NationStates Jolt Archive

“These disputed territories…”

The beast was quick to move. Under the cover of a pitch-black night, an army of hundreds of thousands poured across the bridges connecting the northern and southern territories of the nation called Exurbea. Thousands of tanks, and countless more APC’s and other AFV’s convoyed in endless streams into the river-side farmlands of Southern Exurbea, setting fire to properties past. The long awaited and highly anticipated invasion had finally been launched. By morning, over 200,000 men had crossed into Southern Exurbea over 30 bridges, on a front 200 kilometers wide.

Not to be outdone, the Southern Exurbean’s established a new independent government (as the capitol of Exurbea was in the North) and sent forth their own raised armies. For over a year the two territories had threatened to use force to quell the other’s outrageous political stubbornness, but the fantasy had finally come to life. Half a million men met on the first day of open combat across the front line. The North Exurbean Army was halted at around midnight of the second day, unable to push the Southern Army out of the way as they had anticipated they would.

With many hundreds of thousands of men being moved closer to the front by the hour, the temporary lull would not last long. Dogfights over Southern and Northern Exurbean territory began to become more and more numerous, littering the landscape with burning carnage of downed aircraft. The battle for air superiority had only just begun.

Southern Exurbean Intelligence brought back reports that the North was preparing a large-scale amphibious assault on the southern coast so that they would be able to outflank and surround the southern army, as well as cut off any means of supply or escape. Knowing that, the Southern Exurbean Command sent a plea out for help from any nations willing, but they were not alone, as the North was requesting international assistance as well…

A neighbor of only a few hundred kilometers, The Allied States of The Royal Code took it upon themselves to lend assistance to the south, for political reasons. A large-scale military mobilization would help stimulate the ASRC’s economy, making this war nothing more than a international fund-raiser. Nevertheless, the 1st Royal Army was alerted for deployment, and Royal Army Reserve components were being activated in support. The Royal Air Force began to draw up plans to help establish air superiority, in coordination with ground commanders.

Royal Military Commanders were reluctant to send in their rapid-deployment airborne divisions because ground invasion was immanent.

The Royal Armed Forces would need time to prepare and cross the flat lands, and time was not a luxury Southern Exurbea had available.

Map of current situation:
Link. (http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a53/GodOfWar102/Map.gif)

Political Standings

For the sake of the RP, i will dictate the current military standings of Northern and Souther Exurbea as of 11/13/07 Participating nations can RP control of thier faction's forces in proportion to the number of nations in that party. For example, i can control 1/4 of the S.E. troops since there are 4 of us RPing support for them. Londim on the other hand, can RP the whole of the N.E. military.

Northern Exurbea Supporters - Approximate Total Ground Manpower:
North Exurbea - 1,500,000
Londim - 1,000,000
Lost Hills -12,000
Total Manpower (allies alone): 1,012,000
Total Manpower (N.E. included): 2,512,000

Southern Exurbea Supporters - Approximate Total Ground Manpower:
South Exurbea -600,000
The Royal Code - 620,000
The New Aryan State - 602,413
Greston - 200,000
Vault 10 -100,000
Total Manpower (allies alone): 1,522,413
Total Manpower (S.E. included): 2,122,413

Unclear:
United Estovakia -Undelcared
Roseberg - 100,000

I will be keeping a log of troop status and updating this page as troops are brought in and taken out (or killed). At the end of the RP, i will post a collection of data, showing war data during the duration of the conflict. =]


Post all OOC posts here. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13213744#post13213744)

Whats the policial difference of two countries.

The broadcast went out all over the ASRC, the endless loops of footage taken during the final session of the Exurbean Senate. The Northern Exurbean Seperatists, nearly half the senate, all rising up and physically assaulting the southerners. The dispute was to decide the fate of a nation. The Northern politicians had been pressing hard to have thier laws rewritten and one true emperor put into place, while the southerners wanted to strengthen the senate even further. Ultimately, it had boiled down to Exubrea being run by a Dictator with a all pervasive military and police force, or a Exurbea being run by the people, for the people, as a direct democracy.

The footage of the near-riot in the Senate shocked the people of The Royal Code.

