom of Clandonia a decision to withdraw that Vetaka deeply regrets.

However its a decision the Vetakan Dominion hopes to and wishes to right by any means necessary. As such the Vetaka hear by delivers a list of demands to the Empire of Hamilay:

1) The Empire of Hamilay will surrender to the Federal Republic within a period of 48 hours.

2) The Empire of Hamilay will allow Federal Republic Forces & UFAN Allied Forces to take total and unrestricted Control of all Empire controlled lands.

3) William VI, Emperor of the Hamilayan Empire will surrender himself to Republic Forces for trial under the charges laid down by the Republic Constitution.

The Empire of Hamilay has a period of 48 hours to respond to this ultimatum this is not a negotiation. Failure to adhere to these demands will result in Vetakan & UFAN Military Action. This saga has dragged on for to many years, this crisis has brought sadness and grief to many people, this war has killed to many people. It is the beginning of the end.

To all nations, individuals and organizations with the will and intent to support the Empire of Hamilay I appeal to you to stand down and allow democracy to succeed. Vetaka & the United Federation of Allied Nations does not seek a war with any anybody not even the Empire of Hamilay. I beg of you do not turn this into a bloodbath.

Yours

Daniel Pearce

President of the Free Dominion of Vetaka
Supreme Commanding Admiral in Chief of the Vetakan Defence Forces

Official Statement
Denomination of Foreign Diplomacy

Manth has long respected Vetaka, its government, and its people, despite occasional differences in policy, as Vetaka is known thoughout the world for its honorable and fair approach to situations both abroad and at home. However, we simply cannot see eye to eye with them on this matter.

Since the civil war, the Empire of Hamilay has made no attempt to attack the Federal Republic or in any other manner threaten its interest - they have remained on their side of the agreed-upon border and done their best to eke out a living under the squalor and vicious economic circumstances forced upon them by the vindictive actions of the Federal Republic. The Empire has bveen a threat to no-one these past years, doing nought but attempt to survive.

Yet simply humiliating, starving, and marginalizing their political opponents is not enough for the men in power in the Republic - now they must launch a treacherous surprise attack, casting aside the peace which has reigned these past years! I am, and indeed all Manth is shocked that the honorable state of Vetaka would not only condone but support this behavior. I hope that there has been some sort of miscommunication.

Commander Ismail Hakim
Denomination of Foreign Diplomacy CCX Liaison

Olmedreca;13038363']
*snip*

OOC: Sweet, now I've got something to do.


RNS Venture (DDG-555)
Venture-class ASW destroyer
East of Portsmouth

"Shit!!"

"What is it?"

"We're getting new contacts, here! Six new hits, bearing three-two-five, speed sixty knots, range twenty clicks, consistent with torpedo attack, sir!"

"Damn it," the Captain yelled, "Call up the freighters, have them go to flank speed, increase ours to match. Get our bird on that damned submarine, where is he at?"

"Difficult to tell sir. Two other contacts, one faint, hard to determine depth and speed, may be going to the south, towards us...other one is strong, heading towards the northeast."

"He's gotta be the faint one. He's launched his torpedoes, and so he knows we're gonna be looking for him. He's expecting us to think he's going to leave the area after the attack...but instead he's gonna dive and creep along the bottom towards us, where we wouldn't expect. Can we get a firing solution?" The Venture was fitted with two triple 1000mm torpedo launchers, which were originally designed for use against capital ships but also were useful in combating deep diving subs. But if they couldn't lock on to the target, it didn't make an awful lot of difference.

"Nah, I don't think so, sir. He's gotta be down there good."

"Shit. Alright, then, we'll try and 'charge him out. Launch our ASROCs (http://designation-systems.net/dusrm/m-139.html) and get our bird over there. And report to Sveadahl, too!"


RNS Sveadahl (DDG-729)
Tabora-class guided missile destroyer
East of Portsmouth

Even over the sound of the ocean and the distance, Captain Leif Kinsgaard could faintly hear alarm bells blaring on the Venture. Before the rating could even come outside to inform him of the situation, he was already running into the CIC.

"Report?!"

"Sir, Venture reports submarine attack in progress. Six fish inbound, bearing three-two-five, speed sixty knots, range now 15 clicks. She's already ordered the freighters to go to flank speed, they're increasing to match."

Flank speed for the freighters meant 29 knots, basically a fast cruise speed for the destroyers. Combined with their lack of manuverability and countermeasures, that meant a very bad situation for the merchantmen.

"Sir, she's also vectoring in her Twenty-Two to a faint contact, heading south from the last known position of the hostile sub. They're gonna try and depth charge her. Also launching eight ASROCs, sir, and they're readying countermeasures."

"Right, then, increase our speed to 29 knots. Ready countermeasures. Then, call over to the freighters, have them ready their liferafts and survival gear. If they get torpedoed, they don't stand a chance, and they'll need to get off fast."

The minutes agonizingly ticked by. As the torpedoes started coming in close, Kinsgaard made the decision.

"Launch countermeasures! Full-ahead flank, maximum turn to starboard!"

The torpedoes began to streak in. Leif heard a dull thud and felt the ship rock. Explosion close to the Sveadahl, maybe some minor damage, nothing serious. "Sir, one torpedo came close, but detonated aft of us and to starboard. Second one was coming for us, but overshot."

"What about the rest?!"

"Stand by..." the radio operator suddenly got a bad expression. "Right, the Venture had one like ours, only it detonated closer. She's taking on water and listing to starboard. She's also lost her starboard engine, and down to 14 knots. Another one had overshot and was coming around for a second pass, but then died...probably ran out of fuel. The blast also damaged her helo hanger, they've got a fire burning through their JP-8 supply. They say they should be able to control the flooding and get her patched up. Helo operations are out of the question due to the fire. When their Twenty-Two gets done, she'll have to try and land here or ditch."

"And the freighters?"

"Very bad, sir. The one that overshot us and a second one both hit Sefland Star, broke her back and split her in half. She's going down fast and isn't coming back. The Highland Star was hit by the last one, her bow got blown off, and her fuel tanks have ruptured and caught fire. She's burning and settling by the bow. Venture reports seeing lifeboats in the water."

What an awful place for his first cruise to arrive at. Two merchantmen torpedoed and sinking, destroyer damaged. Casualties were almost certain from the merchant ships.

"Very well. Let's pull her back, pick up survivors in the lifeboats. Have our Sixty search for anybody who didn't make it to a liferaft and..." Leif had difficulty continuing, "...and anybody who didn't make it at all."

He stepped back outside to see the situation. Sefland Star was already gone, with wreckage and an oil slick marking her watery grave. Highland Star's stern was hanging in the air, her rudder and screws clearly visible while she still burned and slipped underwater. Leif could see the SV-22 roaring overhead, on their way to depth charge the enemy sub. Yes, the enemy sub. It had been a very long time since the Republic had gone to war, the phrase "enemy" would take some time to get used to.

Btw, Hamilay, about that propaganda to damage popularity of federal government, I hope that you would RP how it affects and stuff because I have no idea how many corrupt ministers and generals who commit warcrimes you actualy have and what impact such stuff will have. Btw, how popular/unpopular imperials actualy are in your mainland?
You'll probably dig up some corruption somewhere, all governments have it. The civil war was, unlike many, fought by two disciplined and professional military forces, so not a lot of war crimes going on. On the other hand, when (if?) we gain control of the Imperial civilan populace... well, we'll see. ;) The empire is unfortunately almost universally loathed in the mainland, at least by the public. Some military officers still sympathise but keep their mouths shut. However you should note that anti-empire measures (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=534466) taken recently by the republic (which do a great deal towards keeping aforementioned mouths shut) have made some of the citizenry a bit uneasy.

Nikkovakia... it's a bit past threats at the moment.

OOC: My apologies for the OOC Comment in the thread but Hamilay do you have a map of the Imperial Empire Lands?

Official Statement

Greal would like to have trade relations with Hamilay. And we would like Hamilay to estibalish a embassy in Greal.http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=528567 And Greal would like to send some troops to help out your nation.

OOC: Here (http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/Hamilay.jpg) is the map of all of Hamilay, but I did it a long time ago, and coupled with my atrocious paint skills it's not too accurate to what I want my nation to look like (the lakes are ridiculously oversized for example). The Empire lands are the island north of Castell, but it should be elongated a bit and moved east nearer to Chernaya. I'll draw a map up of the Imperial lands themselves now...

Map done (http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/HamilayanEmpire.jpg). The terrain is flat and cold tundra with the odd pine forest and town, island about the size of Madagascar.

Greal... which Hamilay?

A-102, East from Portsmouth

“Sir, looks like they we are being attacked by ASROCs.”

Captain Kuusk realized that he is running out of options, his decoy trick had failed, and also torpedos failed to kill enemy escorts as he had hoped. Silently he said to men in control room:

“Men, there is no time for long speeches, but for brave few words are as good as many. It has been honour with seving all of you, I am really proud to have so nice and professional crew.”

In total silence everyone in room saluted. Captain now continued:

“Launch second decoy. Full stop and full silence. Now its up to Satan.”

A-102, stopped moving and stayed as close to ocean floor as possible, everyone is sub were in total silence. Decoy continued on its course to make it appear like submarine would continue moving. Kuusk knew that now everything depended on that. If enemy realizes that trick, then he is dead, even if ASROCs do not hit they can easily kill him with depth charges. Decoy carried some explosives, so that then being hit it would make little bang, hopefully enemy would think that they killed the submarine. Captain took a sip of coffee, he could not do anything except wait.

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

Ooc:
Chevy, you sent your ships so nicely there that I feeled that it would be assholeish to not give you some action. ;)

Hamilay, well does empire has any aces in backpocket or they are simply waiting until someone kills them? My nation could be described as evil, but it definitely is practical, and its not going to put hand in fire if there are no realistic chance for success. Empire is both outgunned(and republic guys have lots of allies ready to add their armies) and unpopular(which rules out possibility of effective resistance in mainland), pretty hopeless situation. Only idea what I have left is trying to get some republican commander near Sayenna to switch sides and decapitate republic but if there are only loyal commanders there, or if soldiers would simply not follow such orders(very possible if imperials are unpopular among general population) then that is also impossible. Although I may give imperial leadership refugee(in secret of course) if you should want to keep them alive for future

OOC: the empire.

Olmedreca;13040149']
Ooc:
Chevy, you sent your ships so nicely there that I feeled that it would be assholeish to not give you some action. ;)

OOC: That'll work just fine, I was kinda hoping for some action, it's been a while since I've been in an actual shooting war.


RNS Sveadahl (DDG-729)
Tabora-class guided missile destroyer
East of Portsmouth

"Signalman!"

"Sir?"

"Send a signal to Venture. First part 'Is your sonar still operational?' If answer is yes, send 'What is location and status of enemy submarine?'"

"Aye, sir."

A few moments passed before the reply came.

"Roger, sir, their sonar is still operational. Stand by ... sir, they're saying they lost positive contact with the sub. They've got another contact, likely a decoy sir, so he's gotta be in the area still. They think he's come to a stop on the bottom. Their salvo of ASROCs missed the target by just enough, they've got their Twenty-Two near the last known position ready to drop depth charges."

"Anything else?"

"They've also got initial casualty reports. Venture has ten injured from the near-miss, some of them head injuries from the sudden shock, some with burns from the hangar fire, which they say they've got under control now. They've pulled up the first liferaft, from the Highland Star, three injured aboard and seven unscathed. More casualties expected."

"Right. Keep working the recovery effort, and we had better inform command of our situation. This is going to be very important."


SV-22C "Victor-One"
Over last known location of Olmedrecan submarine A-102

The crew aboard Victor-One were justifiably worried. First off was the fate of the merchantmen whose freighters had been torpedoed and sunk. Second off, how were they going to get back onboard a ship? The hanger fire aboard Venture ruled out any sort of landing there. So that meant trying to put her down on Sveadahl, no easy task as the Tabora-class destroyers weren't intended to operate with the big Ospreys like the Venture-class could. If they couldn't make a landing, they'd have to ditch in the sea. Hopefully they could avoid that.

"Venture to Victor-One, you're over the last known location of the submarine, cleared for depth charge attack."

"Roger that, cleared for depth charge attack. Setting fuzes for current maximum depth."

Where the cargo hold had been on the original Osprey was partly replaced by a weapons bay. As the SV-22 decelerated to a slow forward hover, the bay doors opened and from inside, eight 500-lb depth charges dropped to the sea, slowed by parachute.

With any luck, the submarine would either permenantly stay on the sea floor, or would be forced to surface. Victor-One's crew were betting Captain Kinsgaard over on Sveadahl would love to be able to capture A-102 and continue the Kinsgaard legacy.

A-102, East of Portsmouth

Captain Kuusk took another sip of coffee, ASROCs had missed, so far so good. Otherwise they would be dead already. Next moment whole submarine was shaked by nearby explosion, that was soonly followed by other one. Those were clearly depth charges.

“Sir, it is getting closer to us.”

“Hmm, are enemy ships moving?"

“No, probably they are saving crews of those who got hit.”

“Alright, prepare to start rising.”

Men in room looked at captain with suprised faces. Crews of submarines, which were used in unrestricted submarine warfare, got special training and indoctoration to make sure that there would be no surrendering. Even if captain would try to do that, his crew would revolt as that would be treason. But Captain Kuusk had no intention to surrender:

“Prepare for attack! We start rising like surfacing submarine, and get their hopes high, then we will send those brand new barracudas into their asses. Also get IDAS ready for helicopter, those flyboys will regret ever getting close to my ship. Those shitheads should had left us alone then they had a chance. Now they will come to hell with us!”

A-102 started slowly rising from ocean floor. Then suddenly it launched four KT-22 (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=884) supercavitating torpedos. Torpedos fastly speeded up to their maximum speed of 250 knots, and headed directly towards enemy ships who would have minimal time to react. At same time IDAS (http://www.diehl-bgt-defence.de/index.php?id=563&L=1) was launched and four missiles moved to kill any enemy helicopters near submarine. A-102 speeded up to maximum speed, turned to northeast, away from enemy, and launched two decoys towards enemy surface ships to confuse any torpedos which enemy manages to launch before KT-22's kick in.

RNS Sveadahl (DDG-729)
Tabora-class guided missile destroyer
East of Portsmouth

"That sub isn't gone, sir! Venture's got a positive contact now. She's turning about, heading north-east, accelerating to high speed. Another two contacts heading towards us, believed to be decoys."

"Get their bird on that sub!"

"No good, sir, she's been shot down, the sub must have its own anti-aircraft missiles! Venture's launching three of her big torpedoes." The huge 1,000mm torpedoes aboard Venture weren't the most manuverable, but they could go for quite a long distance at a steady 55 knots. If they were lucky, they could close the gap between them and the enemy sub.

"What?" the radio operator paused for a moment. "Shit! Sir, we've got another four fish inbound, very high speed, well over 200 knots! They've got to be supercavs, sir. Time to impact, three minutes!"

"Those sick bastards! All right, get us moving, full ahead flank!"

"But, sir, we're still picking up..."

"Damn it, did you not hear me?! I said ahead flank! NOW!!"

"Ahead flank, aye, sir!"

The merchantmen still in the water were quite upset by the two destroyers suddenly moving away. Some of them noticed the door open on the starboard side of Venture, with the three massive torpedoes dropping like stones into the sea, on their way to try and intercept submarine A-102.

"Faster, damn it!" the Captain ordered, "divert all available power to the turbines! What's our countermeasures status?"

"Still have some left, sir, but I don't know how effective they'll be, those torpedoes are just moving way too fast! They're in close now, sir!"

What can we do, the Captain thought. There was little they could do now to survive, time for one last-ditch move.

"Right full rudder! All back starboard engine!"

The ship jammed to the right, with the sounds of the hull and bulkheads creaking and groaning under the extreme stress of the maneuver. Would it work?

"No good, sir, they're still on us!! Time to impact, ten seconds!!"

So, that was it. They'd tried their best and didn't make it. As the sonar officer counted down the seconds until impact, Leif thought about his family and the Kinsgaard legacy. He quietly said to himself "Grandpa Gabe, I'm coming!"

The four inbounds split between Sveadahl and Venture. The fact that Sveadahl was so heavily-armed for a destroyer in fact worked against it in this case.

The first torpedo detonated about halfway forward of amidships. The keel broke just under the gun battery, with the subsequent blast wave forcing it's way around and through the turrets, into the ready-use ammunition lockers and the main magazines, setting them off, and causing an explosion which ripped the bow off the ship. The explosion also moved aft, setting off the big anti-ship missles flanking the superstructure, causing another ripple of explosions which completely destroyed the forward superstructure, essentially killing everybody in the bridge, CIC, and any other control centers.

The second torpedo detonated about halfway aft of amidships, repeating the keel breaking and blast wave of the previous. The blast ripped through the engine rooms, ruptured the fuel tanks, and began setting off the missiles in the aft VLS tubes. In real-time, the men in the water watched in horror, the destruction appearing as a rolling chain of explosions which quickly moved from the bow to the stern, completely incinerating the entire ship.

The Venture fared marginally better, as a result of having significantly less armament; less things to go "boom." The bow was blown off from the gun magazine detonation, but it was slightly less violent than that of Sveadahl. With most of her missiles on top of the superstructure, they were just far enough away to not be detonated by the torpedo strike. The second torpedo hit aft, forward of the hanger but under the three remaining heavy torpedoes. That blast hurtled many men, who were previously fighting the hangar fire, right into the ocean; many of them injured badly, but alive.

The terrible irony was that many of the merchantmen who survived the freighters being torpedoed, were killed shortly afterwards aboard the ship which had just plucked them from the water.

Of the Sveadahl, the only men of the crew of 329 who survived were the two helicopter pilots, who were going back out to retrieve more merchantmen from the water at the time of the explosion. Of the Venture's crew of 216, 42 were either blown overboard or managed to dive off before she went down, and they joined seven men from Sefland Star who had yet to be picked up.

The SH-60 hovered over the survivors, who were struggling to hang to liferafts or any piece of floating debris. The co-pilot got on the intercom, "Men, I'm sorry, but we can't stay any longer. We're running low on fuel! We're gonna try for Portsmouth, get out a mayday, and hopefully refuel. In the meantime, keep together. Do what you can for the injured, and we'll come back for the rest of you!"

The SH-60 turned about and headed West towards Portsmouth, horrified by what they had just witnessed. They opened the throttles wide, and were keeping a nose-down pitch just above the wavetops to hold the speed up high. Meanwhile, they also began broadcasting a message on the emergency bands, hoping somebody important in Portsmouth was listening.

"Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is Chevrokian Republic Navy helicopter 'Sierra-One' issuing multiple maydays for Chevrokian Republic Navy Ships Sveadahl and Venture, and Chevrokian merchant vessels Sefland Star and Highland Star. Ships were torpedoed and sunk thirty klicks east of the city of Portsmouth by unknown submarine. Casualties are heavy. We are currently twenty klicks due east of Portsmouth, heading due west with intent to land in or near Portsmouth to refuel. Anybody listening on this frequency, please advise."

The Empress had made her choice. The Empire would go to war. The soveignty of the Hamilayan Empire was to be protected. She had already called the Grosse Feld Marschall and Grosse Admiral. They were already preparing the men. Three Shakal Wolf Packs were already dispatched to scout out a suitable landing zone for the future.

Shakal, U-122

"Captain!" The ensign called. "We are recieving a distress call from some nearby vessels." He added. The captain came over and recieved the call. If he revealed the Shakal naval presence then any chance of the navy arriving just as the decleration of war arrived was blown. The Hamilayans would be aware of there presence and there was a good chance it would be an act of war. On the other hand fellow sailors needed there help. He sat quiet for several seconds. "Reply in code." He said. A highly encoded message went back to Sierra One.

This is Shakal Submarine U-122. Recieved distress call. Moving in to assist.

The reply was made succinct to keep any chance of interception to a minimum. The Wolf Pack moved towards the distressed sailors and would surface at a very close range to them.

ooc: post=somewhat hastily thrown together, sorry... working on lots of stuff right now. :p Hamilay, I will probably post the main Manthian fleets arriving tomorrow evening, though if you want me to wait a few more OOC days to let things play out I'd be happy to...

Captain Ehab Mounir tapped the controls on his Lu-27 Condor, bringing the craft down slightly as the Stormfueler which had just topped up his tanks peeled off again. It had been a long journey from Manth, but the final - and most exciting - part of the trip was just coming up.

With a last glance at the seas below, he began the final climb to forty thousand meters - the cruise altitude for the final leg. And then he opened up the throttle, watched the needle pass Mach 2, 3, 4...

A calm female voice through his helmet informed him that he was approaching the Condor's safe limits about halfway through Mach 5, and Mounir eased back a little. He glanced down at the great blue expanse of the ocean beneath him. He was so far up that it almost looked like he was standing still, not screaming through the upper atmosphere at obscene speeds... but that illusion would soon be dispelled. Up ahead he could see the dark mass of the Hamilayan coast, rapidly growing... though the fleet would take hours yet to arrive, the hypersonic Condor would carry him there in mere minutes.

As he came up on the waters around the Empire, he nudged his craft a few thousand meters higher... there was little chance that a standard SAM from Republican ships or even aircraft would catch his craft going as fast and high as it was, but there was no point taking chances. It was really a very arrogant thing he had been sent to do, all things told... flying over a warzone at speeds that would broadcast his presence for miles around, in a single, lone aircraft. It was a flight that really served no military purpose, and though Manth was still officially neutral, there was no telling exactly how the Hamilayans would react. But Mounir had faith in his Condor to bring him through, and more than that, the flight was meant to be arrogant, to serve as a symbol, that the contrails writ large above the Hamilayan sky would spell out very clearly to the Hamilayan commanders, that Manth was preparing to make its presence known, and its displeasure very clear.

He almost felt like waggling his wings at the Hamilayans below, but it would probably have been lost on them.

SH-60F "Sierra-One"
Ten kilometers east of Portsmouth

"Hey, we're getting a message here," the co-pilot remarked.

"A message? From who?"

"I can't tell. It's all encoded. I don't suppose you've got any cryptography books handy?"

"Hell no, I'm a helo pilot. I just fly around and kill submarines. Which is what we should have been doing earlier!" the pilot cursed, but then gathered himself and focused on the task at hand.

As they continued towards the Hamilayan coast, they each wondered about what the message was and who it was from.


In the sea
Thirty kilometers east of Portsmouth
Several hours later

"This one's definetely gonna stick in my mind for a long time," said Master Chief Glenn Walker, thinking aloud. After some earlier asking around with the crewmen and merchantmen floating on or near the liferafts, he had determined that he wasn't just the highest-ranking enlisted crewman left, he was the highest-ranking crewman left, period. That was bad.

Further asking around. Nobody from Sveadahl could be found. Only a few merchantmen, the rest from Venture.

"Hey, over here, ya bastards!" Glenn looked towards the source of the yell. Evidently somebody else had survived. He was in the uniform of an officer, which one Glenn was uncertain, but he was swimming towards the group of survivors.

"Who goes there?"

"It's Captain Balkowiksch!" The Venture's Captain. Somehow he had made it off before she sank. "Who's in charge over there?"

"That would be me, sir. Master Chief Walker."

"Just a Master Chief?" The Captain felt sick, for alot of good men had obviously died above him.

"Aye, sir."

"How many are you?"

"Forty-one Navy, with you that's forty-two, all from Venture. Plus seven merchantmen from the Sefland, sir."

"Nobody from Sveadahl?"

"None sir. Well, except for the helo pilots. They were coming out here to pick up these guys from the Selfand when she went up. They flew west towards Portsmouth to get help. The blast went from stem to stern, I don't think anybody could have made it off. If I may ask, sir, how you'd manage to get off the Venture?"

"I haven't the slightest clue. The last thing I remember, the torpedo was detonating under the bow, then the gun magazine ignited ... then I woke up in the water ... say, what the hell is that!?" the Captain spotted something moving through the water.

"It's a damned periscope," Glenn said.

"No ... not more submarines," cried one of the injured enlisted. Some of the survivors shared his worry. Some of them waved frantically, just hoping to get out of the ocean. The Captain and the Master Chief were contemplating the situation.

"You think those bastards would try and pick us up after trying to kill us all, sir?" Glenn asked.

"No," the Captain replied, "their intent was quite clear. They went so far as to attack us while we were conducting rescue operations, somehow I doubt they'd suddenly turn around and rescue us now. This has gotta be somebody else..."

