NationStates Jolt Archive

It Begins

"British Londiniam Merchant Vessel, this is the Privateer Vessel "Sir Ed" We have a missile firing solution for your vessel and a quartet of exocets to make good on it, please heel to and prepare to be boarded. We aren't being paid an especially large capture bonus so we will cut our losses and destroy you at the first sign of resistance."

All over the world, mercenary groups had been hired by Mondothian Agents to act as commerce raiders, privateers with letters of Marque to attack any merchant vessel flying the flag of British Londinium.

While Mondoth had always been Anti-Imperialist, or at least had said so, The Nation had not been overly concerned by British Londinium's own imperialist actions. Embroiled in rebellion at the time of the Cazelian occupation, Mondoth had been content to let sleeping dogs lie.

Recently However, British Londinium had forced itself into The Reformed Republics awareness,and though several minor confrontations had failed to escalate into an excuse for overt war, that had never stopped Mondoth before and with trivial expenditures of Cash, a war could be manufactured from any number of stimuli.

OOC: I'd like an ally list for BLs side, if you're involved or are going to be you will have gotten a TG from him, and since I have something like 3 times his population, He's the guy to talk to if you want to get involved.

OOC:Would it be alright to assume that my government has recieved word of your letters of marque and reprisal?

Official BL ally list:
- Vetalia
- Vontanas
- Atopiana and Skgorria (as the Empire of the Wolf)

LSS Voyager
In the Mediterranican Ocean

"Erm, captain, I think we should cut power to the main engines," said the commanding officer of the merchant vessel Voyager, anxiously twiddling his thumbs.

"Why? Something wrong with them?" the captain replied, unaware of the Mondothian threat lurking off the port bow.

"Well, no, it's just that there seems to be a privateer bearing one hundred and ninety two degrees and closing, and they don't have any problems with sinking us," the second-in-command replied nervously. "At least, that's what they said over the radio."

"What, are ye spineless, me boy?" the captain growled. "We're Londinians, you fool - an' we don't go around cavin' withoutta good fight. Need I remind ye of our insurance policies?" The captain was, of course, referring to Special Service Ship Act, which armed all merchant vessels flying under the Londinian Standard with two Mark 8 4.5 inch naval guns. They would never be much in a true confrontation against a real enemy, but they were installed in the hope of fearing off the casual pirate. The slightly heavyset captain walked across the plain bridge, brusquely picking up the ship-to-ship radio.

"Now, you listen to me, ye sons of dogs," the merchant captain said angrily into the microphone. "We ain't surrenderin'; we're armed, and if you don't back off in three fucking seconds, we'll shell you back into the goddamn stone age!"

He clicked off the radio and sat down at the weapons console, a remarkably high-tech terminal amidst the aging bridge. A few clicks on the keyboard were all it took to set the weapons in motion. The two guns swiveled into firing position and unleashed a single volley, their shells splashing violently into the waters in front of the privateer's bow.

"As you know, Admiral, this situation is becoming increasingly unacceptable. Our losses are through the roof, insurers won't touch us, and it's getting damn hard to keep issuing paper to finance our operations anymore. Our security is simply not able to handle this and we need help."

"But what proof do you have of systemic piracy, executive? This is a serious charge, one that requires considerable proof...our government punishes fraud quite seriously."

"With all due respect, Admiral, you know full well our company has a very good corporate record and we would never stoop to such a low. Our trade with the Londinians has brought this country uncountable wealth over the years, and I really don't see this as any less than returning the favor."

"This government owes you nothing. Perhaps you are simply not capable of dealing with the security situation...the free market would simply let your company go down...

"But that would-"
"I suggest you do not interrupt me again. But back to the matter at hand, we aren't that cruel, are we, executive? This government prefers to ensure the stability of our economy for its own aims, which go far beyond the petty balance sheets you deal with. Although. come to think of it, your company has facilitated so many wars in the past with its trade and has allowed so many lives to be consumed in the pursuit of power...I'd say that's quite a debt to pay, if you ask me. One might see this as poetic justice..."

"...er, I, that's not true, we..."

"Ha! Nothing to say, executive? Of course, you know full well that we are all in this together...nobody in this country can argue that our alliance with the Londinians has brought us power and wealth, and I owe my very commission to service in Yarkai."

"I...I take it this means you will help us? Thank you, Admiral, you've done us a great favor, I could-"

"We shall see about that favor, executive. Now get out."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ministry of Defense

In the wake of increased piracy directed at Londinian trade ships, the Vetalian government will begin to randomly place security personnel aboard approved cargo ships as a way of investigating and ultimately destroying the source of this piracy. We will begin this program at an unspecified date and no inquiries in regard to the personnel or routes enlisted in this program will be provided.