The sun rose at 0649 that winter morning. The fine powder of freshly fallen snow coated thinly on the helmets of soldiers in foxholes in Exurbea. Efforts to prepare the Royal Army were slowed slightly by the slippery roads leading to Fort Wrath, but the army would not rest until it was ready to move.

Royal troopers see very faint flashes from far beyond the horizon, as they would later learn, were aircraft being shot down.

ooc: - bump to spark some public interest. =]

[ OOC: I bite. So what's the plan? ]

OOC: Fish number two. I'd back the South.

OOC: As it stands, entering nations should pick a side, declare it, or simply RP it ( it being your entry into the war).

[ OOC: Aren't you afraid it will end up like letting elephants into a glass shop?

I would be careful, but I'd back the south; now, a proper opponent backing the North... that would really be risky. ]

OOC: Londim will be backing The North. One dictatorship to help bring in another.

OOC: It'll all be over by christmas.

http://www.bbs.bund.de/b_adler.gif
Bundesrepublik des Neuen Arischen Staat
Büro des Bundeskanzler
genehmigt durch das Büro der Generalstabs die Bundeswehr

The New Aryan State hereby declares that a state of war exists between the NAS and the dictatorial regime of the government of Northern Exurbea.

The mindless aggression of the leaders of North Exurbea threatens the stability of the entire region, and will eradicate any hope of the Exurbean people of self-governance and freedom. In order to preserve Exurbean democracy, and the freedom of her people, the New Aryan State will deploy its' armed forces against the military forces of North Exurbea, and forcibly eject them from the South.

This declaration is made with the full support of the General Staff.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Verghastinsel/leonardpaulusgottschalk.png
Leonhard Paulus Gottschalk
Chancellor of the New Aryan State

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Verghastinsel/klauswendel.png
Generalfeldmarschall Klaus Wendel
Bundesheer Chief of Staff

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Verghastinsel/tobiashartmann.png
Luftmarschall Tobias Hartmann
Luftwaffe Chief of Staff

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Verghastinsel/ruditorsten.png
Großadmiral Rudi Torsten
Kriegsmarine Chief of Staff

ooc: We could still use a couple more nations to back the north =]

So it had started. A war had broke out that would feed the bloodthirst of the Londim Army. In the battles there would be no mercy, no prisoners, no survivors.

Official Londim Communique

Let it be known that Londim allies itself with North Exurbea in this war. It is time more nations like our own were allowed to exist without interference from the "democratic nations" who preach freedom yet try to crush those who choose freely to rule in a way such as North Exurbea wants.

The Three
Londim

OOC: Should we set a practical limit on the number of troops to be involved? It'd be nice if this didn't degenerate into a number war.

http://www.bbs.bund.de/b_adler.gif
Bundesrepublik des Neuen Arischen Staat
Büro des Bundeskanzler

It is most regretful that Londim has chosen to align herself with the ruthless government of North Exurbea, though unsurprising. They seek to justify their own unelected status and Orwellian system of control by assisting the Northern regime in their unjust war of 'liberation' against the South. By their own statements, Londim confesses that they are serving the will of the state of North Exurbea, not it's people.

If Londimian troops impede Aryan forces in the execution of their duty in Exurbea, it will be treated as a formal declaration of war.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Verghastinsel/leonardpaulusgottschalk.png
Leonhard Paulus Gottschalk
Chancellor of the New Aryan State

OOC: Should we set a practical limit on the number of troops to be involved? It'd be nice if this didn't degenerate into a number war.

http://www.bbs.bund.de/b_adler.gif
Bundesrepublik des Neuen Arischen Staat
Büro des Bundeskanzler

It is most regretful that Londim has chosen to align herself with the ruthless government of North Exurbea, though unsurprising. They seek to justify their own unelected status and Orwellian system of control by assisting the Northern regime in their unjust war of 'liberation' against the South. By their own statements, Londim confesses that they are serving the will of the state of North Exurbea, not it's people.

If Londimian troops impede Aryan forces in the execution of their duty in Exurbea, it will be treated as a formal declaration of war.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y63/Verghastinsel/leonardpaulusgottschalk.png
Leonhard Paulus Gottschalk
Chancellor of the New Aryan State

OOC: Yes a limit would be nice. It'd seem pointless if wave after wave of reinforcements arrived turning the whole nation into a warzone. What would be a reasonable cap?