A-102, East of Portsmouth

A-102 was effectively running for its life. As they were still alive, IDAS must have succeded in killing the helicopter.

Aide said “Captain, it seems our little killers hit the targets, there are series of large explosions at location of enemy ships.”

Captain Kuusk answered, “Good, get close to surface, we need to establish contact with our satellites.”

“Sir! Three torpedos incoming, oh my, these are huge... Okay, our decoys both catced one, but third one is following us, its really big, like meter or so, I doubt we can make it out from its range.”

“Hmm, we are out of decoys, so we need to try to use some of our torps against it, Jaak, I need your advice, which one has better chance to stop it. Our little supercavitating bastard or good old conventional torpedo?”

Lieutenant Jaak Tuul answered: “Well, KT-22 is definitely fast, and for supercavitating torpedo it has world class manouverability and guidance. But still RT-115 manouvers better, sees better, and as kill would not come from direct hit, but by simply exploding enough close, then its bigger payload is also advantage. Also we have like only 2 KT-22’s left and we may still need them for breaking out.”

“Alright, turn for a moment towards incoming problem and send two RT-115’s to kill it.”

“Sir we spotted something like submarine near location of enemy ships we attacked, should we attack it too?”

“More time Hamilayan submarines spend on rescuing those whoever we killed, less time they have to hunt for us. So let them be. Head close to surface, and get antenna out, we are going to establish connection with our satellites. I am tired of running around blindly, I had no intention to run into that fucking convoy, so I want to know locations of all surface ships in area. Also we will send to HQ all the information of our attacks, we still are deep in this soup. Now someone make some coffee! If this huge fish does not get us, then I will need it.”

A-102 started getting close to surface to contact Olmedrecan satellites. But people on board of it were mainly concerned by incoming torpedo, which may be stopped, but may also get through.


ooc: Well, I could not yet decide if I let that sub die(it has been quite lucky by surviving so long anyway) or let the hunt continue. I will make that decision next time.
Btw, ICly A-102 has not been in contact with friendly sats for some time(that will change soon), so it does not know who's ships are around it, for example nobody on sub knows yet that they attacked Chevrockians.

OOC: I think they should be able to get away from or kill the big torpedoes. However, their future survival may be doubtful...;)



Main Briefing Room
Presidential Complex
Duntovostok, The Chevrokian Republic

"This was live feed, taken from one of our NRO satellites early this afternoon. We had redirected it to the Hamilayan east coast to monitor the ships during the period of them transisting to Hamilayan waters."

The Secretary of Defense, Harald Gustav, was briefing an important portion of the current Chevrokian administrationon on the events which had occured east of Portsmouth. Included at the meeting was the President himself, the Secretary of State, the chiefs-of-staff of the Republic Air Force and Marines, the assistant chief-of-staff of the Republic Navy, and the head of the joint-service aerospace division Coastal Command.

"We see here the group is heading roughly due west towards Portsmouth. Sveadahl is on top of the view, and going down we can see Sefland Star, Highland Star, and Venture on the bottom. At this point they were steaming at about 24 knots. The following times I will mention are based partly on several short reports from the group back to Naval Command, as well as the time readout from the satellite feed..."

He proceeded with a detailed description of the incident, from contacting Hamilayan authorities until the destroyers were sunk.

"...we can't say exactly our numbers for casualties or survivors. Many of the Navy guys are saying that it's very unlikely anybody could have made it off of the Sveadahl, given the magnitude of the explosion. There's a slight chance of survivors from Venture, the explosions were somewhat less violent. All in all, we expect casualties to be heavy."

"Dear god..." the President said. "Who did this? What is the meaning of this attack on us!?!"

"Who, sir, we're working on at the moment," said the Secretary of State. "We know that the Federal Republic of Hamilay has been increasing operations against the so-called 'Empire of Hamilay,' with allies on both sides. We can't say for sure, but we're guessing it must be one of the allies of the Empire."

"I don't want a guess, Mr. Gregory, I want answers! Why would they attack us in the first place?"

"That is somewhat less clear, Mr. President. We know that Hamilayan merchant ships have been attacked in the last several days by submarines. Now, if this submarine had been monitoring radio traffic at all, they could have determined that our ships were neither Hamilayan nor any of their direct military allies. This leads to two possibilities.

"One, is that they did know it was us and chose to attack anyways. This is somewhat unlikely, because knowingly attacking both military and civilian vessels from a neutral country is a generally frowned upon. And technically, we are neutral at the moment, in that we haven't directly helped the Federal Republic and her allies against the Empire or vise versa. It is possible, though, that they were trying to send a message that they would attack anybody who does business with the Federal Republic. This is also unlikely, because it would mean many other countries besides us who would be very upset.

"Two, is that they didn't know it was us and chose to attack. More specifically, they didn't take time to positively identify our ships before launching their torpedoes. This means they've either got a sub driver with an itchy trigger finger, or a military command which ordered them to shoot at anything that moves."

"Either way, sir," said Admiral William Logevall, Republic Navy assistant chief-of-staff, "we can't let them get away with this. A military response is almost required in this situation. We've got to find that sub for sure."

"I agree," said Secretary Gregory, "but what specific course? Vice Admiral Orpheus, you're our expert on anti-submarine warfare, perhaps you could give us some options."

"Well," he took a monent to ponder, "we obviously can't approach it exactly how we normally would. While we don't even yet know what nation the sub belongs to, we do know that it has on board some type of missile-based air defense system, it downed the SV-22 which had make a depth charge attack. I don't imagine these are particularly fast or long-ranged missiles, but they would be quite effective against low speed and altitude anti-sub aircraft, so helos and tiltrotors are obviously vulnerable. Potentially, our PB-50s and PB-75s would be vulnerable as well. But I think I know what we can do.

"Firstly, we need to get a location on that sub again. I can't be certain how, but whatever we have to do. Hopefully the Hamilayans haven't killed it just yet. When we have a good, positive location, we need to send some fast, fast movers in there to kill it. Something far outside that sub's anti-aircraft missile engagement envelope."

"But what?" inquired Secretary Gregory.

General Christenson, chief-of-staff of the Chevrokian Republic Air Force, hadn't yet said anything. But he knew exactly what Orpheus was thinking, "Valkyries."

"Indeed, General. Hopefully, we can base some of the Navy's B-70s out of Hamilay, and then we can load them up with glide torpedoes. Those GTU-1s have a glide range alone of almost 60 kilometers from a Valk's operating altitude, and once in the water they can still go for another 25 kilometers at their peak speed of 80 knots. The planes really wouldn't even be anywhere close to the sub, they'd just need targeting information from either sonobouys, surface vessels, or any maritime patrol aircraft in the vicinity."

"That's as good a plan as anything else we've got," said Secretary Gustav. "At the least, it should be quite a bit faster than any other operations we could do. But I imagine we'll have to run it by Admiral Kinsgaard."

"By the way, how's Johan holding up?" the President asked.

"Not so good, sir," said Admiral Logevall. "He's been sulking in his office ever since he heard what happened. If he does like Vice Admiral Orpheus' idea, I can imagine which Valks he's gonna want to send in."

"Are they back yet?" Secretary Gustav asked, knowing who he was referring to.

"Indeed, they returned from the Grasalandik airshow several days ago."

"Very well," the President said. "This all sounds good to me gentlemen. Run it by Admiral Kinsgaard, then if he approves, we go in. Now, what do we do about the press?"

"We can't reveal anything specific, sir," said Secretary Gregory. "We'll have to say that our ships have been attacked and sunk. Anybody involved in the upcoming operations must not give out any details about their missions or the whole plan will be compromised."

"All right, then. Looks like we'll have to tell the Chevrokian people that nearly 600 of our sailors may have been killed today. That'll be all gentlemen."

The Shakal Submarine surfaced just in the middle of the sailors. After a few seconds the top hatch opened and Captain Jocham stuck himself out. He looked at the small group of sailors. Beside him 3 more huge submarines appeared. He called out to the men in a terribly accented Chevrokian "Greetings, we are here to help you." His language was broken, but they would be able to understand the gist of it. He looked at the men, very few were present. "We should have you out of the water very soon." He added. His men immediatly exited the huge two hundred meter long submarine and began to help the survivors onto the sub.

OOC:Before I type the big post of my navy arriving, is this at that point yet? Or is it still with the special forces or small units scale?

OOC: Olmedreca, I don't know about no chance for success. My military is rather overextended at the moment, and you have Shakal and Manth to help you out. Note the empire has WMDs, old ones, and they can't hit targets in Hamilay proper except right across the strait, but WMDs are WMDs. There's always funding a guerilla war in empire lands, anyway.

Shakal, go ahead, no problems. I should warn you though that if you're planning to land at Portsmouth that would not be advisable.

IC:

RHS Michael Avery

"Captain Ramirez, we have incoming distress signal. Chevrokian merchantmen and escorts, attacked by unidentified sub. Might be the same one that hit Agility and her group before. Orders?

"Move in to assist. Inform the Lewis of our new course." said the captain shortly, referring to the other Mansel Reese class guided-missile destroyer, Charlotte Lewis, sailing beside Avery. Whilst picking up shipwrecked survivors wasn't nearly as glamorous as hunting down enemy submarines, it was something that needed to be done in all circumstances, and perhaps after having their ships blown up the Chevrokians would be more sympathetic to the Republic's cause.

"Yessir. Plotting a course now..."

The female lieutenant at a sonar station spoke up. "Sir, I'm picking up movement at the target site."

"Neutral survivors, presumably."

"No sir, this is something else. Something... wait. There's something coming up right now. Shit! Submarines surfacing, one... another... three of them!"

"Not ours." Having seen the look on his officer's face, the captain didn't need to phrase it as a question. "Helm, give us full speed ahead. Bring the ship to battle stations. Redirect our ASW chopper, ask Lewis to do the same, and target those submarines whilst they're still on the surface. Maybe we can get them to surrender. I want all the support I can get, there must be a lot more subs in this area than we thought. Get to it, people!"

"What do you think they're doing here, sir? Picking up the people they just torpedoed?"

"Hard to say," muttered Ramirez. "I agree with you. Doesn't fit. Maybe taking POWs for interrogation or something. Could be someone else, though." Whatever they were doing, he had to admire them, surfacing to rescue survivors in Hamilayan waters, knowing full well their presence was an act of war. He reminded himself that these submarines had attacked the neutral merchant shipping in the first place. Unless they were someone else.

The two SH-60s from the two destroyers appeared over the horizon a few minutes later. For the benefit of the stranded Chevrokians, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF HAMILAY NAVY was visible painted on the side. "Unidentified submarine, you are in Hamilayan waters without clearance, which is an act of war. We have you in our sights and you are to surrender immediately. Officer staff are to come out on deck where we can see you, or we'll blow you out of the water," the helicopter pilots spoke, both on open radio channels and through a loudspeaker so those already outside of the submarine could hear.

68th Marine Division Command Post

"Incoming, incoming!"

Lieutenant-General Faulkner heard the scream and instinctively dived for cover, as did the rest of the staff in the tent. The table over his head shook as bombs exploded outside, then the sound of ripping cloth as a hail of cannon fire shredded the canvas. Faulkner risked a look up to see two Su-25 attack planes roar overhead. More bombs exploded around the other tents, and he hurriedly ducked back down again. The different sound of jet fighter engines was added to the chaos, and there were more explosions, sharper this time. Despite the sounds of crackling fire and screams, no more explosions or gunfire were heard, except from the direction of the defensive lines several hundred metres away. The general crawled out from under the table, noticing with surprise he was unscathed save a large splinter in his hand, and saw that his aide was lying in a bloody heap on the ground. He took a few steps over and winced, turning away again.

"Sir! You all right?"

A captain helped him up, his own uniform soaked with blood.

"I'm fine. The communications tent?"

"Still fine, sir."

"Thank god for that. Come on!"

As Faulkner strode through the camp to the other tent, he looked around for the first time and saw Hamilayan soldiers running around and dousing the fires with portable extinguishers. Medics and ordinary soldiers were loading screaming wounded into an Ironheart, and he turned away. Entering the communications tent, he was reassured to see that there was a full complement of personnel dutifully at their intact stations. Immediately upon entering a soldier handed him a radio headset.

"Sir, line for you. Colonel Barnes."

Recognising his CO with the main body of troops defending the road, Faulkner took it immediately. "This is Lieutenant-General Faulkner. Barnes?"

"Sir, we're under heavy attack. The enemy are advancing with all they've got, with air and light artillery support. About three divisions of armour so far, all more T-90s. A lot more infantry. We've had to pull back to the second defensive line. Requesting support now."

"Affirmative, Colonel. I'm calling in fire support from Defiance and the navy. Hang in there." Faulkner switched lines. "This is 68th to RHS Defiance. I need that fire I asked for, same coordinates as before. Repeat, need fire support, or we may lose our position."

"Copy that. Support is on the way."

At that moment, the guns of the Nagato-class superheavy battleship Defiance, as well as those of six Lord-class battleships, swiveled towards the battlefield over which ten divisions of Imperial troops were advancing. They'd never know what hit them.

ONS A-102

Then torpedos from submarine killed incoming “fatman”, as men had started calling huge torpedo who was attacking them, whole crew cheered. Minute later A-102 had reached to periscope depth and established connection with Olmedrecan satellites. As information about recent actions was sent to sats aide suddenly said:

“Captain, we intercepted a message, it seems to be directed to those unknown submarines which are at location, where we sunk the convoy.”

“Unknown subs? Those are obviously Hamilayan.”

“I seriously doubt it, considering what message Hamilayans sent to those subs.”

Captain read the message and said: “Inform Olmedreca about the change of situation, also ask if our way out is clear from surface ships. Oh, and ask them, were those who we attacked recently Hamilayans?”

“They say that we attacked Chevrockian convoy. Our way out from area is clear, but we are ordered to wait for few minutes before receiving new orders.”

Kuusk understood that this change in situation probably required attention of someone really importnant, maybe even General Tormilind from Military Intelligence would need to make the decision. Someone else was having submarines in Hamilayan waters, clear act of war, and now Hamilayans were trying to capture them. This situation was getting more and more complicated. Few minutes later new order arrived:

“Sir, orders from HQ"

Satellites have located two Hamilayan destroyers at coordinates XXX-XXX, they are moving to capture unknown submarines at location of remains of Chevrockian convoy. You must sink destroyers with missiles and after that return to Olmedreca for repairs.

Kuusk was clearly pissed: “Another attack? We already have done a lot more fighting then originally planned. Those dicks seem to be thinking that I am running around with some fucking battleship. Lets get done with it fastly.”

Soonly A-102 launched eight IAD-12 'Lance' (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10447045&postcount=2) anti-ship missiles on two Hamilayan destroyers. After finishing attack submarine slowed to silent speed, dived deep near ocean floor, and took direction to Olmedreca.

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

Drasgard, Olmedreca

General Ernst Tormilind, Head of Military Intelligence, had indeed given last order personally. Attacking Chevrockian convoy had not belonged to plan. On other hand, the fact that whole convoy with escorts was massacred will clearly have devastating results on Hamilayan trade as it is obvious for everyone that their seas are unsafe. But now some new players had entered the field with their submarines. This could mean radical change in situation.

"Unidentified submarine, you are in Hamilayan waters without clearance, which is an act of war. We have you in our sights and you are to surrender immediately. Officer staff are to come out on deck where we can see you, or we'll blow you out of the water."

Captain Jocham heard the call. This was a most unwelcome development. He had to think fast. The rest of the Wolf pakcs were still sliding around and could come to the rescue. He got on the comm.

Wolf Pack 2 this is Captain Jocham. Need immediate assistance, enemy vessels closing. Permission to engage recieved.

He ran out again to make sure he had gathered up all the survivors. As he did so he yelled at his second in command to be ready to dive.

Shakal U-303

The sub recieved the issue from help and began to lead the pack into missle range. As soon as they reached it they fired off 2 Tomahawk Cruise missles each at the Destroyers from underwater before speeding towards them still submerged.

In the water
Thirty kilometers East of Portsmouth

"Permission to speak freely, sir?" asked Master Chief Walker.

"Well, there's not an awful lot I can do to stop you, is there?" replied Captain Balkowiksch.

"Well, sir, this has got to be the biggest clusterfuck I've seen. We escort the freighters in, they get torpedoed and sunk. We stop to pick up survivors, we get torpedoed and sunk. We're sitting here floating in the ocean, and some other unknown subs surface nearby and say they're gonna help us. The Hamilayans show up, confront the subs, and they dive."

"Well, then we know one thing for sure," the Captain said. "Those subs more than likely aren't friendlies."

While they were observing the situation, Walker noticed something floating in the water that caught his eye. Dark blue with white and green stripes, with a cross. The Nordic cross. It was a Chevrokian flag, tattered, with burn marks, and he guessed it came from the Sveadahl. He dragged it aboard the liferaft, memories still fresh in his mind of the horrifying destruction of the ship, and all but two of her crew going down with it.


OOC: Better post(s) coming later.

RHS Michael Avery

"Contact, contact! We have incoming missiles from multiple directions!"

"What the hell's going on? Show me!"

"Five... no! Six missiles from here, eight from here," shouted an officer.

"Fire RAMs, fire RAMs now! Ready those Mark Twos!"

Seven RIM-118 IRAM missiles fired from each of the two launchers on both missile destroyers, twenty-eight missiles in total, targeted on both the Olmedrecan Lance missiles and Shakal Tomahawks. As the missiles made contact with their targets, the launchers automatically fired a second seven-round missile volley to engage the survivors, then opened fire with six 35mm CIWS batteries.

Whilst the barrage of point defence missiles was enough to overwhelm most of the incoming targets, as the Avery's crew watched in horror, one Lance, using its radar jamming, dodged the storm, jinked expertly to avoid a stream of CIWS fire and struck the Lewis directly on the conning tower, which exploded, apparently killing all aboard the bridge. The warship was seen to immediately slow to ALL STOP, and sat stagnant in the water, billowing black smoke across the waves.

"Charlotte Lewis, do you copy? Lewis, respond!"

There was no answer, and a brief parting of the clouds of smoke showed the tower was completely gone, and the forward superstructure was a smashed tangle of metal.

Captain Ramirez swore. "This is Ramirez, Task Force Thirty-Four to Portsmouth North. We are under attack, repeat, we are under attack by sea-launched guided missiles. Our vessel is still intact, but DDG-638 has been hit, no communications, appears heavily damaged. There are a lot more subs around here than we were previously informed of. I need reinforcements and salvage now!"

The pilots of the SH-60s had watched with alarm as their calls of surrender went unanswered and as they listened to the chaos from their parent ships under attack. Immediately both helicopter crews made the same snap decision. After one pilot counted to five in his head, the helicopters dropped three Mark 50 torpedoes each, after moving slowly forward now almost directly on top of the submarines by this time, and broke off, heading back to the ships.

From Portsmouth Naval Base North the location of Naval Headquarters and Home Fleet East, the commanding officer there thought along the same lines as Captain Ramirez. This was not good at all. It was time for drastic action and a show of force. With all military forces on heightened alert, three carrier battle groups from bases along the coast were ready to sail, and were detached from their parent fleet groups to move to the aid of the many stricken friendly vessels. Whilst this would provide any hunting submarines with many more targets, the Navy was prepared to make this trade-off so as to have many resources in place to immediately respond to and halt submarine attacks permanently, at least from a particular submarine.

68th Marine Division lines

A smoke grenade sailed through the air thrown from behind a boulder and burst ten metres in front of the second trench line. Corporal Robinson immediately dropped to one knee, taking out his P90, the antitank launcher having been long since discarded.

The Marines were hanging on by the skin of their teeth. Whilst a steady stream of fresh reinforcements were marching up from the beach, the air attack on the rear had disrupted that somewhat, and they simply weren't marching up fast enough to push back the Imperial numbers. The first phase line had been abandoned, at great cost, filled with the bodies of a brigade's worth of troops. Of course, the Imperial attackers had taken enormous casualties, the numbers of smoking tanks on the field having risen to about four hundred, but that was of little concern to Robinson at this time.

A shadow appeared from the edge of the cloud, and he immediately fired a three-round burst. It staggered and fell. More moving shapes appeared through the smoke, and Robinson jammed his finger down on the trigger, spraying fifty rounds in a wide arc. Screams ensued. His attention was suddenly drawn to a radio lying beside the lifeless body of its operator, which was squawking something. As two more soldiers ran up to lay covering fire along the small stretch of line, Robinson crouched down whilst reloading his weapon to listen to it.

"... artillery fire is incoming. Artillery fire in the zone. Take cover, take cover immediately. Do you copy? Lieutenant, what's your..."

Shit. As the whine of shells sounded overhead, Robinson had time to shout a warning to his two companions before diving to the ground. Then the first rounds, now increased to fire from a dozen capital ships, hit directly amongst the enemy forces advancing towards the Marines.

Robinson huddled down, in a vain attempt to shelter from the deafening noise of explosions. After a few seconds, with his ears ringing, he tentatively looked up.

"Mother of God!" the corporal whispered. The ground was exploding underneath the enemy's feet. The entire field was covered in the great plumes of smoke, dirt and dust that sprang up from shell impacts, which consumed tanks and groups of soldiers. The dull roar of the explosions drowned out all the other noises the enemy, and his comrades, for that matter, must be making at this moment. He'd seen more than enough, and ducked back down again with his hands over his head.

After a few minutes, the artillery fire lessened, then shifted away to the ridge to destroy the few retreating enemy. It was all over. The continuous rain of dozens of heavy naval guns had smashed the main enemy thrust and, more importantly, entire advancing divisions behind it, to pieces, and the ground was littered with charred wreckage and remains. The shelling ceased completely and Robinson watched as a dozen tanks and APCs, the remains of four divisions, struggled, many badly damaged, over the ridge, and for a moment he thought they would get away, until three Su-34s screamed over the horizon and blanketed the ridge with cluster bombs. All movement out on the field now ceased, save a few soldiers, against all odds, feebly attempting to stand.

North-West from Bastion

Five Olmedrecan attack submarines silently moved towards Hamilay. Currently they moved as silent and as deep as possible, to avoid any detection, because their mission required getting very close to Hamilay territory. This time it also meant getting close to Bastion naval base.

East from Portsmouth

A-102 was leaving the area, but Olmedrecan presence itsselfly actualy grew as six SSN’s, in two groups, entered to area. These submarines regularly rised to persicope depth to get updates from satellites. Hamilayan carrier groups had been noticed, instead of pulling back, Olmedrecan Admirality ordered submarines to advance.

South-West from Georgia

On south new attack was already being prepared. A-5 and A-134 were quite far from Hamilay, they did not need to get close because their target was Hamilayan convoy which was also heading to some foreign state. It was time to test if RT-117 modifications had fixed problems, that had lowered efficiency of early version. Ailarthia Naval Yards specialists had assured that problem is fixed and torpedos will not follow ships faster than them any more. Admirality was sceptical about such promises, only way to be sure was to try it out.

Captain Mägi from A-134 looked at tactical display where enemy convoy was 220 kilometers away. That was even longer then RT-117 range but that did not matter as by enemy course was clear that they reach into torpedo range long before torpedo runs out of fuel. He asked from aide:
“Have you calculated meeting point between torpedos and enemy convoy?”

“Yes sir, if convoy continues moving in same direction as previously, we do not see any reason why it should change course, then they will meet our torpedos there in some hours.”, answered aide.

“Excellent, sent killing point coordinates to A-5 and lets kill those suckers.”

Five minutes later two submarines launched total 10 long range RT-117 torpedos on enemy convoy. After attack submarines did not start leaving area as all had done previously, instead they took course to north, towards Bastion. They had no intention to continue messing with this convoy, but their mission was not over yet.

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

General Tormilind watched satellite images of destruction of Imperial forces near beach. Imperialists clearly lacked spy satellites. In this matter he could help them. Also maybe it would be possible to send other kind of support to them. Soonly highly encrypted message was sent:

From: Olmedreca
To: Empire of Hamilay

We have noticed that you seem to lack effective satellite intelligence network. Olmedreca is ready to help you with this problem. This message includes images of all Federal deployments near Empire just 30 minutes ago. We may be able to continue such aid if you give positive answer and make sure that origin of those images will not leak to any third party. Also we may able to transport some supplies to you, but for that we need to know which Empire’s port would be most useful for that?

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

Ooc: If anyone wants to intercept my submarines before they reach to their targets, then feel free. If not then in my next post they will reach to attack position and start attacking. Only that attack on convoy I did anyway because it seemed rather high possibility that my submarines can get to 220 kilometers from some convoy.
Also if anyone wants to continue hunt of A-102 then make IC post about that and I will reply, I am pulling it out I do not have any reason to post about its movements unless someone attacks it.