Should a government be found to be at the root of this crime, the Praetor of Vetalia and his Proconsular staff have approved the full use of military action as a way of bringing the hostile powers to justice.

Mediterranican Ocean

"Stubborn bastard ain't he?"

"Yea, these Londinians ain't pushovers, Let's show 'em the error of their ways."

"Aye Cap'n."

The Mondothian contract had been a much needed infusion of cash for the crew of the "Sir Ed", The Exocet tubes on deck were empty and the Helicopter under the tarp wasn't real.
Wasn't really a helicopter anyway, the privateers were not weaponless. The tarp concealed a pedestal mounted 155mm L/55 cannon, at a command the tarp was flung off and the gun was swung into position. In an instant a pair of Airbursting artillery shells were screaming towards the Londinian vessel.
While the shells were still in flight, another message was sent.

"The next shots will be impact fused."

OOC: The Letters aren't just highly secret, but we didn't exactly advertise either, some snoop work would have to be done to point a finger my way.

OOC: This ship will be one with our personnel stationed on it...attacking it will hopefully get us one of your letters of marque.

Eastern Kazlova Sea

The massive cargo ship moved quietly through the gently lapping waters of the Eastern Kazlova Sea. Overhead, the warm equatorial sun shone down on the ship, bathing it in humid tropical heat and causing the crew to retreat to the shade during breaks. For all intents and purposes, it appeared as yet another Vetalian cargo ship traveling the Kazlova en route to British Londinium.

However, below decks, it held a number of secrets for the privateers. A full platoon of Vetalian soldiers, armed to the teeth with their entire complement of assault rifles, grenade launchers, sniper rifles, pistols and automatic weapons were stationed at strategic places on the ship. Light torpedo tubes, enough to damage but not utterly destroy privateer vessels, were built in to the lowest levels of the ship. The surface deck itself concealed several CIWS batteries and advanced radar/infrared targeting systems to ensure the ship was always a step ahead of its enemies.

The ship moved deeper and deeper in to international waters awaiting the arrival of the privateers...

Tucker stood on a pier in the corporate capital of Great Vantania, Tinraya. All around him fishermen tried to scratch out some fish that weren't poisoned by industrial waste. This had somewhat lowered the standards for what was a keeper and what wasn't. Basically, if you could eat it without dieing, it was good. This had lead to Tinrayan waters being extensivly overfished.

A man walked solemnly to Tucker, noting his pinstripe suit, his slicked back hair, and the way that the spray of the sea made his clothes shine, giving him an aura. With a cough, the executive handed Tucker a thin folder. Pausing, Tucker opened it and quickly read the report. With a sigh, he glared at the nameless, faceless executive. It seemed that he was the only permanent feature of the Buy & Sell Corporation.

Finally, he ceased the glaring, violently striking the board member down. "PRIVATEERS! YOU BOTHERED ME HERE FOR PRIVATEERS! ALL SECURITY MEASURES GO TO OFFENSE & DEFENCE YOU TWIT!" With that he kicked him in the stomach. He then assigned a punishment, fishing twenty fish from Tinraya harbor, with video evidence. That should insure he would never mess up again, or have enough time to dig up some unsavory things.

Official Corporate Memo
To: Peoples' Sovereign Republic of British Londinium
From: Tucker E. Boot; Buy & Sell Corporation
We have heard that you have been having difficulty with privateers. The Free Empire also once had these problems, and as a result we started escorting our cargo ships with decommisioned frigates. Over the years, this helped our corporation excel and was a great money maker. Though recently we have taken a bit of a hit after the Shipping Protection Act, which equipped all cargo ships with minor weaponry. As a result, we have a surplus of domestic protection that could be well suited to protecting your own ships as they go to and fro, for a fee. We hope you accept.

Economically Yours,
Tucker E. Boot

Ministry of State Security

"Most curious," said State Security Minister Albert Lorentz as he peered through his glasses at the report on his desk. "The Voyager went completely off the scope, destroyed?"

"Aye, sir," the Bureau of Maritime Security chief said grimly. "Distress signal at twenty-two hundred hours last night; when we set out a Coast Guard cutter to investigate, all we found was some flaming, petroleum-drenched wreckage floating on the waters."

"Conclusions?"

"Well, sir, preliminary analysis, coupled with data from the event recorder, seems to indicate a privateer attack. We have transcripts of all radio transmissions, incoming and outgoing, in addition to targeting data from the q-guns."