IC:

Official Londim Communique

If it becomes a war between our nations then so be it. We will stand behind North Exurbea and make sure it wins this war. The people in our nation are free to live as they please and so they will in North Exurbea. The only difference between the North and South is the style of government.

The Three
Londim

OOC: Personally, I see this war as the only one my nation is going to be fighting in the near future, so am willing to eventually commit about a million men in combined land, sea and air forces. That's about 15% of my military, as you can see from my factbook below.

If you've got MSN, mine's there on the left.

OOC: I support a limit. We'll really level the country otherwise. Really that's the only thing keeping me from deploying.

What about capping our forces at what can be rapidly deployed by sea - about 200,000 per player, I think. May seem restrictive, but, after all, it's more interesting to fight with 200,000 vs 200,000 than 2,000,000 vs. 2,000,000. This is also a limit imposed by naval transport and landing realism. Well, plus it will keep scale of original forces and intervening at least somewhat similar.
Also let's make sure South gets less forces than North, since I'm playing for South. In any case I'm capping myself at 1/2 of others' limit, maybe less.

Other opinions?

OOC: I can agree with 200,000 per player. I assumed a limit of one million if it would be me deploying alone, but that is a very agreeable size.

We can vote an increase if we feel the need.

OOC: this is too good a thread to pass I join, and I like what Vault10 said the limit should be 200,000 per player.

IC:

Official Grestonian Response

This agression between the two sides of Exburea is a needless war, but it seems as these two sides will stay at war for awhile, and we plan on helping to put an end to it. We will be sending Craven Brigade which will compose of 200,000 men. The Brigade consists of tanks and APCs as well as AFVs, and the men will enter through the rivers bay on the Southern side, for that is who we stand by in this conflict. We will travel up stream until we meet Royal Code troops to aide them in fighting the Northern scum.

"A mari usque ad mare"
President and Brigader John Batther

http://www.bbs.bund.de/b_adler.gif
Bundesrepublik des Neuen Arischen Staat
Büro der Generalstabs die Bundeswehr

Under the command of Generalfeldmarschall Wilhlem Ubrecht, the New Aryan State has mobilised fifteen Panzer divisions and ten Grenadier divisions of the Bundesheer for immediate deployment to South Exurbea.

OOC: A Panzerdivision is a 7,000-strong combined force of armour, mobile artillery and mechanised infantry. A Grenadierdivision is a 12,000-strong light infantry formation with towed artillery. Air support is seperate. Check my factbook for a more comprehensive listing, though remember that some of it's still in construction.

ooc: i'm glad to see this thread catching interest! Ok, a cap. If you think about logistics, and how many men it takes to support just one fighting man, i would propose the cap be up around 500,000, so you could at least have some combat arms to work with.

Commander of the 1st Royal Army, a 31 year career Army officer, General Thomas McConnell fastened the buckle of his helmet's chip strap. Perched atop his command tank, to his left and right were literally hundreds of vehicles of every type, waiting to roll out and disperse in the flat lands.

He picked up his radio, pressed the talk button and gave his orders.

The first Army began to thunder across the boarder on a 10 day journey across the treacherous flat lands.

Over head, hundreds of air force fighters rushed by in groups by the dozens, today, the skies would be a most spectacular show in Exurbea.

As the spectacular armored columns advanced through the wilderness, the General recieved a notice from his lieutenant. The note contained information on a nation called Greston, who was entering the war immediately, advancing along the corban river valley. McConnell got on COM again and said, "Bravo Company, 1/330, swing south to the Corban river to meet up with friendlies advancing along river-side. Over."
The company commander radioed back, "Roger that sir. Out."

As the transmission ended, McConnell's massive Behemoth III battle tank crushed a cluster of hundred year old trees with no effort at all. As the 1st Army advanced, they left behind a flattened landscape.

12.11.2007, 1026
11,000m below sea level
Aerospace Logistics Corporation
Nonconsensual Delivery Department, Coordination Center
281K, 50% humidity, early spring.



Kirill Leonov took the report from Jeannette's hands, as the newly appointed General Peter Marsh impatiently stood outside the room, playing with a pen, not daring to enter.