Shakal U-122

The enemy attack was mostly avoided, but one submarine was destroyed. Thankfully the attack on the ships helped distract them some. Captain Jocham ordered a firing of three sub suface launching anti-shipping missles at the unhit vessel. They were essentially torpedoes except they flew only feet off the water guided so as to not be hit by waves or enemy defence systems. They would take out the second ship. Just when Jocham thought things couldnt get worse he got word of the Carrier Battle groups of Hamilay taking to see. He slammed his first down. The only news that kept him from yelling at some inatimate object was that the Shakal fleet was on its way, it would be more than enough to take on the enemy carrier fleets.


Bridge Of SIN Samantha

Grand Admiral Samantha Conners stood on the bridge of the Shakal flagship destined for Hamilay the second time. The ship had been hit hard last time, this time however, things would be diffrent. The Shakal wolf packs would clear a small path to allow the Shakal fleet to move in. Then the subs would begin to prey on merchant shipping to cripple the republic economy. Beside her stood Grosse Feld Marschall Mannstein. He had led the Shakal land forces last time and was proving sucessful. Now he would begin again. The ship headed out followed by the rest of the fleet, including 3 Strongpoint Ships dubbed, The Nuclear Bomb of the Ocean. Since it carries some twelve thousand missles including twenty nuclear devices. Its main purpose was to cover the fleets approch and take out any long range threats. The Grand Admiral watched out the back window of the bridge as the fleet fell in behind her. It was the largest the Shakal had ever sent on campaign, excluding assult boats and other tiny insignificant vessels it numbered some three hundred and fifty ships. All would make there way to Hamilay and find a suitable place for the landing of the Expiditionary Armee.

Official State Communiqué
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j118/ChevyRocks/ChevrokianCoatofArms.png
To: The Federal Republic of Hamilay
From: The Chevrokian Republic

No doubt by now you are aware that recently, several Chevrokian vessels, both military and civilian, were attacked and sunk off the Hamilayan coast near the city of Portsmouth. Personally, we are appalled by this attack, which is a gross violation of both Chevrokian neutrality and of Hamilay's right to conduct trade with other nations.

Therefore, with the approval of the Chevrokian Senate, it is our intent to carry out operations in and around the Federal Republic of Hamilay, against nations or groups who attempt to interfere with trade to and from Hamilay. Thus, we wish to inquire as to the availability of any adjacent air and naval facilities in Hamilay that we could use as a staging base for our operations.

Additionally, regarding the previously mentioned attack on Chevrokian vessels, if you have any information as to the whereabouts of any survivors and/or the submarine that attacked the ships, it would be greatly appreciated.

OOC: Sorry for the delay. I got a little bit carried away last night with starting on my tank design, and now I've done no study and there are three tests tomorrow. Proper IC post up later this week.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/HamilayBlueNormal.gif

To: The Chevrokian Republic
From: The Federal Republic of Hamilay, Ministry of Defence/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Republic is indeed aware of the attacks on Chevrokian vessels off Hamilay's east coast, and extends its condolences towards your sailors. We sincerely regret our efforts have been unsuccessful in protecting your merchant ships, and naval patrols in the area are being placed on high alert. The Chevrokian Republic's aid in defending shipping to and from Hamilay is appreciated, and our resources will be placed at your disposal. Portsmouth is the headquarters of the Home Fleet East defence sector, being the major city along the east coast of the Republic, and as such has many naval and air facilities available. Your ships are welcome to stage out of Portsmouth North Naval Station, and other facilities will be made available should you wish to conduct operations to defend your shipping on other stretches of the Hamilayan coast.

Regarding the whereabouts of your sailors, survivors have been located and two frigate in the area have been dispatched to pick them up. The submarine that attacked your vessels has eluded us; however, other unidentified submarines were detected surfacing to rescue your sailors. After being fired upon by these vessels, we were unfortunately forced to return their sentiment and disrupt their rescue efforts. However, rest assured that Hamilayan forces are moving to rescue all survivors immediately. This incident shows that there may be forces of multiple nations operating in the area, and three submarines were detected at this point. One kill has been confirmed, which leaves at least three and most likely more apparently hostile submarines off the coast of Portsmouth.

TO: The Federal Republic of Hamilay, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
FROM: Lyran Diplomatic Corps

Minister

I am corresponding with you in order to secure normalisation of relations at the conclusion of hostilities in the Londimian theatre.

We regret that the action taken caused the loss of life that it did, and given the newfound stability within the theatre of conflict, we feel that the time to move on is well and truly upon us.

To that end, I convey Warmarshall Krell's regards, and his desire to assist the Federal Republic by way of materiel support in the campaign to suppress those who would refute the rule of law.

Please let us know of your needs, such as we are able to meet, and we will do our best to meet them.

Stand undaunted.

General Wallins
Commander
Lyran Diplomatic Corps
Bredubar
Protectorate of Lyras

RNS Reprisal (SDGN-2)
Flagship, Task Force 3
On the High Seas

Admiral Christopher Mølstad couldn't help but smile. His ships were finally going into a proper shooting war. Not training along the Chevrokian coast, not loitering in the middle of the sea, but an honest-to-God shooting war. The major warships of the Republic Navy hadn't been in combat since the Beltway-Gilabad War, quite a long time before. And even then, really the only combat that occured was a short, but vicious air battle near the fleet. Gilabad sued for peace before the bulk of the Chevrokian forces could be deployed to the region.

He also smiled because those ships and aircraft were positively obsolete compared to his force. Flanking Reprisal were the big fleet carriers Kári and Sleipnir and the escort carriers Avenger and Hunter. Ahead of him was the heavy cruiser Dar es Salaam, and outside the carriers the fast battleships Andrews and Wilkes. The light cruisers Alexandria, Thermopylæ, Lawrence and Hedmark, the fleet destroyers Lindi, Princeton, Kensington, Montevideo, Gascoyne, Venturia, Narvik, and Norrbotten, and the ASW destroyers Enterprise, Typhoon, Dispatcher, and Triumph rounded out the list.

"Admiral?"

"Yes, what is it, Captain Harris?"

"Radar reports thirteen contacts, high altitude, heading approximately west at high speed. Should be passing over us soon..."

Even over the noise of the sea and the ship's various bits of machinery and other equipment, the two could clearly hear the rumble coming from the high-altitude sonic booms. Looking up, Mølstad could see faint contrails high, like arrows pointing across the sky to their source.

"Valkyries, I presume. Should be interesting to see if they'll be as useful as Vice Admiral Orpheus hopes. Stand-off range air-launched torpedoes are certainly a good theory."

He pondered for a moment, gazing over the bow of his superdreadnought, her massive forward 30.5" triple turret, VLS battery, and assorted secondary guns and close-in weaponry.

"So what's the word on everything else being sent in, Admiral?"

"Well, three squadrons of them Valks and three more of PB-87s. RAF is sending three squadrons of KC-167 tankers, and they'll be rotating two squadrons of C-150s in and out, hauling in the heavy equipment. Then two squadrons of C-155s rotating in and out, bringing in personnel and light equipment. Plus the aerial elements of the 6th Marine Division, actually..." he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and read over it, "...the entire 6th Marine Division, save for their Light Armored Regiment, they haven't yet got their amphib tanks. And apparently the Army's 36th Mechanized, too."

"What do we need all those ground forces for, sir?"

"To defend our staging bases, of course," the Admiral smiled and laughed. "Nah, I think what they're really intending is for the 6th and 36th to take some of the watch for Portsmouth, and let the Hamilayans re-deploy whatever forces they have in the area to their front against the Imperials. Get this mess over with sooner."

[OOC: Better post coming later. One of the Valks overflying them is actually an SST carrying several of the Chevrokian commanders for their forces in Hamilay, and should be arriving in Portsmouth fairly soon.]

Shakal Flagship, Samantha

The ship moved forward towards the Empire. The bow of the huge vessel sliced through the water. Ahead of her the Grand Admiral saw the dozens of Destroyers and a pair of light cruisers sliding through the water quietly. The bridge of the Samantha was brimming with activity. The crew was acertaining enemy positions and naval forces. The fleets mission was to deliver the men to the Empire then secure the seas.

"Grand Admiral, we are approching Hamilayan waters." An ensign said. "No sign of enemy naval forces intercepting. All wolf packs operating on merchant vessels." He added.

"Good." Samantha said nodding. "When can we expect to reach Imperial shores?" She asked.

"At this rate within two days." The ensign responded.

"Good." Samantha said sitting in her captains chair. The Grosse Feld Marschall was in his room planning for the defeat of the Hamilayan land forces. The 9th Armee would play a defensive campaign until more help from other nations arrived. "Are any Carrier groups within air striking distance?" She asked hopeing for a good answer.

"No." The ensign responded.

Samantha simply nodded. She may have been a mere 19 years old, and had the mind of any normal young woman, but she was serious and cold when it came to war. Her mission ws top priority, aside from the defence of the Empire itself nothing overtook this in importance. She decided to message Admiral Thoma and make sure his fleet sector was totally secure. The single downfall of a three hundred and fifty vessel fleet was that it needed massive and awsome powers to control and maintain cohesion. A task that only Grand Admiral Conners was equal to.

At this point, the core of the Grand Fleet, including the Navarine and a few other hastily assembled capital ships, was only a day or so away from combat range at full speed. They were slowing down, both to gauge the Hamilayan reaction and to allow some time for the Shakal to catch up - if it came to a battle, after all, it would be better to combine forces then to allow the Hamilayans to fight one fleet after another. And Arvando was still almost hoping that the Hamilayans would rather give up their aspirations against the Empire rather than face another war, though it didn't look that way.

The Fleet comprised several hundreds of vessels, not counting the submarine flotilla which the Hamilayans no doubt could guess was present, but would probably be unable to number in any precise fashion. Fourteen supercarriers - two had been detached from assignments in the Gulf of Aden to join the rest - and a large number of cruisers and destroyers made up the bulk of the Fleet's strength, with a relatively small battleship arm of only a few vessels besides the Navarine herself. That was another good reason to slow down and take it slow - it would be suicide for such a formation to come within close gun range of the heavy Hamilayan battleships.

Combat air patrols tightened and grew more numerous as the Fleet drew nearer to Hamilay, Doomani-built Aquila fighters slicing through the skies to ward off any hostile aircraft while naval strike fighters were kept in constant states of readiness for a Hamilayan strike. Submarines roamed the seas well in advance of the Fleet, some hundreds of kilometers out in front to provide a dangerous screen against any Hamilayan surface combatants, as well as to help keep tabs on any Hamilayan subsurface attempts to sneak in closer. The surface vessels spread out, taking up a formation more similar to fourteen separate carrier battle groups than a single unified group, each carrier and its escorts taking responsibility for a section of the front, while the battle arm came on behind.

Orbat:
1 Pacitalia-class galleon (flagship)
8 Kristik-class light battleships
14 Indestructable-class supercarriers (~120 aircraft each)
80 Carrenzei-class heavy guided missile cruisers
125 Ilium-class guided missile destroyers
120 Paramount-class air defense vessels
10 Siren-class fleet signals vessels
100 Pepperbox-class LSVs
50 Azores fast attack craft
98 Cartagena-class SSNs
36 Tenerife-class SSHNs
A number of smaller landing, troop transport, etc vessels

Official State Communiqué
http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j118/ChevyRocks/ChevrokianCoatofArms.png
To: The Federal Republic of Hamilay
From: The Chevrokian Republic

We were interested in transporting two of our ground forces divisions, the 6th Marine Division and the Army's 36th Mechanized Division, to the city of Portsmouth and the area nearby, partly to serve as a ground defense for our upcoming staging bases, and partly to allow at least some Hamilayan forces to transfer to the fight against the Imperials, and hopefully, helping to end this conflict sooner. We may decide to send additional forces, depending on the strategic situation. Would this be something Hamilay would be interested in?

The Presidential Palace's 'control room' was actually one part of a large bunker complex extending through the Sayenna Government District, forming an underground link to the Ministry of Defence and its own underground emergency facilities. The subterranean office now in use by the President was out of place amongst the high-ceilinged command centre of military communications and computer terminals on the other side of the one-way glass, with nice hardwood furniture in the same scheme as the President's normal office. No garden views, though. the President thought. What a nuisance, but the Empire had nuclear and chemical ballistic missiles, and whilst even the commanders with the worst opinion of the Empire didn't think they'd be insane enough to use, and, for that matter, completely waste against the GSMDP system, said missiles, it never hurt to be careful.

"Mr President, satellite imagery shows large battle fleets on a course for Hamilay. En route from New Manth and Shakal. It appears they've come to finish what they started."

The President sighed. "Deja vu. Well, this time we'll be ready for the bastards. Go on, Minister."

"Over six hundred ships, when combined, which we're sure they'll do. Now, I can call up immediately... oh, say, perhaps four hundred. Four hundred fifty. We have the best of the Navy still in port, the new Aequatian ships haven't had much to do, so that's fortunate. As you can see, we are obviously outnumbered from what we can immediately call to match them, but our six combat-ready Nagatos should be able to make up some of the difference, with land-based defences and aircraft the rest."

"This is going to be extremely unpleasant. What do we have in the way of reserves?"

"Perhaps I'd better sit down?" said the Minister of Defence, and he did so without waiting for an answer. He tapped a button on the President's desk, and a screen behind him came up with boxes of information and diagrams of weapons.

"Now, as you can see here, the current total naval strength is approximately eighty battle groups, which translates to about twelve hundred subs and surface combatants of frigate size or higher. There are two hundred vessels in Vetaka, and there are about a hundred still being patched up after Londim from the First, which is still rather fractured. That leaves nine hundred combat ships, of which one hundred are currently in Sector South, two hundred with Sector West, one hundred with Sector East and the remaining five hundred or so are on operation against the Empire and inter-sector protecting our shipping."

"Why can't we pull a few more off to counter the gigantic fleets trying to attack us?"

"This of course depends on where they land, Mr President. We expect they'll move to the aid of the Empire straight up, not surprisingly. An assault on Portsmouth would stagnate if it succeeded. The best of the Navy is ready for them off Valencia, and ships are being pulled off Home Fleet East and North duty to back them up. I misspoke earlier; with time, we can prepare a fleet that outnumbers what we see of the attackers by ten groups or so. However, once they initially enter Hamilayan waters, our first encounter with them will have us at a numerical disadvantage."

The President, somewhat to the Defence Minister's surprise, relaxed. "That's better than I hoped. Now, we have to be ready for an invasion, in case this is a feint. I recall our reservists were being called up, due to the Vetakan thing. How's that going?"

"On schedule. Four million of your twenty-two million target are now prepared, as well as possible, for frontline combat duty, and a further ten million are being trained and equipped now."

"I want the Empire finished as swiftly as possible. Our focus on Valencia stands. If we can crush them, perhaps we'll dissuade the Manth and Shakal from going to all this bother. Begin shifting our regular armed forces and reservists to Serrinha-Rancona line. Oh, by the way, how is the Cataphract project going?"

"Almost done. We expect to announce it within the next day or two, and our factories are working overtime to get them out to our fighting divisions. It'll be interesting to see how they perform."

The Imperial navy eviscerated and the beach secure, the bulk of the Hamilayan navy in Sector North began to sail east, to link up with other naval vessels from East to immediately meet the incoming threat once they entered Hamilayan waters. This time, the enemy would face something much more dangerous than the last Civil War; Hamilayan air power. With the airfields destroyed or cut off, the Republic's air forces played a small part in the war, but this time around was different. Two thousand Su-47, FH-48, MiG-39 and F-19 fighters amongst others were now being rebased to the northeast to launch strikes from the land against the enemy fleet aircraft, to clear the way for the real air attackers; four hundred Tu-160 Blackjack heavy bombers, and numbers rising. No half measures today. The Hamilayan military had seen the devastating effect mass cruise missile strikes had on enemy warships in Londim, and although they had no Manticores, ground based cruise missiles and five thousand Kh-55s would suffice.

OOC: Response to ChevyRocks, updates on empire ground war and proper orbat coming later

Near Tule Islands, Olmedreca

Black private plane was approaching runway of military base airfield near Skeltar. As only passanger of plane looked out of window he saw hunderds of ships. This armada had gathered near Tule Islands recently. Now it was moving out. Majestetic Duke class heavy battleships could be seen among others. Around them there scores of smaller ships from frigates to aircraft carriers.

Of course it is impossible to hide such force gathering. Official reason was large scale exercises near southern coast of Olmedreca. For average person that explanation worked well. Airforce was already conduction exercises in area, having gathered even few hunderd B-22 heavy bombers to there. Also coastal defence guns and missile batteries had conducted series of training shootings. So it was completely reasonable to believe that fleet will also participate there. That was a lie.

Recently Olmedrecan relations with The World Soviet Party had clearly worsened. Olmedreca has been anti-communistic for decades, belonging to anti-communist alliances like ACTO and ACA. After the start of Clandonia-TWSP crisis, Olmedreca declared full embargo on Soviets and their Cynapsia allies. Now among officers were rumors that armada had gathered for giving Soviets decisive lesson. Maps of The World Soviet Party coastline had been sent to marine commanders. It was all secret of course, but determined foreign intelligence agency could most likely find it out. That was also a lie.

Only handful persons at top of Olmedrecan military hierarchy knew the truth. Passenger on black private plane, General Ernst Tormilind, Chief of Military Intelligence, was among those few. Olmedrecan participation in Hamilay affair, including its unrestricted submarine warfare, was highly guarded secret. Also government had not made any pro-imperialist statements recently to avoid unneccessary Hamilayan attention. But now was time for decisive move in Hamilay affair. That was the truth behind all the lies.

Apologies, Lyras, missed your post.

"Mr President, there's a communique for you to see."

"All right, all right, Rob, give it here." The President extended his hand and glanced at the paper passed to him. His face rapidly contorted into puzzlement, then shock.

"Lyras? What on earth are they playing at? We were at a de facto state of war a few months ago, and now they want to help us with our little problems? No strings attached?"

"Who says there aren't? They just haven't told us. I remember that we didn't actually exchange any shots with Lyrans in Londim, so there's a lot less trouble there than might have been."

"True, true. What do you advise, Rob?"

"Well, what they're offering is still unclear. Materiel or men? If the latter, I'm not sure if the time is right to trust Lyran troops on our soil."

"I agree, but they could come in handy. We don't need more tanks and funds, we have plenty. What we really need is warships, but I'm not sure what the Lyran shipbuilding industry is like. I think at the moment troops are what would be most useful to us, really."

The Foreign Minister grimaced. "I don't like it, Mr President. Maybe just a small commitment at first, so they don't turn and stab us in the back with a dagger of any great size. Let them prove their loyalty."

"Personally, I don't think Lyras needs to prove their loyalty, but you make a fair point. Send this off...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/HamilayBlueSmaller.gif

From: The Federal Republic of Hamilay
To: General Wallins, Protectorate of Lyras

The Federal Republic is also keen on the normalisation of relations between our nations. To our knowledge, in the Londim Crisis, casualties caused by Lyran fighting Hamilayan were minimal, if any, and we find that our interests in the area have been satisfactorily served, whilst retaining the sovereignty of Londim. We thank the Protectorate for their assistance in quelling the uprising within the Federal Republic. At the moment, we are not in need of equipment, but a moderate amount of on-site military assistance and reinforcements would be useful, if you can spare it.

The President of the Federal Republic of Hamilay
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/Presidentsignature.jpg

"... ah, yes, and something else, from the Chevrokians."

"More diplomacy. Let's see...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/HamilayBlueSmaller.gif

From: The Federal Republic of Hamilay
To: The Chevrokian Republic

This would be a useful proposal for Hamilay, and we extend our thanks. Despite this, we must warn you that this conflict may escalate into something much larger and bloodier. Significant numbers of foreign warships have been detected approaching the Hamilayan coast, clearly to aid the Empire. Your soldiers, if based in Portsmouth, may face attack of their own, although this is unlikely. If you decide not to send ground forces, Hamilayan troops will defend your bases to the last. However, we reiterate that a Chevrokian military commitment on the ground would be of benefit to the Republic's cause.

The President of the Federal Republic of Hamilay
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/Presidentsignature.jpg

Chevrokian HQ, Hamilayan Theatre
Portsmouth, F.R.H.

"This business will get out of control, it will get out of control and we'll be lucky to live through it!"

"Admiral...uh, welcome to our HQ. What seems to be the trouble?"

"SecDef has kindly informed me that there's a couple'a hundred enemy vessels heading towards Hamilay at the moment. They spotted them from an overhead sat, after they had been following Taffy 3's progress."

Admiral Christopher Mølstad had just arrived in the Chevrokian HQ after a flight by V-22 from his flagship Reprisal, which along with the rest of Task Force 3, was patrolling east of Portsmouth, waiting for further orders. In the room along with him was the Air Forces Commander, General Francis Alaric Matovich of the RAF, and the Ground Forces Commander, General Andrew MacMillin of the Republic Marines.

"Sounds about right, Admiral," said MacMillin. "We got a response back from the Hamilayans, and we have a go to bring in ground forces. They warn that the conflict may escalate, which I'm guessing is what you're dwelling on now, Admiral."

"Yes...well, it doesn't matter. We've got a job to do, let's get to it. General MacMillin, what's our ground force situation at the moment?"

"Well...all of the 6th Marines air defense units are in, plus some of their arty units. Their fighters should be here shortly, they're making the long ferry across the ocean."

"So, how do they intend to move the entire 6th and the 36th over here? With all the unknown subs in the area, I doubt SecDef will want to send transports over."

"They won't, Admiral," said General Matovich. "They're sending them via air-freight."

"Christ, two entire divisions shipped by air? And mechanized divisions, too! They're gonna need..."

"...alot of planes. Yes, Admiral, I know. The word I'm getting from SecDef is that there's going to be an awful lot more transports and tankers involved in this operation than initially planned. They're gonna try and set it up such that after two squadrons of C-150s arrive, unload, and depart, another two will show up. They'll be running them in and out non-stop. C-155s will be bringing the associated personnel in prior to their equipment arriving. Once the Marine fighters show up, they're gonna be patrolling the air corridor in and around Portsmouth."

"Anything else?"

"Yes, Admiral. Um, all three of the Valk squadrons have arrived and are getting set up, same with the three original tanker squadrons. Some of the PB-87s have arrived, the rest are on their way."

"Right, here's we're gonna do. I want the most ready B-70s checked out, fueled up, and out on patrol. From their altitude, their radar coverage is pretty good, we should be able to spot the enemy fleets from quite a ways off and get a good warning. Which reminds me, why don't we have any AWACS planes? General Matovich, tell SecDef we're gonna need some AWACS too."

40 kilometres west of Valencia

Forty LY4 Wolfhounds of the 1458th Tank Regiment of the 199th Armoured Division rolled down the highway, supported by armoured fighting vehicles and infantry. Morale amongst the regiment was high, as it would be for leading the charge into enemy territory. Whilst the Marines had fired the first shots on the ground, they had taken over four thousand casualties, and were licking their wounds. It fell to the 199th to take the fight to the enemy. Abruptly, the tanks stopped, and the first tank's hatch popped open.

Major Dennis, the regiment's commander, looked out the vehicle's hatch at the scenery around, which wasn't much. What a bloody depressing place. He raised his binoculars to his eyes and looked at the road ahead. There. Several hundred metres away were the enemy rearguard displayed on the Warhounds' electronics by spy satellites. DMG Tigers, by the looks of it, most likely pilfered from the National Guard. He could also make out a few infantry running around, but not many. Dennis took out his radio.

"Regiment, we have visual confirmation of hostiles. Spread out, hit 'em hard and keep advancing. Line formation. Fire the ATGMs and use guns within two hundred metres. Let's do this."

A chorus of acknowledgements replied. Dennis was a former National Guard, without too much field tank experience, but he'd won the respect of his men for proving to be decisive, intelligent and a fast learner. He ducked back into the tank and closed the hatch.

"All right, captain, bring us forward."

The lead tank of the 1485th Regiment sprung forward, followed by its forty companions, which quickly abandoned their column formation and spread out into a rough line. A few missiles shot out from in the distance, but smoke and chaff grenades filled the field, and the WATCHKEEPER systems of the vehicles managed to take care of all of them. The Warhounds' own antitank missiles fired, conversely scoring several kills. Then, the tanks were through the smoke and directly in front of the enemy, who, blessedly, hadn't had time to prepare proper defensive positions.