"Most interesting, most interesting," Lorentz mused, trying to hide his trepidation. The attack on the Voyager was curious in that a Londinian vessel had not been a victim of a pirate attack in one hundred and fifty years - the combination of a very harsh government and a well-armed, capable navy had the effect of convincing pirates to attack less difficult targets. "Forward all relevant data to the War Ministry and the MoI. Tell them it must be a foreign government behind all of it - their job is to figure out who and to destroy them."

Bump?

Eastern Kazlova Sea

"Mayday, mayday, mayday. This is the merchant vessel "Desert Wind" We have a medical emergency on board, We request immediate assistance our medical facilities have been damaged and we have multiple wounded crew in critical condition <message repeats on all public and emergency bands>


The Aerial Survey and Mapping Co.
(Front organization for Mondothian Special Foreign Affairs Ministry)

"How is operation Boothroyd Commencing?"

"Initial reports from our field agents are good, all contacted companies were eager to take the contract, initial filings from the contracted agencies are good, several ships have already been sunk or captured in just the first wave of attacks. We're still waiting on a response from the affected governments but we believe they're already starting to take normal anti-piracy actions, nothing our contractee's can't handle I'm sure, it's their job after all."

"Good, Have the Seventh fleet put on alert, pass the word around that we're having piracy issues of our own and start putting cruisers on the trade routes."

"Gotcha, I'll let Mr. Al Taqki know things are ready to progress."

Merchant Ship Solovey, Eastern Kazlova Sea

"Captain, we're getting a distress signal from a ship, the 'Desert Wind'..."
"Check the registers. The Navy's made sure the ships traveling this route are all cleared before setting sail. If it's not on there, we're pretty damn sure we've got ourselves pirates."
"Uhh, computer is bringing up a 'Desert Wind' but it set sail at least a week ago."
"If they've been adrift in the Kazlova for a week...they'd either long since be found or dead from thirst."
"Advice sir?"
"Bring the ship in range, send out 30 of our fully armed troops and medics to back them up. It's damn unlikely, but I don't want to risk it being legit. Also, send word to the Navy of a suspect ship in the area...we may be able to trap them, even if they do manage to hold us off."
"Yes sir."

The radio officer communicated with the ship, asking them to provide coordinates and the details of their needs, and the cargo ship headed towards the Desert Wind at full speed. If this was a trap, the privateers were in for a shock...

The desert Wind"

"Looks like we've got a bite, Ready the 'casualties'."

"Aye sir." The 'Casualties' were four covered stretchers that would be carried across to the Solovey by members of the Desert winds crew, but instead of the advertised injured crew, the stretchers were loaded with weapons and explosives that the privateers would be able to use to take control of the approaching merchant ship.

While the rest of the Desert Wind's crew were also armed, even a well trained eye would have trouble spotting the knives and side-arms concealed under baggy clothing and kevlar lined flotation vests.

"Alright, we're coming aboard to take a look at your wounded. We've got medics and equipment for first aid and we can get copters out here to take anything serious to a hospital. The rest of these men are here to make sure the area's secured, and they are armed so don't try anything unless you're looking to get killed. Sorry for the threats, but we've got a lot of problems with privateers here and we can't take any risks."

"We will send the medics on board while the rest of our men will wait here to help bring them to the ship. Anybody that's coming with the wounded must leave their weapons behind and be searched. We don't want any problems."

Back on board the ship, the crew and remaining 30 soldiers readied their own weapons, and the command deck prepared the ship's CIWS systems, torpedoes, and other weapons systems to prevent any potential problems, although they were still carefully disguised as a way of avoiding any suspicions. The 30 troops on the boats approaching the ships readied their own weapons and waited for the crew of the 'Desert Wind' to arrive.

The message was received with no little trepidation.

"Shit, it's a trap, gotta be."

"Certainly looks that way. Well, not like this wasn't an eventuality anyway. Alright you swabs, we've got armed incoming, stow those stretchers and grab some firepower. I want those coasties to got a 'warm' welcome so heat up the lead for'em. We'll drink from the skulls of our enemies tonight, in this world or the next!"

bump?
My internet works for reals now, no more multi-day waits for posts

(OOC: Once British Londinium ICly discovers who's behind the attacks, will CAP members be able to enter the conflict?)

OOC: I think its still happening. Last I checked, Vetalia was in the middle of trying to unveil the identity of the privateers, so we're sort of waiting on him.

weird, though I had posted.

Talk to BL about joining, but I think he's full up on allies, any more and I'd need to find someone to drag in on my side.

that is, if this is still happening.