His 133th Wing, one of the ten newly formed Fast Expeditionary groups, was in need of a serious exercise, but the Blue Flag was already taken by Andrew Lessard from the 140th, and there was no other opportunity at the moment. Officers escaped from the Londinium War, and enlisted positions filled in by convicts. Not the best force to fight with, but the fate of eternal armchair general wasn't too appealing to Peter.

- "I don't see how we should be interested" - Kirill replied after quickly glancing through the report.
- "There is another note. Here..." - Jeanette tried to make better of the situation. Damn, well, helping Peter never turned out too well.
- "Unrest in some country. Yes, yes, a faction calls for help. I don't see why have you reffed the UFAN charter. Pro-rights is a declaration, not a reason for war."
- "Well, really..." - she turned to Pete with a begging face. Her position was already compromised. Too much time off, too much non-work activities, too little real help. A little, and she would have to get out.
Marsh stood silent. He didn't know the Coordinator well. At all, really. What could he say?
- "Are you suggesting we rush into another war with no effect? It's not ours. The moment some Disland hits our allies, I'll stop him. But now this is their war. Why should we cause more deaths?"

Somebody heavily pushed Peter in the back. He stumbled, as if the room was trapped, but, afraid to lose face, walked straight, as if it was all intended.

- "Sir! General Marsh reporting!"
- "Cut it!". Kirill turned to Jeanette. - "So, is this your plan that totally couldn't go through netmail?"

A tall man in heavy black leather coat, wet from the rain, not dried even by the elevator fans, walked into the room. With large sunglasses further obscuring already unrecognizable pale-grayish face, his identity would be hard to tell for an outsider.

Kirill, however, wasn't one, reacting quickly. - "What's up, Paul?"
- "Right from there. Rainy and bloody. Raz, I think we'd better take it."
- "With that guy? His wing won't hold a fight. Even two such wings won't." - the coordinator sighed.
- "I'm going in."
- "Any help you need?"
- "Give the kid some backup. I'll make sure he doesn't mess up."
- "What, is Symmetriad involved?"
Paul laughed out. - "Hell no. It's not that messed up, Raz. I just want to give his boys a good beating."

Peter finally gathered his courage. - "Sir, I've spoken with 132nd Wing commander. He's determined to join. With all of the 130-s, they all are ready. Troops, officers, generals."
- "How bad is it, Paul?" - Kirill didn't even turn towards Peter.
- "Two plus me should do it."
- "Here." - he handed Jeanette a signed piece of paper. - "132 and 133 will go, and four other 130s will back." - "Stan, you find them."
- "Peter, I'm Peter Marsh." - the General mumbled. - "Yes, sir."


Confused and exhausted, he walked out into the corridor, without looking back.

Out of all 25 companies in the brigade only 2 traveled all the way up the river to meet the Red Code troops. The other 20 companies were stationed through out the Southern Exubae territory.The five companies which added up to having 16,000 men went up the river until they saw what looked like a company of the Red Code troops. They let down anchor and 6,000 of the troops got off the ship and went to speak with RC troops and then later march with them into Northern territory with the other 10,000 Grestonian troops pulling up the rear.

11th November, 2007
0232hrs Aryan Standard Time
Kurzberg Military Camp, East NAS

Rain.

Three solid days of rain. The heavens broke, and it rained so hard you barely see more than a hundred metres before all detail was lost in a wall of water. Damp footfalls thudded across the floodlit, waterlogged parade ground of Militärisches Lager Kurzberg, home of 6. Panzer-Division. Waterproof capes hung straight down without a breeze, providing the most minimal defence against the celestial waterfall which drenched the thousands of men who scurried in artificial light.

Engines snarled, red to the touch and hissing steam as the rain fell upon them. Hundreds of vehicles and stacks of equipment, from main battle tanks and humvees to armoured recovery vehicles. Piles of ammunition boxes stretched from one side of the parade ground to the other. The air was filled with the stink of carbon monoxide.

Amid the ordered chaos of mobilisation the men worked, the sergeants yelled, and the officers planned. The strength of the Bundesheer was uncaged, and the spectre of war hung over them all.

OOC: Dude, can we get some approximate information on that Behemoth III thing?

2:32am Londim Time
1st Naval Base

The legendary 3rd Fleet had been prepped. This fleet had been in countless wars and each time it had survived another day taking thousands of enemy soldiers from this world.