The Tigers' guns were firing rapidly, and managed to hit many of their opponents, but their shells mostly failed to penetrate the enemy vehicles' armour although one Wolfhound took a direct hit on the fuel tank and went up in flames. The Wolfhounds' guns fired almost as one, and twenty-nine Tiger tanks turned into fireballs. Their coaxial cannons and turret-mounted machine guns opened up on the infantry firing impotently with AT-4s at the vehicles, sending them scrambling for cover. The tanks now began exchanging brutal close-range fire with one another, and the Wolfhounds were further demonstrating their superiority over old Tigers, their armour stopping most of the 120mm rounds whilst the ETC-assisted weapons of the Wolfhounds tore through the enemy armour, having not been maintained particularly well. Two more tanks fell to close-range fire from Tigers, but now the infantry carriers of the regiment rolled in behind the tanks, with troops jumping out, their ATGLs already firing. Another dozen Tigers were now smoking ruins, and the enemy brigade had had more than enough. The last twenty or thirty tanks fired smoke grenades to cover their retreat and fell back along the road, the Warhounds' fire following them nonetheless. Infantry that tried to follow were cut down by autocannon or rifle fire, most deciding to lay down their arms and surrender. Two gunships appeared overhead, swinging off in pursuit of the enemy tanks.

"Well done, regiment! Great work!" Dennis shouted over the radio. "Let the 144th mop up. Keep moving, we've got them on the run!"

From: The Federal Republic of Hamilay
To: General Wallins, Protectorate of Lyras

The Federal Republic is also keen on the normalisation of relations between our nations. To our knowledge, in the Londim Crisis, casualties caused by Lyran fighting Hamilayan were minimal, if any, and we find that our interests in the area have been satisfactorily served, whilst retaining the sovereignty of Londim. We thank the Protectorate for their assistance in quelling the uprising within the Federal Republic. At the moment, we are not in need of equipment, but a moderate amount of on-site military assistance and reinforcements would be useful, if you can spare it.

The President of the Federal Republic of Hamilay


The response was faster than the diplomatic branch of the Lyran Protectorate had expected. General Wallins, a very patient man by inclination, had often found that his job seemed only like a glorified courier. Give a message to such-and-such, await their reply, relay it back to the Warmarshall.

This time, he was free to proceed at his discretion. It was a pleasant change to say the least.

The communique in his hands was, more or less, as he expected. Hamilay was open to Lyran assistance, but the relationship was in its infancy once again. Trust was a fragile thing, and harder still to rebuild once the proverbial earth had been salted.

Still... not much was at stake for Lyras, just yet. And an awful lot stood to be gained.

"Captain Macmillan, prepare to type. I have a return message for the Hamilayans."

"Aye, sir, standing by."

"TO: The Federal Republic of Hamilay
FROM: Lyran Diplomatic Corps

Preliminary analysis of your strategic situation has determined that the primary threat to the Republic is not so much the Imperial remnant that has reared its ugly head to plague you anew, but more the nations falling over themselves to "assist the Hamilayan people" by restoring the "rightful rulers".

Pretexts for aggression, they might be, but pretexts that are justifying actions that run contrary to good order. We have examined you, not so much through the magnifying glass as over a gunsight, both as a people, and as a state. Examined you not just by your words but by your actions, and, regardless of the disagreements we have had, you have conducted yourselves with courage, skill and, most importantly, honour.

Those that fight you, now, using your domestic trouble as excuse and rationale, do so without honour. It is not the action of warriors, but of cowards. Of people who envy your power, and fear your strength.

Their strength is great.

But so is their vulnerability. They invest resources on a tremendous scale, trail their fleets near your coast confident in their own invulnerability. Untold billions in currency, vast quantities of time and staggering personnel resources sit within striking distance. You have seen the effect of that which we refer to, when your erstwhile allies, Avrison, sought to subdue Londim.

Potent though the navy of Londim was, it was not the gallant, reckless sacrifice of their fleet that held the Avrisonian 7th at bay, nor convinced others to change their course. The blade that struck from Londim's shore was
Lyras', and it is that blade that we offer to you.

Four corps of LY300 Manticores, that being 3888 vehicles, have been despatched by Lyran-flagged convoy to Hamilayan controlled ports. We have a virtually bottomless pit of the things, and if a hostile nation so much as scratches the paint on one of our ships, we have casus belli. Then they who struck against us will be at war with Lyras, rather than simply fighting that which we have provided you.

We needn't tell you what we suggest you do with that which we provide. We know that you sought - indeed, seek - men to defend your shores. Fear not. Should that which we give be turned from its path, Lyran blood will be spilt in your name.

Honour guide you, and stand undaunted.

General Wallins
Director
Lyran Diplomatic Corps
Bredubar
Protectorate of Lyras"

"I have it, sir."

"Very good, Captain. Ensure that goes out encrypted (OOC: that means the above is SIC), and send when ready."

"Message away."

"You may wish to inform Field Marshal Ward that he may have another job to do..."

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/HamilayBlueSmaller.gif

From: The Federal Republic of Hamilay
To: General Wallins, Protectorate of Lyras, Diplomatic Corps

We have seen first-hand the power of massed missile strikes against navies, especially, of course, that of the LY300 Manticore system in particular. Your offer of a significant amount of vehicles is greatly appreciated, as we are lacking somewhat in multiple rocket launch systems, and have no dedicated vehicle for launching antishipping cruise missiles. These will be put to good use. As we are now doing for all foreign shipping, we must warn you of the danger your transports will be placed in. The submarines operating against Hamilayan warships are as of yet unidentified, though there are only a few likely candidate nations, and Hamilay has not been able to retaliate. Other hostile submarines have been neutralised, but we suspect that they are operated by a different power than those conducting raids on merchant shipping. Due to the nature of their cargo, obviously, Lyran vessels moving through Hamilayan waters will be provided with as much protection by Hamilayan naval forces as possible. Advise that Castell (http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/Hamilay.jpg) will be ideal location for offloading of materiel.

Again, Hamilay thanks Lyras for its assistance in ending this dishonourable and illegal insurgency, and defending the Republic's national sovereignty from overzealous nations. We hope for Hamilayan-Lyran relations to be speedily normalised, which, through your generosity, it appears they essentially are, and look forward to strengthening our ties.

The President of the Federal Republic of Hamilay
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/Presidentsignature.jpg

Drasgard, Olmedreca

Admiral Hanno Odavars looked at strategical display which showed whole Hamilay. Recent change of situation had caused several changes in plans. Six submarines which had been heading towards Portsmouth had been redirected to sea north from Hamilay, this was caused by unexpected Chevrockian intervention. Escalating that conflict would not serve Olmedrecan interests.

But one part of submarine plan continued unabated. Olmedrecan submarines were approaching to Bastion island, five submarines arrived from north, another two which had already launched torpedoes on one convoy, from south. Target was same, main Hamilayan naval base at Bastion. As submarines reached to firing position, attack started. Those were all Type IX attack submarines, carrying large amount of missiles, it was time for little show of force and terror. Fastly total 252 Lance anti-ship missile were fired, main targets were capital ships, especially aircraft carriers. As it was obvious that Hamilayans will attempt revenge submarines submerged immediately after launching last missile ands started slowly heading away from Bastion.

Another wave of submarines were already approaching to Hamilay area, but these would be already in supportive role, because it will not take long anymore until Olmedrecan surface combatants will also reach to scene. Currently armada was still too far away for fitting into display Odavars was looking at the moment, but that will change. At about same then submarines were launching missiles, Olmedrecan fleet was changing course, it was time to reveal to everyone that it was not heading to The World Soviet Party, but to Hamilay. Currently course was set directly to Empire’s territory, Hanno looked at strategical display of Hamilay, it wont be long until fleet appears at North-West corner of it. As Hamilayans will probably soon notice the approaching fleet, official statement of foreign ministry could be expected at any minute. Admiral was obviously correct about that.

http://www.teachingreligion.com/images/satanism.gif

Official Olmedrecan Statement:

Olmedreca sees current Hamilay Republic campaign against Empire of Hamilay as completely unneccessary bloodshed, that is caused by some republican politicians who need to compensate their personal inferiority complex. It is obvious that conflict is currently damaging both sides. It kills best sons of Hamilay, and damages economy of both nations. To encourage participants for searching a peaceful agreement, we have sent fleet into area. We strongly hope that Federal Republic of Hamilay will use common sense, and reach to peaceful agreement with Empire as soon as possible, to stop this unneccessary tragedy.

Olmedrecan Foreign Ministry

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ooc: Hamilay, although my fleet is currently heading towards empire, could you give me short and rough overview of size of forces you have at Bastion island and close to it? Also how big is bastion population, and what is terrain on island generally? Im considering between several options currently ;)

Bridge Of Samantha

"AGAIN??? ARE YOU FU*KING KIDDING ME?" Yelled the Grand Admiral as she threw the computer out the open door. It feel almost 100m before hitting part of the ship. "SO HELP ME SWEET JESUS IF YOU ARE MISTAKEN! NOT EVEN THE EMPRESS WILL BE ABLE TO SAVE YOUR WORTHLESS HIDE!" She continued to scream at the man. He had just brought her news of the Shakal withdrawl, as it would be Wanderjar was now at war with The Peoples Freedom and this issue was much closer to home than Hamilay. She pushed the messenger out the door and he only barly saved himself from falling over the rail.

"Im Sorry!" He said as she came crashing out after him. She began to chase him down the steps before Manstein came out and gripped her arms to restrain her.

"CALM DOWN!" He said shaking her violently. "Its not a mistake, the fleet is gathering from all corners of the world. This war is much mor eimportant than some pathetic Hamilayans half the world away." The Grand Admiral continued to struggle but the Field Marschall managed to keep a strong grip on her. This matter made him even more angry than it did her. The Shakal fleet was turning about already bound for home.

"Admiral! Admiral!"

Arvando turned.

"What is it? Word from the Shakal fleet?"

"Sir... the Shakal are turning around. They are withdrawing."

"What? Have they sent any message?"

"Sir... no."

Arvando felt a sinking feeling. Without the Shakal fleet, his vessels on paper only barely matched the Hamilayans in the area for numbers, let alone the full Hamilayan fleet. And that was just numbers, not taking into account the large enemy advantage in superheavy battleships and capital ships.

"Are you sure?"

"They are on course to return to Shakal."

"Get me a secure line direct to Admiral Samantha."

"Sir. One second."

Arvando paced over to the communications console.

"Admiral? This is Sash Arvando. I'm hoping you're about to reassure me that your recent maneuvers are a bluff of some kind..."

"Admiral! Admiral!"

Arvando turned.

"What is it? Word from the Shakal fleet?"

"Sir... the Shakal are turning around. They are withdrawing."

"What? Have they sent any message?"

"Sir... no."

Arvando felt a sinking feeling. Without the Shakal fleet, his vessels on paper only barely matched the Hamilayans in the area for numbers, let alone the full Hamilayan fleet. And that was just numbers, not taking into account the large enemy advantage in superheavy battleships and capital ships.

"Are you sure?"

"They are on course to return to Shakal."

"Get me a secure line direct to Admiral Samantha."

"Sir. One second."

Arvando paced over to the communications console.

"Admiral? This is Sash Arvando. I'm hoping you're about to reassure me that your recent maneuvers are a bluff of some kind..."

The Grand Admiral heard the familiar voice of Admiral Arvando and calmed down. She remaind greatly angry and bitter. This was not a matter she liked one bit.

"It is good to speak with you again Admiral, but I am afraid this is not a bluff, our forces are to return for the war with The Peoples Freedom. They have attacked a close ally and we cant do anything but help them. Im afraid youll have to go this one alone for now." The Grand Admiral made sure the channel was secured on unimaginable levels. "However, three dozen of our subs can remain behind to assist in any way possible. We are also carrying a hundred New Manth marked aircraft with all weapons for you to use." She said to him. "Other than that, I am sorry, we cannot offer anything."

Chevrokian HQ, Hamilayan Theatre
Portsmouth, F.R.H.

General Matovich was having difficulty keeping his composure. Despite being involved in an extremely serious situation, the cargo onboard the C-150A airlifter in front of him was causing him to laugh. It wasn't the cargo specifically, but rather, how it had arrived in Portsmouth.

"All right, Francis, what's so damned funny?" asked Admiral Mølstad.

"Well, Admiral, look what just arrived. Patrol hydrofoils...by air!"

Indeed, it was true. Four C-150s were parked on the ramp, their huge cargo doors open, revealing the 133-foot-long, 260-ton mass of a Republic Navy F-class patrol hydrofoil boat, intended, for this operation, to conduct short-range patrols near Portsmouth itself.

"I mean, they had to take down the radar masts, but they fit in there just great, Admiral."

"Yeah...we're gonna have some fun moving them down to the port, aren't we?" the Admiral remarked, sarcastically. In the distance, the thunder of Valkyries taking off and heading out to sea distracted him for a moment. "I notice we've got some AWACS, finally. When did they arrive?"

"Early this morning, Admiral. And we've got yet more air reinforcements on the way."

"More? Which ones?" he asked, as they began walking back to the HQ building.

"The 11th, 12th, and 13th Ground Attack Squadrons."

"CAS planes? What do we need them for?"

"To cover the increased ground forces, Admiral."

"Increased ... damn it, they had to go and do it, didn't they? General MacMillin, Francis here tells me you've got no simple operation any more, do you?"

"No, Admiral, not anymore. Word from SecDef, forces previously placed on alert for deployment to the Hamilayan theatre have been ordered in. The overall ground forces currently planned in Hamilay will be organized as the First Chevrokian Expeditionary Army, under my command. Broken down in to the First Corps, made up of the 6th Rifle Division and 6th Marine Division, and the Second Corps, made up of the 31st Armored Division and 36th Mechanized Division. Attached to them and giving support when needed will be the 9th Air Cavalry Division. Oh, and you should know the majority of the personnel of the 6th Marines has arrived, much their heavy equipment is still in transit, though."

"Right, then. Now, what's the situation with the shipwreck survivors?"

"Word is, Admiral, the Hamilayans have picked them up. Count is forty-nine thus far. Some of them are pretty banged up."

"Only forty-nine? Damn..." the Admiral stopped, thinking of the hundreds of men that must have died in the sinkings. "Very well, arrange to pick them up as soon as practical."

"Um, Admiral? I have another matter..." said General MacMillin.

"Yes, what is it, General?"

"We need maps. Good ones. We've got some basic ones that are available pretty much anywhere, but if we're gonna have five divisions of ground forces moving around this area, we're gonna need some detailed maps. Further, we should also get ahold of Hamilayan commanders, find out which locations in and around Portsmouth would be best to set up our forces, and if there are any areas they don't want us in."



(OOC: Hamilay, I hope it's not a problem that I RP'ed your guys as having picked up the survivors. I just figured that since the sub attacks off Portsmouth have stopped for the moment, that they would have had some time to pick them up. If it's a problem, I'll change it.)

Bastion

The Hamilayan naval forces in the Western Sector were at full combat alert, for obvious reasons. Whilst Naval Command at Bastion normally held a significant proportion of the Republic's naval strength, that number had been diminished after relocation to the north and east to meet most of the enemy forces. Those vessels had already departed, but a Fleet Battle Group remained at the island, under the command of Admiral Hall, which was now conducting routine patrols, with the bulk of the group still in port.

Grand Admiral McIver, the commander of the Hamilayan Navy, looked over the radar screens in the heart of the Naval High Command complex, sipping a cup of coffee. His spirits of late had been lifted, as the Admiral had just received news from the Air Force satellite units that the Shakal battle fleet had turned around and decided to head home, negating the enemy's numerical advantage in the east. The analysts said it was something to do with a war against Peoples Freedom, but that didn't concern him. They were leaving Hamilay, which was good enough. With some luck the Manthians would decide not to press their luck against the Hamilayan fleet with their diminished firepower.

The threat of an enemy landing, Manthian or otherwise, on Valencia still remained, as with several hundred ships still sailing around the Manthians, anyway, would be able to hold off Hamilayan forces for enough time to get troops on the ground. That would put a spanner in the works of RIGHTFUL HEIR, but McIver admitted guiltily that it wasn't really a concern to him. His problem was the Navy, and the operation didn't much affect the Navy. Right now, the conflict was still young, and more nations jumping in to aid the sorry Empire was still certainly plausible. That was why Hall was still here with the 7th, of course...

The Grand Admiral's thoughts were interrupted by wailing of sirens, and he glanced down at the radar screen. A mass of red dots had sprung out of nowhere, and was now moving at high speed towards friendlies marked on the display. A split second later, an officer burst through the door of the command centre.

"Grand Admiral sir, we're under attack! Enemy missiles are inbound, zones alpha-nine, delta-eleven!"

"Yes, I can see that! Commander!" He waved angrily to another officer who had been sitting nearby, and was now up on his feet. "Get on the line to the airfields, I want all those planes in the air. Contact the Air Force units and have them launch their planes too. I want those subs dead!" The lack of warning had naturally made the Grand Admiral and all others immediately assume submarine launches. "Fire up all defensive batteries. It's up to Hall now."

The one hundred ships, the unit being understrength, of the 7th Fleet Battle Group were not all in the same place, of course, some on patrol and the rest in varying ports mostly along the west coast of Bastion Island. Immediately, all warships received the warning of an enemy missile attack, and those further west who watched the missiles streak across the sky opened fire with their own missile defences. As the Lances continued east, both the warships in port, but more importantly, hundreds of ground-based RAM launchers and Army antimissile-antiaircraft vehicle batteries set to defend ships in harbour, fired with full force on the enemy weapons. With some kind of weapon, although many were simple flak guns, tracking almost every incoming missile, most were downed before they reached their targets. As they do, however, plenty of missiles got through, and explosions began. When the smoke cleared, the 7th was still a coherent fighting force, but losses remained not insubstantial, with eight vessels, mostly escorts, destroyed along with rather more crippled, including two aircraft carriers and a battleship.

The first aircraft on full emergency alert almost immediately took off to join those already on patrol, and a hundred attack aircraft armed with torpedoes and other ordnance suitable for fighting submarines were in the air, as with the lack of enemy surface activity, if there was a threat it had been deemed most likely to be subs. At the moment they were heading towards the location where all the missile launches were detected, not surprisingly. They were supported by a dozen antisubmarine helicopters, for now, launched from the Navy ships, also flying to the same target zone, but dropping sonobuoys like confetti along the way.

Portsmouth

FFG-656 Agility pulled up at Portsmouth North pier, an intact ship welcome sight after the depressing task of receiving the badly damaged destroyer Charlotte Lewis and a merchantman. Cranes turned to lift crates of ammunition and supplies onto the ship. The gangplank came down, and half a dozen sailors escorted the lines of Chevrokian naval personnel down onto the pier, although they had strained the ship's accommodation they had mostly been cleaned up and dried off. A squad of Marine MPs greeted them as they arrived, shaking hands, and directed them to five waiting Ural trucks, to bring them back to the Chevrokian headquarters and be debriefed. Those who had suffered injuries were taken to the last truck in line, marked with the Red Crystal, as the convoy left it drove off in a different direction towards the base hospital.

OOC: Naval forces detailed above, about ten battle groups. There are about 1 million regular troops on the island, which has a population of 25 million or so. The vast majority of the population are concentrated in Bastion city on the east coast, on low lying land, whilst the rest is hills and rocks , through which the complex of Naval Command runs.

Chevrokian HQ, Hamilayan Theatre
Portsmouth, F.R.H.

"We had stopped to pick up the merchantmen who were in the water. While this was happening, we sent our SV-22 to hunt down the enemy sub, Sveadahl had her SH-60 helping in the rescue efforts as well. That sub was down there good, they'd bottomed out and come to a stop. We could give a guess as to where they were given previous contacts, but nothing definite, sir."

The mood in the office was quite, and those present were intently listening to the harrowing tale of Venture's commanding officer, Captain Leszek Balkowiksch, detailing the last moments of the little Chevrokian convoy.

"So the SV-22 was out there dropping depth charges on the last known position of the sub. We'd picked up a good number of the merchantmen, quite a few were injured. At the same time we were still fighting the hangar fire and trying to get the starboard side patched up. Not long after this, the sub surfaces rapidly, and launches an anti-aircraft missile at the SV-22, taking it out of the sky. Then, they launch a spread of torpedoes, supercavitating, well over 200 knots terminal speed. You can figure, there's not an awful lot we can do. Sure, we certainly give it a shot, but, as fast as those fish are moving, and that we had already expended alot of our countermeasures during the first attack, we didn't have much of a chance.

"Sveadahl got hit twice, once under her gun turrets, and once under the engine rooms. She went up like a fuckin' Roman candle, just a mass of flame from stem to stern. One of the most horrible things I've ever seen in my entire life. We got hit pretty much the same way, but the explosions weren't quite as violent, apparently. Myself, I didn't really know, I saw the first explosion from the gun turret, then it all went black for a while, and I came to in the ocean. How I managed that without serious injury I can't say. Besides me, a bunch of guys from the stern and upper amidships superstructure got blown into the sea after the port-side torpedo battery went off. A few others managed to escape through other ways."

"Well, Captain," said Admiral Mølstad, "I can't imagine what you and your men have been through. It's really quite a tragedy that this had to happen."

"Are we gonna get them back, sir?" the Captain asked.

The distanct thunder of a departing Valkyrie seemed to conveniently time itself with the Admiral's response. "You bet we're gonna get them. We've got Taffy 3 down here, six squadrons of maritime bombers and an awful lot more here and coming."

The Captain gave a weak smile, "Good to know, sir."

"You'll be heading back whenever you're ready. The injured will stay in the Hamilayan base hospital until they're stable enough to be moved."

"If I may, Admiral, I'd like to stay with my men until they're ready to go back home."

"That's quite acceptable, Captain. In fact, I feel I should pay a visit to the men as well. Matovich, MacMillin, you're welcome to join us if you have no pressing business to attend to."

The Captain, the Admiral, and the two Generals set off towards the base hospital to visit with the wounded. And all about the base activity continued unabated; planes flying in and out, ground troops drilling, watching the skies, personnel unloading the big cargo planes, maintaining other planes. "We're gonna get them," the Admiral thought, "sure as the sun will rise tomorrow."

OOC: Apologies for the delay- exams. :headbang: Posting will be intermittent over the next few weeks.

Valencia
Imperial Ministry of Defence

The Imperial Guards officers in the Ministry's situation room straightened as Chancellor Dawson strode in. He ignored them and walked towards a woman standing in the centre of the room, wearing identical black uniform to the other officers but with the Imperial falcon patch on her shoulders. The sound of explosions could be heard in the distance, although sometimes one sounded too close for comfort.

"Commandant-General. I trust the enemy advance has been repelled." Commandant-General Lucas stiffened at the Chancellor's tone.

"Chancellor, I regret to inform you that 66th Division has lost the road. Enemy forces are advancing on the city. Also, there are enemy warships and landing platforms moving towards Valencia harbour. It appears they mean to charge straight in."

"Very well. Your assessment, General," Dawson said flatly.

"The bulk of our forces are stationed here in the city, from what was lost in the counterattack on the enemy landing zone." Dawson stiffened also at the implicit criticism, as the counterattack had been under his orders. "I suggest a retreat to Armavir and Alexandria, fighting a rearguard action. From there, we can regroup and delay the enemy advance further."

"An interesting plan, but I disagree. This is the capital and most important city of the Hamilayan Empire. You will hold it at all costs. If the Republic tries to take Valencia, they will have a fight on their hands."

"With all due respect, sir, that would be unwise. We have a great disadvantage in men and materiel, and the enemy has unbroken supply lines. If we stand here, the Imperial Guards fall with the city."

"That is defeatist talk! Do what you have to to hold Valencia. Bring our gun batteries to bear on those ships moving into harbour. If they think they can just land here, they will have an unpleasant shock."

"I can do that, if you want Republic aircraft to pinpoint and destroy all our heavy artillery batteries and missile stations within ten minutes," Lucas said through gritted teeth. A particularly loud explosion sounded nearby to accentuate her point.

"Then we will have to resort to extreme measures. Send out orders to release our biological and chemical weaponry."

"Excuse me, sir, what did you say?" Lucas said incredulously, now losing her cold composure for the first time.

"We will use our chemical weapons on advancing enemy troops. Is that difficult to understand, Commandant-General?"