"3rd Fleet!". A voice spoke over the speakers, "Today we move out for war, today we help our North Exurbean brothers and sisters. Today we fight!"

A huge roar rose up from the naval officers and the soldiers. It had been too long since Londim soldiers had seen the death and screams of enemy soldiers. Too long indeed...

The first ships started to move soon followed by others. The plan was to approach from the North and dock in North Exurbea. The route that had been calculated should avoid all of the Southern Exurbean sea territory avoiding any conflict until it was needed.

OOC: The 3rd Fleet consists of only 100 ships:

10 Aircraft Carriers
20 Battleships
30 Submarines
40 Destroyers

This is an intial sending. Soldiers shall arrive soon after the 3rd fleet has been dispatched.

"Come on! Move it!" McConnell yelled down into the hatch of his tank at the driver.

"She's stuck sir! I cant get traction!"

The General climbed out of the turret, and scaled down the tank, dropping over the side, and sunk ankle-deep into a thick slurry of mud. He saw that the tank had sunk in to a point where the entire back tracks were submerged.

Even the lighter humvee's were bogging down. Three days of heavy rain had taken its toll.

McConnell's 2nd in command, Major General Pana, approached McConnell's sunken tank.

"Rough day for the cavalry eh?"
"Yeah, no kidding."
"About fifty miles north of here, my guys tell me there's some high ground we can cross, get around these low parts."
"That's good Pana. Thanks. Go ahead and get your divisions moving, i'll be here for a couple hours pulling my guys out of this muck."
"Yes sir. I'll meet you on the other side."

McConnell spent the rest of the afternoon with his heavy tow and cable units dislodging his tanks from the muck they had driven into. It took 10 heavy pull units just to dislodge McConnell's sunken 1115 ton tank. Of the 20 tanks that had gotten stuck, only 10 of them were pulled out by midnight.

Meanwhile, Major General Pana's divisions (approximately 150,000 men, about 1/2 of the 1st Army) bypassed the low-lands, and made good progress south, to get back on track.

As a whole, the army left Fort Wrath and headed south to hit the Corban river valley, which they would follow to attack the flank of the Northern Exurbean forces which had crossed some weeks prior.

11th November, 2007
0935hrs Aryan Standard Time
Mondin Naval Base, East NAS

In a shuffling column of green and black, every man lost in his own private thoughts, the Aryan infantrymen boarded the Schwertwal-class assault ship. They entered the gaping maw of the vessel as though consumed by a great beast, the scene reminiscent of recent anti-war publications.

A small though vociferous minority had already protested against the war, advocating the NAS's isolation from the troubles of the world. The majority of the public had stolidly accepted, however, that war was in this case the only course a responsible nation could take. They were conscious of the freedoms and liberties they enjoyed, which not so long ago had been paid for in blood, and to stand idlly by while others saw their slowly stripped away was not something easily borne.

And so fathers, sons, brothers and uncles boarded the great grey ships of the Kriegsmarine, their banners high and faces grim. On other ships were loaded the tools of their bloody trade - the guns and vehicles which would ensure their lives over that of the enemy. The question of when it is right to take life has plagued mankind since the dawn of civilisation, but in the black and white morality of the soldier, when some bastard comes at you with his rifle high then it's a simple choice.

Either you take his or, God forbid, he takes yours.

OOC: Troop listings.

1. 2. 4. 6. 7. 10. 11. 14. 15. 16. 19. 20. 21. 30. and 35. Panzer-Divisions.
Subtotal 105,165 combat personnel, 195,306 logistics personnel, 27,375 AFVs and combat vehicles, 360 field guns.

45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 105. 107. 108. 110. and 111. Grenadier-Divisions.
Subtotal 105,680 combat personnel, 196,262 logistics personnel, 6,580 AFVs and combat vehicles, 240 field guns.

Combined Total 210,845 combat personnel, 391,568 logistics personnel, 33,955 AFVs and combat vehicles, 600 field guns.

The 3rd Fleet was not far from its destination. North Exurbea had suffered in this war so far from lack of support from other nations. This was to change when Londim would join. The first area that needed securing was the sea. Secure the sea, secure a lifeline. This was why Londim had sent its best fleet in.