"Sir, you do know the Republic's W-M-D doctrine, yes? If we fire our chemical shells, the gloves come off. All the enemy's nuclear weapons and their own chemical weapons come down upon our heads. As they have just received a very large shipment of Novichok from Dartia, this would be extremely unwise. The Empire will end. I cannot send such an order."

"Very well, Lucas, you are fired. I shall send the order myself. Colonel!" Dawson gestured to a nearby officer. "Issue orders to our artillery units. Chemical weapons authorization-" He stopped to see Lucas' Beretta sidearm pointing at his chest.

"Sir, I cannot allow you to do this."

"What you think is not relevant, civilian. This is treason! Soldiers!" The Chancellor gestured now to the soldiers guarding the door. "Take Miss Lucas away." The soldiers raised their weapons, but hesitated. "Now, Colonel, that authorization, code one-two-"

The Beretta fired three times. Dawson's eyes widened, but then he fell to the ground and they glazed over. The soldiers watching ran up to Lucas, shouting "FREEZE! DROP THE WEAPON!" but clearly remained unsure of how to respond. Obligingly, Lucas raised her hands and dropped the pistol to the floor.

"What the hell is going on here?"

The Emperor strode in, and all the officers in the room straightened noticeably more than they had for the Chancellor. Lucas dropped one of her hands above her head to salute.

"Your Majesty! The Chancellor attempted to override my orders and hold the city through the use of weapons of mass destruction. As he was endangering the welfare of the Empire, I regrettably had to prevent him from doing so." If Lucas was afraid, it didn't show.

"Hmm. You plan to retreat to Armavir and Alexandria?" No one asked how the Emperor knew the Commandant-General's plans. He gestured to the two soldiers covering Lucas to lower their weapons. "Do it. You inconvenience me, Commandant-General. I shall have to find a new Chancellor." There was no trace of humour or anger in his voice.

Near Bastion

Submarines were spreading and retreating.Two that had arrived at south were lucky and got silently away. Their companions who had attacked from north were not so lucky. In attack had participated Type IX subs which are rather big, now their size worked against them. From five submarines, three got sunk in relatively short period.

North-West from Empire

Olmedrecan fleet was still heading towards Empire territory. Admiral Tammehiis was on the bridge of his Duke class flagship ONS Supay. News about Shakalian retreat were disturbing. Also he knew that Supreme War Council was divided over Hamilayan affair. Some supported continuing, other supported aborting operation as unneccessary waste of resources. Currently he was ordered to continue but to avoid direct confrontation with Hamilayan Republicans if possible.

So how long it will take us to reach to Empire?

About one day. answered aide.

I want full overview of Republican force positioning. Both naval and land ones.

Will be done, Sir!

Oob:
Fleet heading towards empire:
10 x Duke-class BTN
30 x Nimitz class CVN
25 x Ar-3 class Arsenal ships
60 x Dragoon Class CAN
90 x Praefele Class DDN
120 x Knight Class DDN
200 x Minister Class FFN
100 x Type VII SSN
50 x Type IX SSN

+ numerous supply ships and transport ships

ooc:
Hamilay, republican land forces are only near Valencia or they also have captured some other towns in empire ? And how is republican fleet near empire positioned, does it stand directly on my way if I want to head to one of the northern ports of empire?

RNS Svirepyy (PHM-3)
F-class patrol hydrofoil
East of Beferen, F.R.H.

"Razyashciy's catching up, sir!"

"Finally? Alright then, go to flank speed, we'll beat 'em to Beferen."

"Flank speed, sir?"

"Absolutely. The river's big enough at this point we can run wide-open."

"Aye, sir."

The distant whine signaled the Svirepyy's 35,000 horsepower T-94-Mk1 gas turbine powerplant winding up. Skimming across the top of the water at 50 knots, quite nearly flying past the Hamilayan countryside, Lieutenant Alexander Anderssen loved his job.

"You know, them boys on the big ships never get to have this sort of fun."

If destroyers are the sports cars of naval warfare, he thought, then hydrofoils have to be the motorcycles. Very fast, and just like motorcycles, they lean into their turns rather than against them like normal naval vessels. Which was certainly noticeable as the Svirepyy carefully manuvered around barges and other merchant vessels east of Beferen.

"What about Doblestnyy? Where are they at?"

"I'm not sure, sir, but they're still far behind us."

To cover many areas of the Hamilayan theatre, the Chevrokian commanders sent the patrol hydrofoils Svirepyy, Razyashciy, and Doblestnyy to the Hamilayan west coast. Upon their unusual arrival in Hamilay by aircraft, they were carefully moved down to the docks in Portsmouth and into the water. Then they were hastily fitted with a crude sonobouy catapult, fueled up, armed with full ammunition for the quadruple 57mm gun forward and the 30mm gatling gun amidships, and loaded with eight torpedo-carrying ASROCs in place of their usual fit of Harpoons. While the ships of Task Force 3 were largely confined to the ocean, the three hydrofoils made their route direct from Portsmouth to Beferen via Hamilay's rivers and other inland waterways. And because the mood on the hydrofoils was generally more relaxed than on the big ocean-going ships, they decided to stage an informal race to the other side of the continent.

"We're getting close to the coast, any updates on the situation?"

"Let me check here, sir ... yes, in fact, there are updates. Missile attack by subs on Hamilayan naval base in Bastion. So there's definetely enemy subs operating in the area. Command is sending three PB-87s out to help us out. Looks like they want a sub kill, bad."

"Right, then. When we get to Beferen, we're going to refuel and take a bit of a break. Then we'll need to contact the Hamilayans and let them know that we're over here. We don't want any friendly fire incidents now."

Somewhere on the Valencia highway

The S15 Legionnaire infantry mobility vehicle slowed to a stop as it approached the checkpoint, as did the two armoured personnel carriers and four trucks behind it. The lieutenant in the first vehicle opened the door and climbed out, saluting a soldier standing by the hastily constructed barrier of barbed wire and sandbags.

"Your business, sir?" the guard asked, in a thoroughly bored voice.

The lieutenant handed him a sheaf of documents. "POWs in the trucks. We're escorting them back from 1442nd Battalion HQ to Camp K-4."

"Very well, sir. Let me just clear this through..."

The lieutenant waited patiently as the soldier departed for a small house by the side of the road, the other eight or so soldiers spread out across the eight-lane highway manning the barrier looking on without much interest. Suddenly, another engine was heard, and another two Legionnaire vehicles appeared rapidly from the distance, travelling at high speed along the deserted highway. In a minute or so they stopped on the other side of the barricade, and six soldiers in black uniform exited.

"What the hell is MIU doing here?" muttered the driver of the first Legionnaire on the other side to no one in particular.

"I don't know, but it looks like we're about to find out," said the lieutenant, as a third figure in black uniform exited. This one was wearing a beret, which for Military Intelligence Unit probably marked him as a general officer. He began walking across the highway to the stopped convoy of vehicles on the other side. At this moment the first sentry emerged from the house and also began walking back to meet the lieutenant.

"All right, sir, that's fine. You-" He stopped as he fully noticed the soldiers in black standing around their vehicles, and the officer walking towards him now with three guards. "Sir!" The sentry straightened for the new arrival, who was now close enough for those around to see brigadier general's insignia.

"At ease, soldiers," the brigadier smiled, gesturing to both the lieutenant and the sentry. INGRAM was on the patch on his breast pocket. "You have POWs here? All been debriefed and checked for documents and the like?"

"Yes sir," said the lieutenant. "I have orders to take them back to K-4."

"That's been rescinded. Have a look at these." The brigadier handed the lieutenant a ubiquitous manila folder, who opened it and took out the first sheet of paper.


HAMILAYAN MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
DIRECTIVE 581

SECRET - MILITARY/INTELLIGENCE

By order of the Minister of Defence, prisoners and/or prisoners of war taken from personnel of the armed forces of the Empire of Hamilay, are now designated as guilty of the crime of high treason. Prisoner of war status and rights are to be rescinded. The process of emptying prisoner of war camps should begin. Normal procedures for debriefing and capture of prisoners will continue.

EXCEPTION: The following groups are to retain prisoner of war status and rights: officers of Major rank and above or equivalents, intelligence personnel, medical personnel, civilian personnel working for Hamilayan Empire armed forces, all other personnel not members of the Empire armed forces. If unsure of prisoner role or status, they retain prisoner of war status and rights until clarification is provided. Confirm with ranking Military Intelligence personnel as to status of undefined prisoners.

All other prisoners of war are guilty of the crime of high treason, and should be given the highest possible penalty for military personnel engaged in this crime of levying war against the Federal Republic. All prisoners and all future prisoners captured who are not covered by the exception list above, after debriefing and normal procedures for processing of prisoners, are to be terminated. Military Intelligence Unit personnel will aid regular Federal Republic armed forces in this latter process, and enlisted regular personnel are to follow their directives regarding this situation.

This directive numbered five hundred and eighty-one (581) has approval level 1-2-Bravo.

Dulce Et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori

The lieutenant looked at the sheet of paper again, not fully comprehending. Then his face began to go pale.

All prisoners of war... are to be terminated.

The brigadier general broke the silence, pointing to the exception paragraph. "None of those in this batch, have you?"

The lieutenant shook his head. "No, sir." He opened the folder again, and reached for one of the other sheets of paper, but the brigadier general stopped him. "Don't worry about that, all legalese. Need to know, Lieutenant. So, all right? Captain Spencer here will go with you to show you where to go." The brigadier general pointed at one of the soldiers in black standing behind him.

"Yes, sir. I... I'll have to go inform my troops. Permission to..."

"Oh, yes, yes," said the brigadier general, and handed him the first order, to his surprise. The lieutenant walked away and gestured to a soldier looking out the turret of one of the armoured personnel carriers, who disappeared inside and a moment later appeared from the back.

"What's the hold up, sah?"

"Sarge, take a look at this." The sergeant's lieutenant handed him the document, and he scanned over it. "MIU are going to take us where we need to go."

The sergeant read it impassively. "Right, sah, I'll go make the arrangements."

The lieutenant grinned weakly and returned to the front of the convoy, where Captain Spencer met him. "Ready to go? I'll take one of the Legionnaires ahead. Follow me."

Without waiting for a reply the captain walked back to where the two MIU vehicles were parked, whilst the lieutenant got back into his own vehicle and the driver started the engine. The sentries moved aside to let the column of vehicles pass, and one of the MIU Legionnaires did a U-turn and moved to the front of the column. The convoy followed it down the highway, and it turned off the next exit into a smaller paved road. The vehicles drove through the back forests of Valencia Island for some time, on increasingly rougher roads. Eventually they came to a clearing and the lead vehicle stopped, the convoy following suit. The captain got out and waved to the lieutenant to exit. He did so, as did the rest of the Hamilayan troops, also opening the doors and moving the prisoners of war out of the back of the trucks.

A large, long pit was dug in the ground at the edge of the clearing. With a nod from the captain, the Hamilayan troops shepherded the prisoners over to stand by its edge, and in that instant, the reality of the situation hit the prisoners and their captors alike. By the edge of the pit, the prisoners froze. Some started mumbling, presumably praying.

Again, the lieutenant looked to Captain Spencer, who nodded. The lieutenant nodded to his men in turn, and they raised their rifles and fired. There were sharp screams, but they stopped quickly as the bodies fell into the pit. The two officers walked over to see the consequences, whilst the soldiers stood, many appearing in shock.

Some muffled moans could still be heard, and some bodies were twitching. Almost in one fluid motion, Spencer drew his MP7 submachine gun, extended the stock with a clack and fired a sustained burst down into the pit, methodically spraying along its whole length until the clip emptied.

There was no sound or movement now. Spencer reloaded the MP7 and holstered it.

"I think that's all here. You move along, lieutenant. My men and I will wait here, engineers will be on the way to clean up."

Wordlessly the lieutenant made his way back to the line of vehicles, his soldiers following. One doubled over and vomited in the bushes.

OOC: I feel evil. :(

Olmedreca, there are republican troops along most of the southeast coast now but Valencia is the only city being attacked. Troops are advancing on Seldovia. You can head to one of the northern ports without too much interference- fleet is concentrated in the strait and to the east to a lesser extent. There will be some patrols around but they probably won't stay to fight you.

ONS Supay, 50 kilometers north from Varna

Admiral Tammehiis was pissed. In front of him on table was laconical message from Supreme War Council:

***Top Secret***
From: Supreme War Council
To: Admiral Tammehiis

Due British Londinium-Automagfreek conflict you most likey will not receive any notable reinforcements. Your fleet may be recalled to Olmedreca if crisis should grow out of hand. Currently proceed.

Admiral wished he could personally shoot idiots in Londinian government, did they attempted national suicide or what. As Olmedreca was relatively close to British Londinium, such conflict automatically tied up majority of Olmedrecan forces. Maybe he should abort mission immediately to avoid any waste of resources, Empire of Hamilay seemed to be pretty much finished. After some consideration admiral decided to make good face in shitty situation and proceed. Message was sent to Empire of Hamilay:

From: Admiral Joel Tammehiis, Olmedreca
To: Empire of Hamilay

Olmedreca has decided to give support to you. I request permission to land at port of Varna with my fleet.

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

Office of Ernst Tormilind, Drasgard, Olmedreca

General Ernst Tormilind, Chief of Military Intelligence, was speaking with phone then aide entered. Then general ended phonecall, aide said:
“Sir, something from Hamilay you should see.”

General’s response was loud:
“I am busy with this Londinian shit! I do not have time for this Hamilay nonsense at the moment.”

Aide did not back down:
“Sir, it just take a look at those few images, I am sure they will interest you.”

Tormilind wanted to shout to aide’s face what he thinks of her images from Hamilay, but realized that aide was enough competent to decide what deserves his attention and what doesn’t:
“Alright, show them here.”

Aide pointed at several satellite images:
“See that insignificant clearing near Valencia, from here you can see how convoy, presumably with prisoners of war arrived there. There was something that terribly looks like mass execution, and later convoy left. As this area was not strategically significant we got only few poor quality images so we cant really be fully sure. But it terribly smells like Katõn style execution.”

General looked at images with growing interest:
“Indeed, we need to find out exact truth, with all possible evidences. Our agents in both Republic and Empire need to consider this high priority. Notify Admiral Tammehiis and keep eye out for other such incidents.”

Varna

Base 4-58-E was the main naval installation of the Empire along its northeast coast, where the remnants of its navy cut off in the east had retreated, the rest of the navy heading to Cape George. Which wasn't much. In port sat twenty or thirty torpedo boats and a dozen old frigates and destroyers. Two Slava-class cruisers were also present, one now only worth being sold for scrap. Vice Admiral Marcus Ritter looked over this sorry assembly and shook his head. The Olmedrecans would be disappointed if they expected to be able to bolster the Imperial Navy to take on the Federal Republic's battlegroups to the south. At least there was plenty of space vacated by destroyed ships for their navy to berth.

FROM: Admiral Joel Tammehiis, Olmedreca
TO: Vice Admiral Marcus Ritter, the Empire of Hamilay

The Empire thanks you for your offer of support. As commanding officer of Base 4-58-E, I have been instructed to provide for your arrival here at Varna. Coordinates are being sent now, and supplies will be made available for you when your forces land.

The city of Varna itself covered the coastline and spread inland to the west and south of Base 4-58-E, although the station was really part of the city anyway due to the housing and commercial buildings built for naval personnel and their families. Like most of the urban areas of the Empire, save Valencia in the south, the skyscrapers all over the Federal Republic were nowhere to be seen, because of both strong winds and financial straits. Varna was an industrial town of dreary concrete, very Soviet-esque, built around processing natural gas from deposits in Hamilayan waters to the east. The Republic had been willing to let Valencia Island go, but not one of their major sources natural gas, so Varna's livelihood had been seized by Republic warships and the gas rerouted through Serrinha. The city had now been in decline for some time, but it was busiest it had been for many years, full of refugees from the south who had nowhere to go.

Thousands of kilometres above the city, 5951G, a Republic spy satellite, kept watch. It, or its controller, wasn't interested in the refugees or the architecture. It most definitely was interested in the great deal of ships approaching the harbour. 5951G, or its controller, sent the information back to the Ministry of Defence, where the decision was immediately made to keep the enemy off balance. To halt these reinforcements moving south, two corps were detached from the forces moving on Valencia, which was mostly empty of enemy troops anyway, and directed northeast towards Armavir to stop retreating Imperial troops from linking up with reinforcements. With the retreat of the Shakal fleet in the east, Hamilayan vessels could be recalled, and some began returning to bolster the fleet in the strait and deal with this new threat.

Temporary Olmedrecan HQ, Varna

Officers in the room looked at large map of Empire of Hamilay.
“So navy will remain here?” asked General Puskar.

“Indeed, we will keep door open at Varna, but we will not activaly engage Republican navy elsewhere. We are lacking reinforcements and operations near mainland of Hamilay are out of question due potential enemy air attacks.” answered admiral Tammehiis.

“We have only limited forces so this campaing needs to be fast and decisive. We do won’t have reinforcements necessary for long war of attrition. Therefore enemy must be engaged as fast as possible.” Said General Puskar.

Lieutnant-General Jääkirka nodded in approval:
“Our forces are already unloading and preparing to move inland. We need to move to Armavir as fast as possible and lauch attack on enemy near Valencia with everything we have.”

“Shouldn’t we send atleast one corps to bolster imperial defences at Alexandria area?” asked Lieutnant-General Haavapuu.

“No, we need to keep maximum concentration of our forces. All ten divisions will deploy to Armavir to engage republican forces in Valencia area as fast as possible. This campaign can be only won by blitzkrieg.” said Puskar with voice which meant that issue has decided.

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

As officers were discussing such matters ten Olmedrecan divisions were being unloaded from ships. About 200,000 men in total, that was all, no reinforcements were going to come anytime soon, if ever. That had to be enough, or campaign would end up as failure. Varna’s boring arhitecture did not bother soldiers, they were going to leave to front very soon anyway, every day counted.

There were also some engineering units on ships, those started immediately preparations for setting up some extra missile batteries for increasing security of Varna. Keeping Varna and making sure that Republic of Hamilay would not reestablish blockade on it was highest priority. Admiral Tammehiis had permission to use whatever means necessary to ensure that.

Forward elements of the Manthian fleet were now getting very close to the Hamilayan empire, though there would not be a huge need for port space or docks, as the largely nuclear-propelled fleet could remain self-sufficient for some time. Still, with the Empire faltering on the battlefield, there would be a need to bolster it with more than just distant naval and air support.

Due to bureaucratic slowdowns and the general scarcity of sufficient numbers of transport and refueling planes, it had taken some time to prepare for Operation Hamilayan Shield, but now things were finally nearing the point of readiness. Massive SuC-1 Stormbringer aircraft were being loaded with tanks, artillery, SAMs, and, of course, large numbers of troops. Numerous smaller cargo aircraft would take part in the airlifts as well, and hundreds of tanker aircraft would ensure that the planes reached their destination as quickly as possible.

As planes began to take off, a message was sent to the Imperial government.

Our regards,

The Union has seen fit to authorize troop deployments to the Hamilayan Empire in the interest of maintaining its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Denomination of Strategy requests permission to land Manthian troops in northern Hamilay to help stabilize the situation.

Valencia

The Federal Republic theatre command centre was an old textile factory on the outskirts of Valencia, the floors of machinery being replaced by computers and tables of maps. General Kovar shivered as the draft in the high-ceilinged and unheated building stung him, but he didn't bother to go and get a thick coat. He looked out the window of the command centre, watching troops in winter gear march through the screen of light snow across the sky. The snow had come in the last few hours, and wasn't expected to go away any time soon. Down south in Valencia it was relatively mild, but further north it looked like it was a large blizzard. The consequence of the weather was that Kovar's attack helicopters and some of his air support were now inoperable, with which he had hoped to inflict the bulk of casualties amongst the enemy as they retreated. The bad weather had been forecast, but not predicted to be this bad, and there hadn't been an opportunity to delay this war anyway. Well, the conditions worked both ways. Now hopefully they'd be able to catch more of the older Imperial helicopters and aircraft on the ground, but since their air force appeared to be a joke so far it wouldn't make an awful lot of difference. There were other benefits to the snow, too, like helping to cover the distasteful business with prisoners.

He turned away from the window and walked back towards the factory floor's centre, where the staff officers were managing communications and analysing troop movements. One rose from her seat and moved towards Kovar, holding out a radio transciever.

"General, 204th Division is reporting in. Target zero-three-zero Ministry of Defence has been taken, by their 1012th Armed Recon Regiment."

"Ah, excellent." Kovar took the proffered transceiver. "Schmidt?"

"Yes, sir," said the electronic voice on the other end. "I am pleased to report the objective has been captured with minimal casualties. We are currently taking up defensive positions and await further orders."

"Well done, Major-General. Reinforcements are on the way, you are to hold your positions until they arrive." Kovar turned away from the transceiver to the officer. "Tell 59th the path is clear and that they may proceed to their objective," he muttered, and then raised the transceiver again. "Then advance on target zero-seven-zero in support of 98th Infantry."

"Copy that, General. We are to hold our positions until reinforced, and then move on zero-seven-zero at grid square... 44G. Schmidt out."

Kovar passed the transceiver back to the officer. "Right on schedule, despite the weather. 204th has performed well. At this rate, Valencia will be ours by the end of the day."

North of Valencia

"I can't see anything through this damned snow!"

"Shut your mouth, Corporal, we're almost there. I think I can hear something."

"I can't hear anything further than a metre away through this damned snow. How the hell do you-"

The corporal stopped talking as his sergeant drew a finger across his throat, then pointed in front of them. The reconnaisance squad crept forward, and they saw that the treeline was beginning to thin. The sergeant motioned to his troops to stop.

"Leslie, Rothman, you're with me," he whispered, as much as it was possible to whisper in the howling blizzard, and pointed at two soldiers. They detached themselves from the squad, who were scanning the area intently, and moved forward crouching. The three men came up on the treeline, and through the blizzard a grey shape appeared before them, with more moving grey and white shapes on top of it.

"We've found the highway. And it looks like the enemy's here, right on schedule."

"Should we try and take 'em out, sir?" asked Leslie or Rothman.

"This line of vehicles could go all the way back to Valencia for all we know. No, we've done what we're here for." The sergeant and his two companions crawled back a short distance to where the rest of the squad was gathered.

"That's the highway all right, troops, and it's got Imperial trucks all over it. Mission accomplished. Come on, we're heading back to the farmhouse we passed to get indoors and report in."

Some distance to the southwest, Federal Republic troops were making considerably more noise than that of the reconnaisance squad. Two armoured divisions, the lead force of LII and XXVI Corps sent to cut off the Imperial retreat, were rolling down the snow-covered roads which connected the coastal highways to the Valencia-Armavir route. The four fighting divisions of the two corps followed closely behind, as well as the usual train of various support formations.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e267/Flaw3dLegacy/HamilayEmpire.gif

TO: New Manth

You have our thanks for your offer to assist in defending Imperial sovereignty, and your commitment of troops is greatly appreciated. All ports in the north of the Empire are open to your forces as you wish. Olmedreca has also pledged its assistance, and their forces are providing assistance at Varna and Armavir. Imperial forces are currently fighting a rearguard action whilst retreating from Valencia to Armavir as well as moving from the west and northwest to defend Seldovia, but we expect that the city cannot be saved.

Somewhere between Varna and Amavir

Then General Puskar looked out of the any of the windows of his wagon, he could only see white, white, and more white. Only with great problems he could see some shadows moving nearby, this was another train, probably car’s loaded with Wolfhound main battle tanks, although with such visibility general could only make assumptions. Snowstorm made visibity almost zero. Railway from Varna to Amavir was not in great shape, but amazingly currently it seemed to be somehow still doing its job in satisfying level.

Puskar was not really worried about snowstorm. He had seen enough of those. Olmedreca was not some desert nation, winters were cold and snowy, especially in northern territories, as result men knew what to do in such conditions. General just wished that they would reach to Armavir already, so that this sitting in train would end. There they would reorganize and confront Republicans. He took sip from his coffee and looked around in wagon, most of his staff officers were reading some maps and reports, but he felt they all shared his wish to get out from wagon and confront enemy already.