As the fleet entered North Exurbean territory a message was sent.

"Do not worry our brothers. Londim is here to help you with your cause. Let us stand together!"

13th November, 2007
0855hrs Aryan Standard Time
Mondin Naval Base, East NAS

With waving flags and cheering voices, crying mothers and wives, the Aryan Task Force departed Mondin Marineunterseite. Into the rising sun they sailed, over the seas and far away, to face the enemies of the State.

OOC: Task Force Exurbea;

3 Unbesiegbar-class aircraft carriers
9 Fürsprecher-class destroyers
22 Sachsen-class frigates
16 Bremen-class frigates
54 Bremen-class frigates (ASROC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASROC))
2 Schnappschildkröte-class arsenal ships
21 Type 212 submarines
Lots of transports.

OOC:

Is anybody here opposed to my possibly joining the festivities with a small force? We're talking small here, maybe not even 100,000 people.

United Estovakian 1st fleet
Operation Northern Thunder
Approved

The Only fleet in the United Estovakia nation, which was it's largest military arm, launched. Even though a small force by normal standards, it just finished a large exercise to train with the new equipment. The small fleet, including it's three Kiev class carriers and Several Missile siege ships went to the battle. This was to be it's first military action. The Unt.Est. did not have enough of an Army to change the tide of any battle, so it's strike fighters and close air support will have to do. They hope that they could make a difference.

What side is short on power at this point?

Task Force Lima-4, International Waters

Exercises were always tiring for a commander, and Rear Admiral Richard Biers was no different. Task Force Lima-4 had been at sea for almost two weeks now simulating amphibious invasions on deserted islands, and although the men were in great shape, Biers was getting tired.

So when orders came down from Fleet Command for the battle group to disengage and monitor developments Exurbea, Biers felt a sense of relief. It would be an easy posting watching another brushfire war, with the politicians back home too scared to actually get involved.

The Task Force was well-armed for sure, with a Chancellor-class command carrier and her escorts comprising the bulk of the firepower. Three Lord-class helicopter assault ships held a division of Marines, roughly 12,000 fighting men and their various vehicles.

TF-L4's orders were to establish a military presence off the coast of Exurbea and report any sudden military actions to Fleet Command. SATINT could only show so much, and it was always helpful to have a pair of eyes (or several thousand pairs of eyes) reporting in person.

With submarines and a CAP leading the way, the Task Force steamed at full-speed for Exurbea.

-The United Estovakian fleet-


3 Kiev class Light Carriers
-8 Sea Harrier FRS.1-T Strike fighters
-3 Yak-38M Forger
-10 Ka-27 Helix ASW helicopter
-6 Mi-24 MN Sea Hind attack helicopters

4 Sovremenny class destroyer

10 Fletcher class destroyer

3 Krivak class frigate


** The Unt.Est. Fleet is made of a lot of old ships due to cost. They are moderatlly upgrades to semi-MT standards, due to cost.

What side is short on power at this point?
[ OOC: The North.

BTW, when using non-RL equipment, please provide links to the designs, or at least tell where to find them.


P.S. Don't be surprised if I don't jump in soon. My fleet is on the way, and it's a very fast one. My first action will be a surprise attack. ]

Pana's divisions were the first to reach the Corban river, twenty miles behind, the lead units of McConnell's units.

Up at the front, a light armor Humvee trekked along riverside, on the lookout for the Greston troops who reported they were in the area.

When it came to, the forces met up, and the Royal Army continued the push east towards the Exurbean flank, with their new companions.

Could we start an OOC thread to keep track of things and have less clutter here?

Task Force Lima-4, 200nm from Exurbea

The rattling of the comm printer jarred Admiral Biers out of his nap. He had only been sleeping for 20 minutes, after having conducted fire-control drills for three hours straight. His men were able to identify targets, triangulate coordinates, and execute firing patterns without any difficulties; all targets had been sunk in every simulation they had run.

Biers poured some coffee from the therm next to his bed and tore the communique from Fleet Command. The Senate had decided to support the government of North Exurbea because of the vast quantities of oil and other natural resources there, and Task Force Lima-4 was ordered to defend the dictatorship by any means necessary.