Armavir

As soon as the Hamilayan forces had reached the doorstep of Valencia, the Tu-160 Blackjack squadrons and other aircraft had shifted their attention to the next set of targets for the ground troops. Armavir was one of these, as apparently the main conduit for enemy forces retreating from the capital, the road to Alexandria for them almost immediately blocked by the Republican advance. Built in the same dreary style as Varna, the city was much more heavily damaged, streets lying in ruins and covered with rubble after only a day or two of heavy bombing. The snow had prevented a firestorm from consuming the entire city, and now, with the bad weather, the raids had dropped off, the few the Federal Republic Air Force had sent to try their luck not being able to hit their targets. Now, the blizzards had doused what fires had sprung up, and plumes of smoke rose over Armavir, the city being given a brief period of respite before the Republican armies reached it.

Civilians in varying states of shock walked the ruined city streets, picking amongst the rubble attempting to salvage valuables. Those left homeless lived in tent shelters, or in abandoned and intact cellars and basements. In the bleak weather facing the city, this was fatal to many, and thousands of frozen bodies lying on the streets had had a somewhat detrimental influence on Imperial morale. Despite the many civilian refugees from the south moving to the port cities, Armavir's citizens had not been evacuated, as travel on the routes to the north had been forbidden to allow supplies and reinforcements from the coast to travel more easily.

The trains of Olmedrecan troops were greeted warmly by the Imperial soldiers there to welcome them, and were respectfully requested to move through the city to take up defensive positions in its ruins with the Imperial garrison. Whilst the fresh troops were full of enthusiasm for defending their homeland from the barbarians across the strait, as Olmedrecans met other Imperial troops they would receive an impression of extreme tiredness. The Empire in its glory days two hundred years ago saw its dominion over all of Hamilay, and the short-lived resurgence of that glory in the Civil War saw it being backed by three million of the finest soldiers in the nation. Now, they were on the back foot all the way, so far, with the Republic dictating their every move, and it was obvious that there was no hope of threatening the enemy's homeland as was being done to theirs. After the speedy loss of the capital and the bloody retreat from it, having to hack their way through blizzards and corps of Republican soldiers trying to cut them off, the Imperial veterans were already war-weary, and morale was at rock bottom.

But the war was not lost yet. Not by a long shot, Commandant-General Lucas thought, as she rode in an M101 APC to Armavir Central Station, where the Olmedrecan commander Puskar and his staff were due to arrive. All that is needed is a victory, and faith in the Empire will be restored. This would have to be done here, as the Imperial army would not survive being pushed back further as a coherent fighting force. And it could be done. The blizzard was an absolute godsend, slowing the enemy advance considerably. Whilst, unfortunately, all the enemy units moving north were well-trained for winter warfare, as they had clearly been planning this invasion for a long time, the weather had already grounded their extensive helicopter fleet and many of their technological advantages were negated. Already two divisions had temporarily stalled the enemy advance, having been sent out to assist the breakthrough of the last retreating friendly forces.

Lucas' transport drove unquestioned through the checkpoint at a gap in the wall of sandbags and lines of tank traps placed around the station and its grounds, as it was now serving as a major logistics hub for the Imperial defenders. The APC pulled up outside the entrance, which was now just a large opening in the wall blasted out by a bomb, and Lucas walked through, where two Guards met her, leading her out onto the platform. The station was a hive of activity, as opposed to the somewhat sullen mood of the rest of the city, with supplies being carried around. Another train was at the platform across the tracks, with Imperial troops marching off it to waiting APCs outside. Lucas and her escorts stood in the middle of the platform, ignoring the cold, and stood to wait for the General's train.

North of Valencia

It was a hastily planned operation in unfamiliar territory and in unfavorable conditions, and as would be expected in such circumstances, not everything was going smoothly. Scores of heavy transport aircraft were coasting in towards runways across the far northern Hamilayan Empire, flying with only the bare minimum of active radar and electronic emissions in order to avoid lighting up Republican radar receivers for hundreds of miles. But finding a runway based mostly on satellite GPS data and short-range, weak radars was not an easy task. One massive Stormbringer skidded past the end of a short and ice-covered runway, losing most of its landing gear and seriously injuring many of the two thousand soldiers within. Men clustered around, pulling comrades from the wreckage and into a howling blizzard that wasn't much better. Most were forced to clamber out of the wrecked plane without their heavy equipment or extra supplies. And several smaller aircraft, SUKC-Rangers, had simply gone missing. Perhaps the Republicans had access to extreme range SAMs or AAMs, or perhaps the aircraft had just missed their runways in the extreme conditions.

Either way, Operation Hamilayan Shield had not got off to a perfect start.

PFC Mohammed Ahazi summed up the feelings of many of the Manthian soldiers when he lowered the ramp of his Ranger and was greeted with a blast of freezing air and a whirl of snow. He was used to the blistering heat of the deep desert, and despite being wrapped up in winter gear there was only so much gear could help. He stepped off the plane, looked around at walls of white on either side, and spat.

"Well, fuck."

Armavir

Trains with Olmedrecan soldiers started to arrive to Armavir. Men were optimistic, long trip was finally over, and battle was coming. Some had served in Hamilay already at previous Olmedrecan intervention, during earlier phase of Hamylian civil war. For many others it was first time to be deployed outside Olmedreca.

General Puskar and his officers left the staff wagon. As visibility had became a little better for a moment, he had a chance to look at town. Damage that bombings had caused would had otherwise saddened him, but from purely military viewpoint it was excellent. Those ruins could be used effectively in long period city battle if necessary. But currently he had no plans to fight inside city, and he hoped that Imperialist share that opinion. This campaign requires victory, it needs to be achieved here, and with acceptable speed and casualties.

Puskar noticed Hamilayans and walked towards them, with his staff and escort following. He rised hand for handshake and said “Good morning, I am General Puskar from Olmedreca, I assume you are Imperial commander in area? Oh, by the way, you have nice weather here. I hope it will stay so for longer period.”

Armavir

Lucas took the offered hand. "Yes, that would be me. Commandant-General Lucas, acting CINC of Imperial forces. The weather we're having here is not usual, but it is very nice, slowed down the enemy greatly. Excuse me. General Puskar, Olmedrecan commander in area? On behalf of the Empire, let me personally extend my thanks for coming to our aid here. With your help, I am sure we can turn the enemy back. If you'll follow me?"

Lucas and her escorts walked down the platform to what was evidently a command and control area, with, not surprisingly, officers sitting at stations, taking orders, and with a large lit-up table with a map on it. Some cheap plastic chairs, found in the station beforehand, were set up around this table in the centre of the room, and Lucas ushered the Olmedrecans onto them.

"Sit down, sit down. Now, to business. We've had to pull back from Valencia, as you know, and all the retreating forces have fought their way back to the city and are now regrouping. I have four divisions in the field stalling the enemy advance, which currently consists of about two corps of three divisions each, not so sure about that, and will be reinforced by their main shock group of another four corps or so."

Lucas drew her finger along the main road on the map from Valencia to Armavir.

"Here in Armavir, I have six more fresh divisions waiting in reserve and moving to assist our forces in the field as needed, as well as one army group of a hundred and forty thousand troops assembling to the north to reinforce us in the next few days. There are fourteen understrength divisions here also, most of which are not fit to fight and will need a few days to recover. No concrete plans have been made yet, as unfortunately, at the moment your forces and the Manthians' make up the best we have and our plans should center around them. I thought I'd wait for you to arrive. By the way, I have sent a message to the Manthians asking them to concentrate their reinforcements here and to send a representative. These forces will be enough, though, since enemy air superiority is negated for perhaps the next week or so due to weather."

The Commandant-General leaned back in the chair and shrugged. "So, General, your thoughts?"

OOC: Apologies for the delay. Again. Exams. Again. Argh. Monosyllables. Schedule will be normalised by the end of next week.

Armavir

General Puskar lighted a cigarette, while looking at map, and said:
“Well, I have ten divisions with me. That is three corpses and one high-quality separate division. It is obvious that we need to counterattack. Long period attritional war is probably not an option in current strategic situation. Now main question is about timing. There seems to be two possibilities. First possible solution would be hitting their first two corpses group with those fresh divisions you have and my forces immediately, before they are reinforced by their main group. That would be fastest solution, but it would give their main group time to prepare appropriate response. So there would be temporary slowdown, until you can get those troops you are preparing behind lines currently, to battle, possibly also supported by Manthians, for renewing offensive.”

General looked out from window for a moment, it was as white as it had been from his wagon, then he continued:
“There is also second option. That would mean staying in defensive for beginning, and delaying counterattack, until you get those troops you are preparing, to fighting condition. It could also give Manthians time to reinforce us. At the moment it would mean that some my divisions would join yours which are on front, but then enemy forces have merged, we would continue slow retreat towards Amavir, forcing enemy to break through one defensive line after another. Closer the town enemy gets, heavier the resistance would become. At same time enemy leadership would be most likely facing severe pressure from their politicians, to take Amavir at all costs. It would have high political value for demonstrating to the world, that Republic can beat empire despite support of its foreign friends. Then all possible forces we can gather are battle ready, while enemy has been wearing down its forces, we would counterattack with everything we have, to crush their main group completely.”

“Those are two ideas what I have. It should be noted, that I am not aware what scale contribution we can expect from Manthians in next few days. And obviously you know terrain of the area better.” general finished his talk.

[ooc: No problem, have been a bit busy myselfly too]

Armavir

"Well, my first thought was to stay on the defensive. The weather is not best conditions for attacking or advancing, as the enemy are finding to their cost. By the time they reach the city they will be cold and demoralized, and perhaps we can drive them out then. On the other hand, this may be the only opportunity we get to use our tanks without fear of their attack helicopters, as well as avoiding being destroyed from long range by superior gunnery due to low visibility. Oh, our tank force is mostly based around T-90s and old DMG Tigers. We also have many T-80s in reserve and are digging them in through the cities, I don't expect them to fare well at all in the field.

"At the moment, I suggest we make preparations for a counterattack and survey the progress of the fighting of our divisions currently in the field. We will reinforce them as necessary and if the enemy appear to be shaken, take the fight to them. Otherwise, well, we'll just see what happens. Is this acceptable? Of course, your forces are your own to command, so do as you wish, but I will be moving troops south through the city for now. Now, this area is our main command post at the moment, so you may base out of here, or you have the pick of any buildings still standing in the city you wish."

South of Armavir

"Fire! Fire! Fire!"

The platoon of Imperial Guardsmen huddled down in their foxholes sprung up, with human sihoulettes moving through the snow towards them. Forty-two M16s chattered and they began to drop. Immediately automatic XM8 fire was returned, and the air was filled with the sounds of battle. Two much larger shapes appeared through the screen of white, and the roar of 25mm cannon fire began to sound, but Kornet missiles reached out from the Imperial lines and created flares of orange and yellow.

4th Platoon, B Company, 114th Battalion, 4th Rifle Brigade of the 691st Mechanized Division was the one of the many units to meet the first significant advance of the Federal Republic on Armavir. Along a fifty-kilometer front, overall six divisions of the Federal Republic of Hamilay Army were moving into action against three of the Empire, with more moving up on both sides, although due to the weather none of the combatants knew the full details. The Republic had suffered many small setbacks and delays in attempting to push forward with small pockets of infantry through the snow-covered forests, and it was clear that they were now gambling these six or more divisions to try and achieve a decisive breakthrough.

"INCOMING! Artillery, hit the dirt!" shouted someone from the Imperial lines, a moment before MHA-1 Annihilator shells began to smash into the ground around them. The whine of rockets overhead answered the shells, from BM-27 Uragan batteries attempting counterbattery fire. After thirty seconds the artillery barrage ceased, with the units relocating after the first 220mm rockets began to land around them, and the 4th Platoon men looked back up to see trees crashing over and dozens of Warhound tanks moving towards them.

"Oh, shit," was the collective response. The radio operator, a lieutenant, was immediately screaming for reinforcements as the tanks rolled closer, more Kornet missiles slowing their advance but not by very much.

Someone heard his call, and shortly afterwards a company of the precious T-90s was behind the Imperial lines and firing steadily on the enemy advance, targets designated by the line troops. More soldiers ran up through the trees and added more M16 fire and trails of M240 machine gun bullets to the scene.

The Republican troops now had half of their tanks disabled by the Kornet missiles and the T-90s, and a large number of their troops lay unmoving on the field- how many, no one could tell given the situation. Ironheart medical vehicles came up behind their main force, and the infantry began to retreat dragging their wounded comrades behind them.

"Keep up the fire, we have them on the run!"

"Drive them back!"

----------

"General Kovar? All units report heavy resistance, in particular sectors here, here and here..."

"Reinforce them with these brigades. I want the enemy defenders shattered and broken. You are in the clear to continue the general advance."

Two armoured brigades amongst many began their movement from the Republic staging areas, these two brigades focused on a mere hundred metres covered by a platoon of Imperial infantry.

OOC: Well, I waited for Manth to make a post but I guess I should continue.

Armavir

General Puskar finished his cigarette: “This place is fine as command post. About tanks, my forces use Wolfhounds, I believe republic has also these? So, we should be able to even up a bit in that part. I find your strategical proposal acceptable. My forces will start preparations immediately to move through city and reorganize near front. Keep us informed about developments, we will be ready to reinforce your front immediately if need should arise.”

As commanders were finishing their conversation, the first columns of Olmedrecans loaded off from trains, already started moving through the city, to prepare for fighting at south. Many trains were still arriving. Those that had been emptied, headed back towards north, to ensure continuous flow of supplies to front. Then coming out from train, soldiers were usually happy for end of long and boring trip. But as troops started moving through city towards the front, they became more serious, ruins demonstrated that war was close and it was obvious that this fighting was going to be serious.

South of Armavir

The Federal Republic of Hamilay Army had taken over eight thousand casualties in the space of a few hours, but the Imperial forces had been forced out of their defensive positions. The line had disintegrated, and troops were retreating back into the forests. The Republican divisions continued to advance, but they were now blind, the enemy having melted away into the blizzards. Vicious close-quarters fighting started, in appalling weather conditions, and the battle was now managed by sergeants, lieutenants and captains.

With no clear targets to fire at, the sounds of tank guns died off, as did the scream of artillery rockets and the whine of shells, friendly forces being mingled with the enemy in the pine trees. For the most part, rifle fire, shouting and the odd explosion were what was heard now.

Lieutenant-General Mellethin, commander of the four Imperial divisions, surveyed the battlefield through his binoculars with frustration. Mellethin was a fifty-year veteran both under the Republic and the Empire, the 691st Division and the others having been under his command for fifteen. Like the rest of his staff, the old general had no idea what was happening, only that the line had collapsed and that the position was precarious to say the least.

"Commandant-General, this is Lieutenant-General Mellethin. The enemy have now overrun our prepared positions. We have stalled their advance in the forests but I do not know how much longer we can hold out. I request new orders."

"Mellethin, your troops are to hold for the moment. I am sending two divisions of light infantry to reinforce your right flank. Olmedrecan troops are now arriving, I will ask them to move on the centre if you need them."

"General, I do not know the situation, visibility is too poor and communications unreliable. Best have them sent to be safe."

"Affirmative. Lucas out."

Back in the Armavir train station, Lucas turned to General Puskar. "That was my field commander, requesting reinforcements. The enemy have driven Imperial forces out of their forward positions. If you could reinforce our centre, that would be appreciated."

South of Amavir

Puskar soonly contacted commander of 58th division:
“Major General Lumi, this is General Puskar, is your division ready to join combat immediately?”

“Yes, sir, we are ready to join the fight immediately if necessary,” Lumi answered.

“Good, the rest of our divisions are not jet fully prepared so first step you will make alone. I want you to reinforce imperial forces at the center. Currently they seem to have slowed down enemy at forests, but situation may change at any moment. Information from the front is extremely limited, with weather fucking communications heavily, so you need to get better overview yourselfly then you have reached to area.”

“Understood. We will get moving. Lumi out.”

58th Olmedrecan Mechanized division headed fastly to the center of front. Lumi decided to join fighting in forests. He did not like the idea of jumping into a dark water without knowing how deep it is, but if he waits outside forest, things can get even worse. First news about several friendly fire incidents between imperialists and Olmedrecans, confirmed his scepticism about fighting in forests with such terrible visibility. But soonly also some brighter news came in, then first units met proper enemy.

Somewhere deeper in forest, Sergeant Tammepaat and his squad were waiting. Half a hour ago, they had made a contact with squad of imperial troops, who said that enemy is close. Tammepaat and the commander of the imperial squad had decided to join forces and wait for the enemy. As men were waiting suddenly one imperialist soldier said silently, “here they come”. Republicans had not noticed them and approached walking. Sergeant aimed his DR-83 rifle, Olmedrecan army widely used Doomani small arms. Olmedrecans and imperials waited in total silence as enemy reached closer and closer, tension rising with every step enemy made. Then suddenly sergeant shouted “FIRE!”, at the next moment everyone opened fire. All republicans got down, some intentionally, some due being hit by enemy fire. Republicans had small numerical advantage, but not enough for frontal assault, so both sides exchanged fire, with bullets throwing snow up. First contact had been made.

OOC: My internet broke for the umpteenth time this year and I've been a bit under the weather. Sorry.

South of Armavir

The reconnaisance squad of Hamilayan troops walked cautiously through the trees.

"Well, this sucks," muttered one.

"Shut it, Miles, we're almost at the object-"

The corporal was silenced by a bullet through the throat.

"Under fire, UNDER FIRE!"

Half a dozen soldiers who were too slow dropped instantly, whilst the others dove for the ground and behind trees and bushes. The squad's commanding lieutenant began barking orders.

"Carter, get that radio going and tell HQ we have hostile infantry at the rally point! Where the hell is that MG?"

The M240 in question was lying beside its operator out in the open, splattered with blood.

"Someone go and get that, goddammit!"

"L-T, those don't sound like M16s!" shouted the radio operator.

The lieutenant risked a look out from behind his rock and noticed that many of the enemy soldiers were certainly not holding the standard Imperial service rifle, and that their uniforms were different to boot.

"They're not Imperials! Carter, get that to HQ ASAP!"

"I'm trying, I'm trying! If they're not Imperial, who the hell are they?"

"They must be the Olmedrecans, maybe Manth. That's not our concern. Just tell HQ that!"

"Okay, okay, I think- jesus!"

A grenade bounced through the air and landed a short distance away from the two soldiers. The lieutenant immediately dove into the bushes, pulling his radio operator behind him. A few seconds later, it detonated, sending splinters of metal everywhere. The two emerged from the bushes to see the radio smashed.

"Oh, great. Shit, sir, you're hit!" A shard of metal had embedded itself into the lieutenant's arm, and spots of blood flecked his uniform.

"Ugh. I'll be okay," he grunted, although it was clearly taking some effort. "Okay, there's nothing else for it. We're falling back. HQ needs to know we've made contact with foreign troops right away. You hear that, guys? Fall back, fall back!"

Smoke grenades were thrown, and with a final parting burst of suppressive fire, the recon squad began to retreat.

Presidential Palace, Sayenna

"Report," the President said harshly.

"Sir, we're facing heavy resistance but we continue to advance forward. That's about it, really. Our intel is shot."

"Chancellor, what do you think about the political situation?" said the President, abruptly changing tack.

"Not good. All you have to do is look out the front window. You're still popular enough, but my government is flagging. Parliament is confused and may be unpredictable with regards to the war. I have to be honest and tell you now that continuing it for an extended period of time will be unwise."

"Yes, I realise that. If we pull out, though, we lose face. We must endeavour to finish this quickly or not at all. Field Marshal, I want as many troops as you can muster into this advance. The air force will support you with everything they've got. If this fails, we may just have to call it quits with Valencia."

"But... sir, what about ending the Imperial threat? The liberation of the oppressed masses from tyranny?" said the commander of the Hamilayan Army, his tone becoming steadily more dry.

"The masses will have to wait. Right now I'm more concerned about our own damn masses rioting in the streets and smashing things. If this advance fails, the Empire will remain, but it won't be a total loss. As long as they fight hard to repel us, their respect amongst our people will increase and we won't be blasted so hard for letting them live another day. If we let these riots continue, there's no telling what could happen to the Republic."

"Yes, that's a fair assessment," the Chancellor noted. "Best to let this all blow over."

"Indeed," said the President to an unhappy Field Marshal. "I'd much rather have the Empire dead, though. Have all the forces you can muster move on Armavir."

ooc: Sorry for gap in posts. Have been pretty busy and only had enough time to check forums again recently.

Armavir

The first wave of the Manthian expeditionary force was now on the ground, though a fair amount of time would be needed before they were all ready to fight - especially the heavier elements, which had been unloaded further north towards Varna. Tanks and APCs were being reassembled from their compact cargo-hold friendly configurations, a process which despite being designed to occur as quickly as possible would still take at least a day or two. Lighter infantry had been concentrated around Alexandria, where they would fortify the approaches to the city as well as possible, and attempt to contain an expected Republican breakout from the south.

However, a portion of the Manthian armor had been flown in ready for battle - though not many, as it drastically reduced the number of vehicles that could fit in each plane - and these heavy forces had been landed near Armavir, the city planners had expected would be the next Hamilayan target due to its proximity to Valencia and strategic importance. Their job would be to assist the Olmedrecans and Hamilayans in holding the approaches to Armavir until the bulk of Manthian forces could be readied.

Brigadier General Adel Gamar was one of the last to arrive in Armavir, not by choice but because his Ranger had been forced by the bad weather to land at an airstrip much further north than anticipated. Still, work had been started even in his absence. The soldiers of the 9th Special Brigade had unloaded most of their heavy equipment, and SAM batteries and anti-aircraft artillery pieces were being set up hastily, while the snow lasted. Such lucky weather could not be expected to last, and once the skies cleared Hamilayan planes and helicopters would doubtless make their presence known. Sixty-four modern Praetorian II missile launchers and fifty SPAA-1M vehicles would grant at least a measure of protection to the soldiers on the ground, and if Hamilayan or Olmedrecan fighters could lend a hand as well, perhaps air superiority could be contested again.

Beyond the barest of messages notifying the Imperials of the Manthians' presence and location, however, no real planning or joint strategizing had been attempted in the absence of Gamar and his staff. The first thing Gamar did was rectify the situation - messages were dispatched to Imperial and Olmedrecan forces in the area. Not knowing how badly Imperial electronic transmissions might be compromised - though he guessed they were well behind the Republic in information technology and cryptography - Gamar took the low-tech but much more secure method of a motorcycle courier. Of all possible advantages, one of the best would be to keep Republican intelligence in the dark about the intentions and strength of allied troops in the area.

This is Brigadier-General Adel Gamar, 9th Special Brigade, Denomination of Strategy. I now have in the area of Armavir five thousand men and two battalions of Nakil MBTs, 240 tanks overall.

My apologies about the delay in integrating communications. The storm has made careful coordination difficult. Regardless, however, now that we are here I believe it would be best to counterattack the enemy swiftly and with significant strength. It is likely that the swift Republican advance has caused some loss of organization, and the storm has doubtless compounded this. If we can land a significant blow before the weather clears up and Republican air and naval power can assert themselves again, then the enemy advance could be seriously damaged.

Regardless I believe it will be necessary to closely integrate our command structures, and I am ready to dispatch liaison officers at your convenience.

OOC: Isn't 240 tanks more like a division-size unit?

IC:

Valencia

"General Kovar, new orders from Sayenna."

The theatre commander of Republican forces took the printout and examined it. After a few seconds of reading his eyes widened.

"They want me to advance in full force? Is this all they sent, Colonel?"

"Yessir, the orders are right there."

"What the hell is this? We can't use our aircraft, we can't find targets for the artillery, and we have no idea how many Manth or Olmedrecan troops are swarming into the area. Summon all my command staff, this cannot wait."

The colonel saluted and walked off, leaving the General to worry alone. A few minutes later he returned into view with half a dozen general officers. Kovar immediately passed the first the orders.

"Read this. All forces in the area are to advance on Armavir. I need to know how soon can this be done and how many men it will be with."

"General, two armies are ready to move, three hundred twenty thousand. These can reinforce our three corps currently in the field."

"Opposing force?"

"Maybe half of ours Imperial troops and an unknown number of foreign troops."

"That sounds promising enough. Now, ladies and gentlemen, Sayenna clearly wants this over and done with. You may speak candidly. Can this be done?"

"This is an waste of resources and taking unnecessary risks. However, yes, it can be done. The enemy are outnumbered and outgunned, although our advantage in guns as such is reduced. The odds are in our favour," finished Kovar's four-star deputy.

"Thank you, Walker. Anyone have anything else to add?" Shaking of heads. "Very well, everyone. Get to it. Good luck, and Dulce Et Decorum Est."

Armavir

"What? You're sure of this? Yes, yes, I know that. Roger. Lucas out."