Biers didn't relish supporting oppressive regimes, but Lost Hills' energy security had become a major political issue in the past few election cycles, and the government was wary of doing anything that could jeopardize a smooth flow of crude oil into the vast refineries of Lost Hills.

Putting on his uniform, Biers wondered how many would die this time for something so insignificant.

FOB Walker, Corban River Delta, 10km from the border of South Exurbea

A CAP of Xeon superiority fighters screamed overhead as the engineers finished laying down the last of the metal screen that would serve as a temporary airfield. The fixed-wing aircraft would continue to operate off the Inverness, the Chancellor-class command carrier Admiral Biers captained, but the VTOL Peregrine transports finally had a base other than the Lord-class LHDs.

The Marines had taken several hours to establish this forward operating base, with a three rifle companies and a headquarters section establishing a beachhead for ground operations. Intelligence had indicated vast numbers of men and materiel flowing into the South, and Admiral Biers was not expecting the Northern Exurbean armies to fare particularly well. The Marines attached to TF-L4 would thus hold the rich, fertile Delta and the surrounding area against any enemy incursions.

The typical anti-air defenses were deployed along the perimeter of the base, which sat on a hill covering a crossroads. The Delta was depressingly swampy, and holding the causeways would be critical in making sure lines of transportation were still open. Only 500 or so Marines and several dozen tanks were deployed here, so there was a definite danger of being overrun, but Biers did not want to play his hand just yet.

With naval gunfire and air support covering their position, the Marines would hold until the situation warranted an attack.

The 3rd Army, in it's entirety, crossed the boarder into Southern Exurbea, and took up positions in the rear of the Southern Exurbean lines. The camps pitched would serve to rest for the night, and tomorrow, the first Royal Troopers would be sent to the front line to help relieve the South Exurbeans.

Supply convoys on both air and land started making deposits in new Army-occupied territory, and a forward operating base was established, or at least started. Before long, the Royal Army would have the means to go on the offensive, full force. Logistics came first though, no army can fight without ammunition, food and fuel.

Aerospace Logistics Official Announcement

Acknowledging the reasons behind this conflict, but wishing to minimize the casualties resulting from it, hereby, we, the representatives of Aerospace Logistics Corporation, announce the creation of the Exurbea Humanitarian Force.

The force will be operating independently under the Red Cross flag. This force will be involved in evacuation of the civilians from combat zones, medevac, and delivering medical aid.
These forces won't attack any side in combat, unless in self-defense, and attacking them would be a war crime with expectable consequences.

As the initial contribution, Aerospace Logistics NDD will fully transfer to this force its 18th Wing, 81st Wing, 82nd Wing, 83rd Wing and 84th Wing. This force, both in its aerial, maritime and land components, counts at 250,000 personnel. The hospital ships have 750,000 full bed capacity, including 150,000 beds fully equipped for intense therapy.
Hospital ships of the 18th Wing possess state of the art medical equipment, presenting all the advanced medicine of Vault 10 has to offer, up to controlled prosthesis operations, and are equipped with all necessary supplies for servicing over 400,000 patients.

All civilians and conflict participants may use their facilities and call for their aid, provided compliance with the following rules:
1. No hostile action should be conducted against personnel or equipment of the and all attempts should be taken to prevent accidental damage.
2. All services, including organ replacement and controlled prosthesis installation, are provided free of charge. Therefore, while patients' preferences will be taken into account, the exact decisions on procedures or accepting the patient will be the authority of medical personnel.
3. As normal for ALC medical services, they will be provided on "as is" basis. The patients have the right to leave at any time they want, but no explicit or implied guarantees are provided and no official complaints will be accepted.

Please take into account that free provision of high-grade medical services on such large scale is only possible due to highly automated equipment, which by its nature can not be held responsible for potential dissatisfaction.



All nations are welcome to organize own corps under the flag of Exurbea Humanitarian Force, as long as they offer medical help to anyone in need and do not to engage in any military operations other than rescue and medical. This specifically includes no use as supply vehicles (other than medical), no transportation of non-EHF personnel to destinations other than medical facilities, and no hostilities, threats of hostilities or reconnaissance operations.

After the 3rd fleet had taken up its positions orders were sent to bring in the soldiers. Transport ships soon arrived with a total of 800,000 soldiers who were ready to fight. They would travel South and sit just behind the border to wait for the next attack.