The Commandant-General sighed and raised her hands to her head. The loosely network of Imperial civilian loyalists and special forces on reconnaisance along the Valencia-Armavir highway was reporting in, and all reports said the same thing. Republican troops. Lots of Republican troops.

An officer walked up to her with a paper in his hand and saluted.

"Oh, what now?"

"Ma'am, a Manthian courier has just arrived bringing this communique."

"Well, why didn't you say so? Give it here." Lucas took the paper and scanned it. "Excellent. Take this down, and send it back to him. And while you're at it, I want something delivered to the Olmedrecan command here as well."

TO: Brigadier-General A. Gamar
A liaison officer will be most useful and we request that any are sent to the headquarters at Central railway station. I have received news that all enemy forces in the area are now attacking to seek a quick end to the conflict, most likely due to domestic troubles. This will number upwards of 400,000 soldiers, compared to approximately 200,000 of our own and ten divisions of Olmedrecan troops. If a counterattack is to be carried out, it must be immediately. Six armoured divisions will be readied in this event. All reinforcements you are able to send will be needed. I await your response.

TO: General Puskar
Intelligence reports that all enemy forces in the area are now attacking to seek a quick end to the conflict, most likely due to domestic troubles. This will number upwards of 400,000 soldiers. All forces will be urgently needed to counter this. Enemy forces continue advancing slowly along all sectors of line. If we are to counterattack, we must do so immediately. I am assembling my last six fresh divisions of armour to join in this if the opportunity prevents itself. I await your response.

ooc: Yes, this particular unit is more armor-heavy than is normal.

Armavir

Shortly after the Imperial commander's reply landed the Manthian liaison officers were dispatched to Imperial headquarters. Two EW command vehicles, of the Macabean G11 series, carried twelve officers and staffers to meet with Commandant-General Lucas and hammer out the details of the planned counterattack - a task which would have to be done rather more quickly than anticipated.

There was an element of calculated risk involved in using the G11 vehicles - they would allow the planners to communicate back directly with Manthian commanders without bothering with a courier, but would expose the messages to possible electronic eavesdropping. Still, with time pressing, there was little choice. Standing orders still precluded direct electronic communication with any Imperials in order to minimize the danger of any Republicans who had already cracked the Imperial codes gaining free access to Manthian networks from that route, but even that precaution might eventually need to be scrapped as more and more forces became entangled. In the meantime, other G11s would also help coordinate between Manthian vehicles and troops during the actual advance, though this would be over shorter distances and with less strategically important information.

So now it was down to figuring out the details - positioning platoons, selecting targets for artillery, and making sure that no Manthians and Imperials ran into each other in the whiteout and started shooting by mistake. Unfortunately it would have to be done with troops already rolling into action due to the quick Republican attack.

short time later...

Back at the 9th Brigade's headquarters Gamar had delayed as long as he felt able, but still there had been no word from the Olmedrecan commander. With the Republican assault in full swing, he had to commit his forces now or risk being overrun if the Imperials were driven back. There was a good chance he would be overrun no matter what he did, but at least he could buy some time.

Gamar knew that despite the numerical odds the Republicans were setting themselves up for a hard fight. The storm would prevent them bringing all of their force to bear, and the simple fact of attempting a mass attack in bad weather without a pause to regroup might prove troublesome for the enemy's organization. At his order, the Nakil 1A1GUs of the 9th Brigade's two armored battalions were advancing over a wide front, several miles long - close enough together that tanks could mutually support one another, but not so close as to bunch together or get in each other's way. Gamar planned to integrate his forces with Imperial troops over the same area of the front, instead of simply covering a shorter area himself - the mixing might cause some confusion among opposing troops, and would also force the Republicans to worry that any unidentified tank might be a Nakil, even if it was actually an older and less dangerous Imperial model. Anything that could force the enemy to slow their advance would be welcome.

Infantrymen were riding in their Shalmanesars only until contact with the enemy was made, at which point they would disembark and fight on foot with the APC acting as a support vehicle. Manthian forces were limited enough without risking losing twelve men in one shot in APCs under enemy fire. Second-line forces followed behind - lightly armed G11-series vehicles, a few more Nakils and Shalmanesars, self-propelled mortars and a few light tank-hunters, which would provide support to the front line when necessary and help contain any enemy attacks.

The third main element of the Manthian attack would not itself need to advance at all - 155mm Corbulo guns were capable of firing quite far enough to reach any useful target, and the urban terrain of Armavir would provide them good cover. The problem with artillery, of course, was actually hitting anything during a blizzard, but in this particular case there would be no need to locate targets beforehand. Instead, shell-dispensed anti-tank mines were being deployed - 60 scattered across the country from each TIR-17 155mm shell. The mines were of course too small to kill a tank, but what they could do was blow off a tread or destroy an APC's wheels, and that would kill its usefulness until spare parts and a mechanic could arrive. The artillery itself was only being aimed in the most general of senses, dropping shells over the more open approaches to Armavir in the hopes of funneling part of the enemy advance into rougher wooded terrain, or, failing that, screwing up some enemy vehicles and causing a logistical headache.

The Holy Empire of Michwats-Rebbgami has pledged full support such as humanitarian and military aid to the legitimate Imperial Government of Valencia. We shall assist you with the destruction and vangquishment of the illegal Republican rabble and restore your nation and people to it's rightful former status.

Armavir

The Republic's strategic bomber squadrons had been flying missions round the clock in the early stages of the invasion, and many had welcomed the rest given by the stormy weather. However, with the pivotal engagement rapidly forming, it looked like there would be no opportunity to fly any more missions at all. Despite the likely waste of most munitions involved, commanders had decided they may as well make use of their air advantage.

So, above the storm clouds, 200 Tu-160 Blackjacks appeared over the horizon, escorted by fighters, of course. They carried no guided munitions, as no one could really spot any targets of worth to guide them to; instead, the time-honoured tactic of massed carpet bombing would rear its head once more.

"All aircraft, approaching target zone. Bombardiers to your stations."

After a chorus of affirmatives, the bomb bays of 200 aircraft opened and, over hundreds of square kilometres to the south of Armavir and upon the city itself, 8000 tons of gravity bombs fell to earth.

On the ground, as bombs began to hit, the vanguard of ten armoured divisions had been assembled and began to advance on the Imperial and allies' positions. As was normal practice, mechanised infantry would follow behind. The small antitank mines were no more than a nuisance to the tanks themselves, but were causing problems for the lighter vehicles, slowing down the tanks as they were forced to wait lest they become caught without infantry support.

In the open, where masses of armoured vehicles could and would advance impressively, seeing hundreds of tanks approaching was the final straw for many already engaged Imperial units, who began to retreat in disorder. On the other hand, in thicker forests, where confusion reigned, resistance was significantly heavier for the advancing troops of the Federal Republic. Lighter and more nimble LY219 Mobile Gun Systems and infantry formed the spearhead of the assault in these sectors, with the Warhounds in support, to prevent the tanks from being isolated and picked off.

The Imperial response to the beginning of the mass assault was swift. The bombs had performed unsurprisingly, from an Imperial perspective at least, causing some casualties and lowering morale due to their scale but doing little damage to an already-ruined city. Armoured divisions of T-90s continued to assemble to halt the enemy advance. A tentative plan for the 1,400 tanks now on the city outskirts was to drive straight up the main highway and the cleared areas around it, which was most heavily fortified and was hence holding out better than the other open areas around the city. This would then split the enemy in two, and these forces could then attack the rear, without facing superior Warhounds head-on. Communications problems would hopefully stop the enemy from responding to this rapidly, and perhaps they could be surrounded. There was, however, the most obvious danger of a swift response by the Republicans closing the breach in their lines, pulling back slightly to consolidate and destroying the counterattack with ease, but there was little better on such short notice. The plan was hastily sent to allies for approval.

[OOC: Oh, thought that this has died]

Armavir

The Olmedrecan 58th division which had been first to join the fight, had been on retreat with imperial forces at forests. General Lumi knew that his and imperial troops were on unavoidable retreat, in other areas situation seemed to be even more serious. But first unclear, but positive messages about the Manthian arrival made situation seem a lot more positive. Also Puskar had not deployed any other of nine Olmedrecan divisions to fight yet, indicating he wanted to use them all in a counter-attack.

In Olmedrecan HQ, several attacking plans had been put forward, with officers arguing which is the best angle for attacking. Some officers were still hesitant due lack of good intelligence. Then information about Imperials counter-attack plan arrived General Puskar said: “This is the Schwerpunkt.” Others agreed, weakness that imperials had spotted in the republican line was best choice. Four divisions with total 1300 Wolfhound tanks were going to be main strike force, with remaining 5 mechanized divisions ready to support in expanding advance and to prevent any last minute retaliation from flanks of “Schwerpunkt”. That plan was best hope for decisive victory, but everyone realized that it is serious gambling, if Republicans have any free reserves in that area, which Imperialists failed to notice, then armoured spearhead may run directly into a trap. As one officer of staff, Colonel Jõgi, commented: “If we pull it off as planned, we will get medals by a bucket. If we fail, men at our spearhead will receive only posthumous medals.”

Most worrying factor for officers was synchronization of actions with imperial and Manthian forces. Information about Olmedrecan forces participation in attack against enemy weak point was sent to Allied forces, while Olmedrecan divisions were making final preparations for attack. Everyone felt that decisive engagement is about to start.

A soft rain of plaster fell across the temporary Manthian headquarters, as a Hamilayan bomb landed somewhere outside in the city streets. Gamar didn’t blink, his eyes fixed on the tactical reports he was getting from Imperial and Manthian troops on the front.

He’s been told by his commanders that no more armor would arrive for at least a day, and even basic infantry could not be got to the city for two to four more hours. The Manthian forces in Hamilay were at the end of a very long and somewhat precarious logistical line, and delays that cropped up were difficult to deal with quickly. That left him to rely only on his present forces and the dangerously wavering Imperial troops.

Even if he ran out of ammunition, he reflected, it would be over a day before he got any more. His forces had been landed with significant supplies of most items, of course, but some, such as APFSDS rounds, were already running somewhat low. There were a lot of enemy tanks on the other side of the woods.

For now, though, his part of the front was stable. Those woods were mostly to thank for it, and even if the Hamilayans eventually managed to push through the woods, he was confident it would not be for some days.

Unless they were simply outflanked, of course. To prevent that, something had to be done to shore up the Imperial lines elsewhere.

His thought process was interrupted as a lieutenant handed him a message, from the Imperial commander. He quickly drafted a reply.

Seems the best move at present. The battle may be lost if it continues along the present course due to Republican advantage across open ground - if the Olmedrecans commit their reserve this could change, but even so the enemy will still have the advantage while we remain in a defensive posture.

Enemy attack is less pressing here thanks to the woods, and I have some reserves. If you want diversions in this area before the main attack, or holding attacks afterwards to stop them shifting troops from here, we can do that.

Significant reinforcements from the armored divisions we landed further north will start to arrive in twenty-four to twenty-six hours. Some light infantry will arrive sooner. It is not that long a time to hold out, if this push can be defeated.

South of Armavir, on the Valencia highway

The T-90s, supported by infantry mounted in BTR-80s and BMP-3s, rolled down the road as fast as possible, which was slower than normal due to snow. Enemy strategy of maintaining a continuous front meant that the size of the opposition at this point in the line was similar to that faced anywhere else, although it was more tank-heavy being in an open area.

That meant six armoured divisions, plus Manth and Olmedrecan were moving south towards a strip of only a few kilometres of land defended by only one division of Republican troops, and perhaps two or three independent brigades. Republicans had many reserves to call on, but whether they would respond in time remained to be seen.

However, the Imperial forces already on the scene had been torn to ribbons, and a few thousand men was all that remained of the 85th Rifles. This was almost the dead centre of the front, though, so the forces of the Federal Republic had paid dearly for the stretch of highway already claimed with eight thousand bodies.

"Hold here," muttered the commander of the lead company, one Major Becker, an officer of the 388th Guards Armoured. The T-90 command tank ground to a halt, the rest of its unit slowing to a crawl. The hatch popped open and Becker scanned the horizon with his binoculars. In the distance flashes of light and small moving shapes were visible. Any tanks and vehicles were obviously still keeping out of sight. He nodded to himself and slammed the hatch back down.

"Okay, people, we have infantry up ahead. No other hostiles in sight, yet. Keep your eyes out for ambushing tanks. Clear to advance, but we have friendlies up there, so watch your fire. Third platoon, cover our right flank and take the house over there. Let's show these bastards what happens to people who invade the Empire!"

The company began moving down the highway again, and a few minutes later they passed the Imperial lines and began to fire. Republican tanks and IFVs came into view, having hung back to provide fire support while the infantry mopped up the broken Imperial troops in the area, or so they thought. The arrival of reinforcements instilled them with new life, and the Guards broke cover to follow the tanks into the attack, with the rest of the 388th close behind.

"Gunner, target tank one o'clock! Sabot!"

"Sabot firing!"

"Hit! Good kill! Company, we've got Republican APCs approaching on the left. Gunner, command vehicle, ten o'clock. Put a heat round on it."

"Heat round away!"

"That's a hit! Nice shot, Rogers."

Suddenly, the major's tank shook with the impact of a 120mm round, striking the tread. He screamed a curse and hit the control for smoke grenades.

"We're hit! Driver, get us out of here!"

The tank valiantly tried to move backwards to no avail.

"Goddammit. Get that radio up and running, I need a recovery vehicle up here ASAP. Company, Hawk One is hit, requesting cover fire."

Unknown to the major and his tank crew, the recovery vehicle would save their lives. The engagement had escalated into a full-scale battle, with the rest of the division's forces now on the scene and more units arriving, and the Republican officers were panicking.

"Alpha One, Alpha One, come in! This is Charlie Four, we are under heavy attack, there are hostile tanks all over the fucking place! It's a full-scale offensive! I need reinforcements, fire support, whatever the hell you can send! We're being overrun! ... INCOMING!"

The panic was contagious, and two Tu-160 Blackjacks took off. Their payload was two GBU-43 MOAB weapons each. Just as Major Becker's tank was being pulled out of the battle zone, the bombs fell to earth.

In a spectacular display of light and sound, a square kilometre of ground was levelled. Almost two thousand Imperial troops were annihilated in the blast.

However, this was a mistake by Republican forces. The remnants of their troops who were delaying the enemy advance were also unlucky enough to be caught at ground zero, finishing off the last Republican resistance to the counterattack in that sector. More importantly, every obstacle for hundreds of metres was flattened, and the enemy divisions had a good field of open ground to advance over. With large local superiority in numbers, the loss of the forward units would not pose too much of a problem to the advancing Imperialists.

After they got over their shock, the divisions of the Empire began to move forward once more. A message was sent to all forces involved in the counteroffensive;

Forward elements of Imperial forces have broken through the Imperial lines. All units are clear to continue advancing.

Sorry about that, post up.

South of Armavir

Olmedrecan assault was preceded by a short artillery barrage. Accuracy then hitting enemy units that recon had spotted was somewhat tolerable, but other than that, accuracy was horrible. As one artillery officer said: “4th battery reporting 100% accuracy, we are shooting this white mess, and so far every shot has hit the target, as this white mess is everythere.” Barrage was obviously short, it only needed to soften forward enemy units a bit, making it longer would give enemy too much time prepare.

As barrage ended, Olmedrecans advanced, three armoured divisions with Wolfhounds were leading the way. Due regular communication problems caused by the horrible weather, local commanders were given high freedom and ordered to show initiave. The general command was simple, ”advance as far and as fast as possible”. Then meeting a strong enemy resistance at some point, first units, instead of getting bogged down in fighting, tried to bypass the enemy forces and continue advance. Poor weather conditions would make situation a lot more confusing for enemy units and make effective reacting for such manouvers a lot more complicated. For dealing with the points with heavy resistance, self propellered artilley and multiple launch rocket systems which followed advancing units, took those enemy positions under concentrated fire. Total nine divisions were on the move.

Somewhere in snowstorm three Olmedrecan HEMTT trucks moved. They had been part of larger group which was following forward units but had got separated from the rest in snowstorm. In leading truck two men were speaking:

“You know Karl, we may run into enemy at any moment. We don’t have any proper map at all. Also troops who we are to support may have all already died in some enemy ambush.”

“Shut up Juhan! I know very fucking well what may happen and that we don’t have map, you don’t need to remind me this shit all the time!”

“Not to mention possibility that those so-called allies we have, or even other Olmedrecans, mistakenly fire on us in this…”

“I said shut up fucktard! I don’t want to hear it anymore!”

Suddenly the second truck in a group exploded after being hit by something, probably a anti-tank missile. Karl turned truck off the road while repeating “Totally fucked. Totally fucked. Totally fucked.” Few seconds later the truck got stuck. “Get out and run!” shouted Juhan, and moment later both men were running away as fast as possible. The third truck of group tried to get away, it turned around, while enemy shells landed near it, and tried to escape back from where it had came. But few seconds later it suffered direct hit and blew up in violent explosion, clearly killing everyone inside. Juhan and Karl were running away, desperately hoping that enemy will not bother to capture them, but then they heard shots from where they had left their truck, enemy soldiers had came closer and noticed them. Suddenly they felt great heat and noise behind them, looking behind they immediately stopped worrying about enemy, Juhan shouted:

“This area is being napalmed, run, just fucking run!”

Both men ran even faster than before. This bombardment was probably done by their own countrymen, Olmedrecan officers were known for their fondness of napalm due enormous psychological effect it had one those who were targeted. Possibility of getting hit by random bullet seemed nothing compared to possibility of being burned by napalm. Enemy obviously had now other problems to deal with. After running for some time men stopped, Juhan only now realized that he had forgot his DAC-97 Submachine Gun in HEMTT and had only TDX .40 pistol, Karl had not made that mistake. Juhan said:

“Excellent, how much more fucked we can get?”

“Don’t whine, if enemy had attacked us little later we would had been burned with that napalm too, we were fucking lucky.”

“So what, we are now here on foot in middle of nowhere, with that damn snow everythere, we only need to meet another enemy group to finish us off.”

“Ah, just shut up.” Karl answered and both men walked in silence for some time. About half a hour later they both started hearing some noise. As it went stronger it was clearly heading for them, but visibility was just horrible. Then they finally saw approacing tanks it was clearly too late to hide, but then tanks got closer both men smiled, tanks with Olmedrecan pentagrams was exactly what they had hoped for. There were not only tanks but also IFV’s and APC’s in that group. Karl and Juhan raised their hands and shouted in Estonian:

“Don’t shoot, we are Olmedrecans!”

Few seconds later someone replied: “Praise the Satan!”

Juhan cursed silently, of ten Olmedrecan divisions operating in this area they happened to run into the units of the one he really preferred to avoid, Infernals. Although Olmedreca could be described as satanistic by main religion, many people were rather close to atheism and saw satanism more like philosophy, not a religion. But there were also some radical fanatics, who seriously believed in serving Satan. Infernal divisions had high rate of such people, as fanaticism was actively promoted in those units, and men received ideological indoctrination. They were oftenly compared to historical Waffen-SS. Juhan and Karl were approached by few men, including a lieutenant who shouted: “Report!” Karl shortly explained what had happened to them, after what lietenant looked towards Juhan and asked:

“Soldier, where is your gun?”

“I forgot it, then we got attacket it…” Juhan tried to explain but was fastly interrupted by Lieutenant.

“Whatever! It is shame that we have “soldiers” like this in Olmedreca. This time that generous sergeant will give you new one, if you forget that one too, then you may also forget returning to Olmedreca in one piece. Now you both into that APC fast! And don’t get on my mens way if fighting starts!”

Few minutes later, with tanks on the lead, group moved on.

South of Armavir, a shorter part of the front

This long into the battle the Manthian forces, heavily armored though they were, were feeling the effects of fighting against a much more numerous opponent. In an effort to give the Imperial troops along this part of the line time to cath their breath, Gamar had thrown his troops forward aggressively, and though it may have bought that time, the 9th Brigade had paid a heavy price. Soon the Imperials would have to do their own fighting here again as well, as the 9th was very quickly disintegrating as a recognizable fighting force.

The remaining tanks and armored vehicles were being drawn back and concentrated again, leaving foot infantry and light support vehicles to help the Imperials delay the enemy a bit longer in the forests. Though the count was sadly diminished from when the 9th had first rolled into the city, the heavy forces would hopefully be enough for the last task that would be asked of them today.

Colonel Muhammed Hakim peered into the snowy evening from the cockpit of his Nakil. The snow had cleared up a little bit since the morning, and he could make out the surrounding tanks - twenty on his left and nineteen on his right, mixed in with a few APCs that had survived and weren't immediately needed elsewhere. Behind them, instead of the reserves that would be necessary for a sustained attack, was simply one more line of tanks - that was all that was left. The front was still good though, and unless you knew that there were no following elements, this line looked almost like a credible major second attack. Hopefully by the time that the Hamilayans realized there was nothing else except the first two lines, their response to the other attack would be delayed enough to make a difference.

Hakim ducked back inside his tank, satisfied that everything had been prepared as much as possible. As he reached for the radio to give the attack order, he couldn't suppress a grin at the thought of what was coming next. They would be lucky if anyone survived this, but by hell it would start with a bang.

As the tanks rolled forward, the plains in front of them turned orange. Courtesy of several dozen LY300 MRLS vehicles, enemy positions for several hundred feet around the point of advance were being saturated with an excessive number of unguided thermobaric rockets. At least for a few minutes, the way forward would be lit by the flaming wreck of a small bit of the enemy front line.

Republican Theater Command

With the beginning of the Armavir Offensive, as it was already beginning to be called, General Kovar and his staff had moved north to be closer to the largest action of the war so far. They had now set up shop in a small town, although as befitted a five-star general, still a good distance from the fighting. Direct reports of the news of the breach in the Republican lines to the HQ had come through just a few minutes ago, and the mood in the command post was grim.

"Sir? Colonel-General Robinson is on the line and requesting orders." Robinson was the senior Hamilayan commander in the field.

"Put him through," sighed Kovar.

"General Kovar?"

"Robinson. Report."

"The situation is not good, Jan. At least six divisions are now moving to exploit the breach in our lines. The reserves are moving now to try and close it. I have ordered all forces to hold in place. I'm sorry."

Kovar shook his head. "Don't be. The advance cannot continue in this state. Twelve Corps is moving up the road to assist you, but don't expect them for another twenty-four hours."

"We can't last that long. I'm going to have to fall back within a few hours."

"I know. Give them a hard lesson all the same," said Kovar, knowing that Robinson and the soldiers of the Federal Republic didn't need to be asked, and knowing that it would be futile nonetheless.

"I have reports of a Manthian attack materialising up at grid square oscar-sixteen. This is the only other major aggressive move the enemy have made. Please advise."

"They can't possibly have the resources to pull off another one," said Kovar with enough scorn to mask the fear he felt at that moment. It was clear what 'another one' referred to. If the enemy managed to crack his lines and push through with multiple divisions in two spots, this would turn from a large defeat likely followed by an orderly retreat into possibly one of the bloodiest days in the history of the Hamilayan Army.

"We thought that way about the first attack, didn't we?" Robinson said reasonably.

"Let's see. You have 511th Mechanized moving?" said Kovar, looking down at the map and selecting a division some kilometres south of the grid square. "Detach a brigade... no, we can't spare that. A regiment and an armoured battalion, say. Detach them from the 511th and send them to reinforce that position. That should buy us enough time to find out what's going on. If it is a major attack, you must retreat to reform the line immediately, you understand?"

"Crystal clear, General."

"Good luck, Robinson," said Kovar quietly, mostly to himself.

South of Armavir

The hit-and-miss nature of thermobaric rocket fire hadn't caused too many initial casualties to the 1440th Infantry Battalion, or what was left of it, but it had certainly made holding the area for longer a suicidal proposition. To await the enemy advance, the battalion's 250 remaining soldiers had withdrawn to form a curved ambush zone around the line a few hundred metres back. Infantry took cover behind rocks and trees with antitank weapons, and the battalion's remaining vehicles - Ironheart APCs and IFVs, plus a few invaluable ATGM carriers and mobile gun systems - formed the centre of the line to meet the enemy thrust. There were no tanks. To give the impression Republican forces had withdrawn, the burning remains of unlucky vehicles and men were left behind in the barrage area where they had fallen, as much as it pained their comrades to do so. Hopefully, the Manthian tanks wouldn't have caught anything more than a quick glimpse of any Hamilayans, much less where they were going, and hopefully, they would drive into the sights of numerous missile launchers. Hopefully, this wasn't a major attack, and hopefully, the promised reinforcements would arrive in time.

So many things to hope for, thought the battalion's commanding officer, a captain. The colonel previously in charge was now one of the bodies out in the charred field, although a victim of an Imperial BMP-3 rather than rocket fire.

"Ma'am? Second and third platoons of A company report enemy forces moving into view." Those platoons were those closest to the enemy, on the ends of the semicircle.

"Tell them to stay cool and for god's sakes stay out of sight. No one fires a shot until I give the word.

South of Armavir

The entirety of the Manthian force was saved from stumbling into Republican ambush only by the standing orders for the assault - they had been ordered to spread out as quickly as possible once the enemy front lines had been passed, both to increase survivability against a counterattack and more importantly to increase the apparent size of the attacking force to enemy reconnaisance. As such, when the leading edges of the Hamilayan semicircle caught sight of Manthian tanks advancing, they were actually looking at vehicles closer to the center of the advance than the flanks, which were advancing at an angle to spread the force out rather than straight ahead. Still, when the four tanks and single APC of 5th Squadron came into view of the Republican platoon, moving slowly to allow their dismounted infantry to keep up, they didn't spot the welcome awaiting them. The lieutenant in command, new to the job after his superior officer had been killed some hours before, was much more preoccupied with watching the millimeter radar for enemy armored vehicles than with trying to watch for infantry through the driving snow.

Varna

"No, fuck the squash heads! Just get the guns and one-seventies loaded on. I'll send squash heads and the rest later if our friends here scrounge up a spare train, which right now looks about as likely as the fucking White Christ coming down to save us all."

The overseer gestured angrily with his radio towards the dock stacked meters high with steel crates, ready to be offloaded onto a waiting train. Several forklift vehicles were engaged in shifting the ammunition, but there was a serious problem - there was simply not enough room for all the required equipment. Nor was this an isolated incident. Imperial infrastructure had simply proved insufficient for what the Manthians needed - there were over two hundred thousand Manthian soldiers and tens of thousands of vehicles in the Empire by now, and more were arriving evey hour on planes and aboard ships, but the capacity to move them all from the northern docks to the front lines was lacking. Days after the first Manthian soldiers had arrived, only five thousand of the two hundred thousand had yet engaged the enemy, and many had barely moved at all. The Manthians were commandeering any trains, trucks, or even river barges the Imperials could spare to move their troops into action, and it was still nowhere near enough.

Not that it was as bad as it could have been, of course. Normally attempting to move large numbers of troops from the northern reaches of the Empire into the disputed areas around Armavir would have been made nigh-impossible, at least during the last leg of the journey, by Republican air superiority. The bad weather had granted somewhat of a reprieve, however, and, unsure how long the good fortune would last, the focus of Manthian efforts was in getting as many troops as possible south while the weather lasted.

With a large number of troops on the ground now, the sealift operation was shifting to focus on other areas. Railroads, for example, were easy and quick to repair even after large-scale airstrikes, as long as the necessary materials were available. Since the Empire was unlikely to have large strategic stockpiles of things like fuel or rolled steel, however, needed materials were being shipped in wholesale. Troop transports were being replaced with cargo ships offloading large quantities of gasoline, rolled steel, trucks, and even rolling stock and engines to supplement the Imperial transportation network. And on the military side of things, self-propelled SAM platforms and air superiority fighters, along with anti-aircraft missiles of all types, were becoming the most important items to bring in, in anticipation of a possible impending struggle for air control. All this was being shipped in under the watch of the Manthian fleet, which remained to the north of the Empire and, for the time being, had not made any move to turn south and engage the Republican navy.

Bridge of the Navarine, several hundred kilometers north of the Empire

The command room of the Navarine was a study in the information age of warfare - data from hundreds of ships and thousands of aircraft, radar stations, and satellites were every instant arriving and being processed by the ships' computers, which busily weeded out the irrelevant and constructed the remainder into a coherent and constantly updating strategic overview. From here, the commander of the Grand Fleet could access infromation ranging from satellite information on Hamilayan fleet movements, to the number, type and location of aircraft currently in the air from every vessel in the Union Navy.

At the moment, however, Fleet Admiral Sash Arvando was preoccupied with a communication with the Naval High Command, initiated just minutes ago. The Northern Baltic had surrendered, and with the ink not yet dry on the treaty the Baltic Expeditionary Fleet was being reassigned to new duties.

"You know the readiness of my ships,"

Admiral Ibrahim Hassan's voice came through with nary a crackle, and the slightly apologetic tone in his voice was clear.

"Those Baltic suicide attacks near the end of the fighting took some toll, and what ships are still undamaged will need a port stopover to reload VLS systems and take on additional munitions. What can be done by underway replenishment will, but we are a week from setting out at best."

Arvando frowned.

"Too long to wait. The Hamilayan navy may not have made any move towards us yet, but if their armies meet setbacks on land they may try to take the fight to the seas. If they do we are outmatched, possibly even with Olmedrecan help."

"Nothing I can do. You'll have to make do with submarines for now. At best I can get you more of those."

"Do that."

Arvando turned impatiently away from his screen. Even with massive submarine support - several hundred had been freed up by the end of the Baltic war, and having seen little action were more battle-ready and would arrive much sooner than the surface fleet - there were sharp limits to what submarines alone could accomplish. It was absolutely necessary to keep the northern sea and air approaches to the Empire open in order to maintain the Manthian commitments on the ground, but if it came to a general fleet engagement, though there would doubtless be massive damage done to both sides, he wasn't at all sure who would come out on top.

Here's to hoping then, he thought, that the prospect of the destruction even the winning side would suffer would keep the Hamilayan and Manthian fleets out of each others' way for at least a little while longer.

South of Armavir

Olmedrecan divisions continued pushing as fast as possible. Three armoured divisions had so far taken most of fighting. Now then meeting Hamilayan reserves thrown to slow them down, Infernals which was 4th division in the lead, assaulted enemy positions with full agressiveness, sometimes accepting higher losses then usual for ensuring as fast breakthrough as possible. As feared enemy counterattack on flanks of main assault did not materialize, other five divisions which had been holding back so far, also started advancing faster.


Juhan and Karl had been sitting in a APC with group of infernals. Others generally ignored their presence, with exception of the sergeant, but they actualy liked it that way. After all they were supply personel who due circumstances were in same boat with fanatical elite. Suddenly vehicle stopped and sergeant shouted: “All out! You two too! We can’t use you in fight but you can help our wounded!” As they got out, they realized that there were more Olmedrecans here, some also from ordinary armoured divisions. Only dozen meters away two officers were having loud dispute. One was clearly infernal while other was member of army. Army officer said:

“As I said, we need to wait for our artillery and rocket launchers. Those Hamilayans destroyed several our tanks from that hill, we can’t take it without proper support fire. And capturing other republican positions nearby is irrelevant while we can’t get that hill. Its too good position for supressing everything else.”

“Support fire may take few hours to arrive, if you can’t take hill in time then we will do it for you!”

“You would have too serious losses, you are not bulletproof you know!”

“No we aren’t, but we are in hurry, also this conversation is waste of time” infernals officer impolitely answered, turned around and started giving orders for his men. Juhan and Karl soonly realized why army officer had suggested to wait, burning tanks and dead bodies near hill clearly indicated that enemies had managed to take good defensive position. But they also saw that there was clear resolve to take the hill. As infernals approached it they started taking notable losses despite trying to hold low profile. Support fire that tanks and mortars gave from distance, was unable to prevent such losses. Although approach was bloody, infernals clearly made it closer and closer, then reaching to suitable distance enemy positions were attacked with large number of grenades and directly stormed. Then Juhan and Karl reached to hill five minutes later they realized what kind of final really bruttal fighting had taken place there. Hamilayans on that hill had shown true courage and fought till the end, with only small number trying to escape, most of those didn’t make it. As Juhan was helping Olmedrecan wounded who had got several bullet wounds in one of his legs, just few meters away one of the few captured enemies was brought in front of lieutenant, who said simply: “field interrogation!”

Juhan did not realize what it meant but two infernals holding prisoner seemed to know this as they nodded, and one pulled out a knife. Liutenant shouted to prisoner few questions: “What is your unit? Are there any republican reserves nearby?” Prisoner only spitted. Two seconds later infernal with knife sliced off fingertips of his left hand. Prisoner screamed for a moment, but then closed mouth and spitted again. Immediately his hand was sliced shorter again, process repeated several times, with screams getting louder, after five cuts prisoners left hand had been cut down to wrist and liutenant said: “Still no cooperation? Now the right hand!”

In his mind Juhan thanked all saints and devils in the world, that he could leave the scene, then he helped one wounded man back towards Olmedrecan positions. Screams of the tortured Hamilayan behind him got louder and louder. On his way back he noticed that the successful assault on hill was being exploited with several tanks already moving. Karl was waiting him near APC and said:

“You seem to have rather shocked face?”

“Well, I saw something totally disgusting.” answered Juhan silently.

“Its war, it is supposed to be disgusting.”

“Some shit should not take place even during the war, but I don’t want to discuss this.”

Karl was still curios but stayed silent. Few minutes later lieutenant who had organized the “interrogation” returned, without the prisoner, and ordered them to get on APC as they will move on. Karl suggested that now then there were other Olmedreca units nearby who they could join, maybe they as supply personel unfit for heavy fighting, should leave infernals to avoid getting into their way. Lieutenant just flatly denied request without further explanations. Soonly everyone were moving again, advance continued.

South of Armavir

The commanding officer of the 1440th Battalion lowered the binoculars from her eyes. Yes, there were definitely a good few vehicles about to run right into them. Not so many as had been first sighted, though. The scouts may just have given confusing reports, but they were either following behind or spread out across the field. That was a worry, as the tanks on the edge of the advance would be in a lovely spot to flank the battalion's position. Still, it couldn't be helped, there was no time to redeploy now.

"Enemy tanks in sight. Pick your targets, gunners. Hold your fire."

Two anti-tank launchers and one guided missile shifted through the foliage, coming to stop on the advancing 5th Squadron vehicles. The ATGM carriers and one 105mm gun did the same.

A soldier ran up to the captain, crouching low with his rifle slung across his back and glancing around furtively.

"Sergeant Tan says he sees tanks on our right. Looks like they're going to pass by us. No numbers."

The captain cursed mentally, this would be trouble. Hopefully, they would run into reinforcements and be distracted from the battalion's positions. No word on any reinforcements, but the report had got through and it was certainly important enough for more troops. Wasn't it?

"Tell the sergeant that once the missiles are fired he's to get back to my position at the centre ASAP. Keep those tanks from flanking us."

"Will do, marm."

The vehicles were close enough now that the captain didn't need her binoculars, but she picked them up again anyway.

"Fire at will."

The smoke trails of rockets were the reply. Streams of light machine gun tracers followed.

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

Lance-Corporal Clarke was running. His empty rifle had been discarded back on Hill 104, and his only weapon now was the service pistol in his right hand, which only had four bullets in it. Only good for committing suicide should the Olmedrecans catch me, he thought grimly. The areligious nature of Hamilay had meant that Satanism was treated like most other religions, and any disturbing associated elements were quickly dismissed, but with someone's screams echoing through the air even at this distance from the hill, he was starting to wonder. The Olmedrecans had certainly fought like devils. His 59th Mechanised Battalion had given as good as they'd got, and had mostly died on that godforsaken hill. The assault had been held back for some time, but then the Satanists - as Clarke was beginning to refer to them in his mind - had mounted the summit tossing grenades like wedding rice and in a few awful minutes everything on the hill was burning. The only other Hamilayan soldier the lance-corporal saw standing after that had stumbled down the other side of the hill with him, only for one of a lucky spread of bullets to catch the poor bastard in the back of the head.

A rock in the snow then caused Clarke to stumble. Swearing, he picked himself back up and kept going. After an eternity of panicked running, he slowed as shapes began to appear through the snow ahead of him. Suddenly, there was a crack and a bullet whistled over his head. Instinctively, he threw himself to the ground and raised the pistol. Not that it would be any use against several rifle-armed soldiers at this distance, but he could -

"Goddamn it, hold your fire, hold your fire!"

Clarke decided discretion was the better part of valour and dropped the pistol, raising his hands above his head and resuming movement forward. He almost fell to his knees with relief when the first face that came into view had a Hamilayan camouflage-pattern helmet above it.

"Liedel, you idiot, you almost killed one of our guys! You okay, soldier? What's your rank and unit?"

"Boy, am I glad to see you. Lance-Corporal Clarke, 59th Mech Batt."

"Oh, you're from Hill 104. What the hell happened?" asked the other soldier, noting Clarke's appearance and lack of a rifle. More Hamilayan faces gathered around. The first soldier - wearing lieutenant's bars, Clarke saw - put his hand on his shoulder and guided him towards a waiting Fox utility vehicle.

"Too many fucking Satanists, that's what happened. I don't know if anyone else got away."

"Get in, we're going back to HQ."

"You're not going to advance on 104?" Clarke asked with a snort.

"Just the advance guard of the 482nd Inf. We're advancing in the other direction now. Orders came out about ten minutes ago, looks like all our units are in full retreat. You're lucky you got here now, or we'd have left and you'd have been stuck on your ass out in the snow." The Hamilayans piled into the vehicle and the lieutenant started the engine, which came to life after a few tries. They promptly turned around and accelerated.

"So... we've lost the war?" said the lance-corporal flatly. He would have appeared to cared more, but the stress of his escape was now catching up to him, and he began to shiver in his seat.

[OOC – oh whole battallion. I actualy intended it as small engagement, just for illustrative purposes. With only local importance, to avoid making it serious godmodding on my part :) But if you think that batallion sized killing is fine then its also fine to me]

South of Amavir

Major Lepavõsa walked on the Hill 104, atleast that was its name according to some interrogation reports. Although it clearly deserved a more colourful name. Dead bodies of Hamilayans and Olmedrecans were all around him. Now Olmedrecan flag had been hoisted on hill as symbol of victory, but Lepavõsa did not agree with such victories. He was confident, that waiting for artillery would had helped to avoid large amount of casualties. But fanatical Infernals had decided to take hill by direct assault. Probably they hoped that enemy would panic and flee. In reality enemy had standed and fought, almost to last man. Now there were only few Olmedrecans on hill, as majority had rushed on, to keep advance up and pursue any Hamilayans. He heard that they had collided with another force of Hamilayans advancing on hill, but most of intelligence reports seemed to indicate that enemy is on general retreat in that area. Olmedrecan HQ had ordered full scale pursuit of enemy as fast as possible. Suddenly Lepavõsa noticed a dead body which had its hands sliced in pieces, he immediately realised what had happened. Major cursed fanatics and walked on.

Olmedrecan HQ at Amavir

At Olmedrecan HQ everyone had been busy since offensive began. Although weather was still a problem for communications and getting clear view of battlefield was problematic, reports about enemy forces retreating in several locations started arriving. According to intelligence estimations Republicans would need atleast some hours for bringing more reinforcements. To fully exploit those hours all forces had been ordered to press forward. General Puskar realized, that although his offensive seemed to go fine according to early reports, he lacked accurate information about Imperials who should be operating nearby. So he ordered Imperials to be informed about current situation of Olmedrecan advance, and inquire about situation at that front.

South of Armavir

"Ambush front!"

The words were almost inaudible over the storm and the roar of vehicle engines and gunfire, but the other soldiers hardly needed the warning. After the sight of two Nakils being struck by ATGMs in short order and the clatter of enemy machine guns starting up, the situation was clear, though the enemy position was apparently some way off. Infantrymen quickly scrambled for cover, not all quickly enough though as a number of unlucky men had caught a Hamilayan bullet and were left behind in the open. The remaining soldiers quickly returned fire, using the enemy's tracers to pinpoint the location and directing rifle fire and underbarrel grenades in that direction.

Meanwhile inside one of the surviving two tanks there was a considerable amount of swearing going on, while the turret rotated to lob a HE shell back at the location the rockets had come from. Only a fortuitous angle of impact had saved this tank from a 105mm shell a few seconds ago, and the driver was doing his best to get out of the way of any more shots while the gunner returned fire and the tanks APS saturated the area in smoke grenades. Only a few moments later though a second 105mm shell found a more lucky spot to hit than the first, tearing through the left tread and its mechanisms and sending the tank careening off kilter with a scream of gears and tortured machinery. The tank crew were quick to scramble out before the Hamilayan gunner could send a third shell downrange to finish the job, while thanking lucky stars that the shell had not hit a little higher.

By this time the commander of the one remaining tank was on the radio, and nearby squadrons which had been advancing on the flank were rerouted to perform standard drill in case of a far ambush, attacking the enemy from a different angle while the original force sought cover and attempted to pin the enemy down with return fire. The two nearest squadrons from the Manthian flank turned to approach the new enemy location from the side, while other groups were advised that enemy infantry was still in the area and to keep on guard against further attacks. After all, where there was one group of Republican soldiers there were likely more - one problem that the Republican troops in this battle had not suffered was low number of soldiers.

Republican Theater Command

Everyone watching the moving rectangles representing Hamilayan and other units south of Armavir was despairing. The model, continually updated based on reports from the field, showed the Imperial breakthrough divisions now several kilometers on the Republican side of the front line had been stopped by a division of mechanised infantry, but it was hanging on by the skin of its teeth, and was shouting for help. Hamilayan front line units were falling back to assist it, and it should be able to hold, but it was plain the front line was crumbling, and Colonel-General Robinson had been proactive in already ordering the beginnings of a retreat.

"General? Sayenna just got back to us. You have authorisation," said one of the officers manning communications. General Kovar shook his head and sighed.

"Fine. Send it."

Imperial Theater Command

Conversely, as might be expected, the mood in the Armavir central railway station was jubilant. The Republicans were being pushed back hard. Although they could certainly decide to continue the war if they wished, everyone conveniently ignored that in favour of celebrating what was shaping up to be the first Imperial victory of the war.

"Message for you, Commandant!" shouted a colonel who suddenly seemed much happier than most. Commandant-General Lucas walked over to him and immediately saw why.

To Commander of Imperial Forces
I congratulate you on your success. This war has become unprofitable for both of us. I propose an immediate ceasefire, to last indefinitely. Our forces will withdraw two kilometers, with no advance by yours or your allies', and hold until an agreement can be reached. Once this withdrawal is achieved and stable, meet me two hours from then at coordinates [---------] to discuss further terms.
General Kovar, COMHAMFORVAL

Lucas smiled with satisfaction. "Get the Olmedrecans and Manth on the line." A message was sent to them with the General's communication attached.

Victory is ours. The Empire will accept this ceasefire, and we respectfully request your forces do the same.

South of Armavir

The regiment of Hamilayan mechanised infantry began to appear over the horizon, a hundred armoured vehicles approaching. However, as they approached they didn't fire, and the 1440th Battalion of the Hamilayan Army began to fall back. Smoke grenades and suppressive fire were still used liberally, but the missiles and gun systems fell silent, as the Hamilayan troops retreated. The reinforcing regiment moved to provide cover and hopefully intimidate the Manthian troops into not pushing their luck, if the ceasefire message had become stuck somewhere in the pipeline and hadn't reached them.

OOC: Okay, let's wrap this thing up. I have been planning this, not just bailing out, by the way. :p

Olmedrecan commanders were unsatisfied with so early cease fire. General Puskar had hoped to recapture Valencia, before any talks start, to get a better bargaining position. But there was also no point continuing fighting if imperials had already accepted a cease fire, and all Olmedrecan units were ordered to stop advancing. But to avoid completely wasting time, cease-fire was used for regrouping the forces, so that if talks fail, advance could continue. Only one hour after accepting the cease-fire, General Puskar received a laconical top secret message from Olmedreca:

******TOP SECRET******

FROM: Tormilind
TO: Puskar, HACIC

All captured Republic of Hamilay Military Intelligence Unit (MIU) officers must be separated from other prisoners immediately, and handled over to Olmedrecan Military Intelligence. This needs to be kept as a complete secret.

Puskar was clearly suprized. What was so interesting about those Hamilayan MIU people that Head of Olmedrecan military intelligence personally handled the matter? Puskar did not know if they had even captured any. He suspected that Intelligence wants to strongly interrogate some of those MIU people for some reason. But it was also obvious that he won’t be given any information about this affair that he does not directly need. Puskar was not interested in getting involved in dirty espionage games anyway, so he just gave necessary orders and then got back to overseeing troop manouvers.

South of Armavir

Far contact front, count around one hundred enemy armor plus support advancing towards our position. Need support badly..."

There were a few nods, and a lot of grim looks as the message was received in Section Red, audible despite some static caused by the large quantities of ECM bouncing around from both sides. This would be the enemy counterattack they had hoped to provoke, and while in a few minutes the Hamilayans would doubtless find out how full of holes the Manthian attack was, the charade would have to be kept up as long as possible. An officer picked up his radio, preparing to order all available squadrons into an attack on the direct center of the approaching enemy formation.

"The enemy has stopped, they're moving the other way under smoke now. Enemy artillery has stopped firing..."

Grim looks turned to confusion, but only for a few seconds as another message quickly came in, this one carrying a unique precursor signal identifying its origin as Brigade headquarters back in Armavir.

"All forces halt advance immediately and consolidate at line of control. Republicans have asked for a ceasefire which is henceforth in effect. Revert to Level II engagement rules."

There was a moment of silence, and then someone began to shout and the section quickly filled with a mix of suprised laughter and cheering.

Union Army Central Command
To: Commandant-General Lucas, Imperial Theatre Command
General Puskar, Olmedrecan Headquarters at Armavir

All Union military forces have been directed to accept and abide by the agreed-on ceasefire. Congratulations on a successful defense, Commandant-General Lucas, and jointly to Imperial and Olmedrecan forces on the successful counterattack.

*****

In truth the cease-fire was not only welcome to the Manthian leadership but extremely necessary, as forces near the front were all but exhausted. Manthian commanders would take full advantage of the ability to move troops around behind the lines without fear of Hamilayan interference, and within two hours the battered remnants of the 9th Special Brigade were pulling out of the front lines, with two full mechanized divisions slated to take their place. Within twelve hours, two divisions were planned to swell to five, and if transportation could continue uninterrupted for longer, eventually that number would grow to twelve.

OOC: Oops, forgot to specify that you could send representatives to this little meeting, sorry. RP they're there if you wish.

South of Armavir

Commandant-General Lucas lowered the binoculars from her eyes when she saw the helicopter approaching in the distance. "So, they've come," she mumbled to the three officers next to her, two generals and a colonel. They stood on the edge of a large open field, covered in debris and pocked with shell craters. This had been the site of a battle between an Imperial infantry regiment and two Republican armoured battalions. Their BTR-80 was parked on the road behind them, on the edge of the forest, with a dozen infantry hiding in the trees, just in case.

The incoming helicopter, a huge Mi-26 Halo, touched down on the other side of the field several hundred metres away. The door opened and two figures emerged, slowly walking towards the Imperials. Shortly afterwards more figures, obviously soldiers, darted out and took up positions around the helicopter.

"Shall we?" asked Lucas, and motioned for the officers accompanying her to follow. They began walking so as to meet the Republicans in the middle of the field.

A few minutes later, and standing ten metres away from the Imperialists were a tired-looking general and a more alert four-star.

"General Kovar. Colonel-General Robinson," said Lucas, nodding her head respectfully.

"Yes, that is us," sighed Kovar. Standing on Lucas' right, he was a short man in his late fifties, with a greying moustache, in the green dress uniform of a Hamilayan army general. Robinson was taller and younger, and stared more coldly at the officers facing him, but both shared the look of men defeated. "Commandant, it is time to end this."

"Straight to the point," murmured Lucas. "Very well. Why should I not renew the assault and push your army back to Valencia and into the sea?"

"You know as well as I do that testing us would be a mistake," snapped Kovar a little too quickly. "The Republic is twenty times your size, and the journey from Olmedreca to Valencia is much longer than the ferry ride from Chernaya. This war has become unprofitable for us, but if you seek to make a quick resolution more unpalatable than its continuation, we will see who pushes who into the sea," finished the general, but his words had an empty air which Lucas recognised.

"Empty threats, Kovar? I ask you again, what does the Republic offer the Empire?"

"A non-aggression pact, free passage of people and goods."

"Lifting an already illegal blockade? Mutual non-aggression? Must I remind you who started this war? You'll have to do better than that."

"Recognition of national sovereignty," said Kovar, and slumped even lower. Lucas broke into a smile.

"Now we're getting somewhere."