NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This Thread is Semi-Open: Open to international comments, closed to international action. Should you wish to join in, you must apply in the OOC thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=543596) which shall be up shortly. Exceptions only to myself, Akimonad, Kirav and CFEI who are pre-decided participants.

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Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad:
It has come to the Imperium's attention that AFEA seeks to stymie any and all Echoese attempts at a basic level of sovereignty, even to the extent of their most honorable and defining laws being repealed without consultation. It is with these actions that the Imperium believes that the Confederacy of The Far Echo Islands no-longer reaps benefit from your role as 'Protector' of the confederacy, an agreement if which I remember correctly was made out of sheer desperation for the survival of the Echoese people.
Thus, I am forced to request the immediate withdrawal of newly garrisoned Akimonadi soldiers in the Confederacy, and the further withdrawal of the Akimonadi interest from the Imperial Iberian Requisition.

Failure to do so will result in grave consequence for the Autocratic Empire.

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Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

*****

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*Mobilization Levels: Critical*

Across the Imperium, and indeed the greater Commonwealth, the beat of the wardrum was prominent. Legion upon legion of Pictish Soldiers previously mobilized for the invasion of Iberia and the repulsion of Londinian forces now chanted for new blood; the blood of the Akimonadi. Millions upon millions of men and woman marched through the Imperial Palaces of Èideann as a show of strength and unity, while hundreds of thousands more boarded Executors and Emdens, bound for the Confederacy. By sunset, the entire 3rd and 4rth Imperial Battle-Fleets departed the tranquil waters of Pictavia destined for war, while in the skies hundreds of aircraft readied themselves for the journey, marked by the fuel-blimps raised along the route.
Dotted along Pictavia could be heard the reassuring sound of mechanization from her many robotic plants and missile silos, while various orbital assets whirred in the unheard dead of space, focusing on the entrenched Akimonadi troops.
The combined fleet raced through the seas at full-speed, the odd trimaran warships tearing through the waves before them. Missile trails erupted unpredictably from the ships as the weapons systems were tested, coinciding with the near constant sound of alarms and sirens along their dark decks. On one of the ships, stood a veteran of the Utopian Wars, The Second Londinian War and the Invasion of Andalusia. He stood at the bow of the ship, squinting so as to avoid the spray of the sea, his brilliant armor glinting in the moonlight. He was Gaius Kadesh.

Delpin Hyit and Lee Jackson Davis re-boarded the Concord Supersonic Jet and departed from the Kiravian Empire. The Two Escort JAU-64 fighters flew away in tandem with it. They had been informed of the situation by the sectary of state and were rushing to get back as fast as they could.

After 5 hours in flight a sonic boom resulted from the Concord’s decelerating into the realm of subsonic velocities. The flight was currently over Glacia Island and was planning to land at Dolphinea International Airport.

The pilot called the control tower:

“This is Absolute one-niner-niner, requesting permission to land.”

OOC: Original post here. (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13229210&postcount=1)

IC:

Open Declaration

Forces in the Echo Islands, both current and those newly garrisoned, shall remain where they are, given the hazardous nature that now surrounds the Echo Islands.

As new threats have been received, all units have been mobilized to prepare for defence.

However, the Strategic Rocket Corps have not been alerted and will remain dormant.

~Frederick Bremer,
Proconsul

OOC: Order of Battle coming tommorrow in OOC thread.

IC:
Dolphinea International Airport

"This is Dolphinea Tower," said an ADFair Colonel harshly, "you are cleared to land. Proceed directly to Gate 3B, no exceptions."

After that, the Colonel grabbed another mic. "They're here. Prepare the squadron."

In Gate 3B, fifty armed guards, out of a group of one hundred now in the gate, walked towards the gate and onto the jetway, preparing for the plane, and its precious cargo, to arrive.

"Confirmed, we are coming in now." finished the pilot gruffly.

The Aqua Camouflaged Concord Jet screeched onto the runway, the light rain that was falling subdued the swirls of burnt rubber smoke from the squealing tires on the tarmac, and then as the jet began to decelerate to zero, the front wheel touched gently down, as if a feather so lightly pulled to Earth by gravity. The JAU-64's followed exactly and in tandem.

The door of the jet opened seemingly slowly, two security guards to the Arbiter strode down first, Followed by Davis, whom was followed by a guard, whom was followed by Lee, whom was followed by rear guards for a total of 5 guards.

The Arbiter, Lee, and their entourage walked slowly but with authority toward Gate 3B.

Peale Oceanlife, Governor of the New Harbour colony sat in his study shortly after Davis and Hyit had left his province. He could not help but feel that something was wrong.
--

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Kiravian Empire

Permissum Astrum Subleuco

Imperial Secriat of State

Echo Islands Affairs Board

The Soveriegn Kiravian Colonial Empire condemns the actions of Akimonad towards their Echo Islands Protectorate. Wheather you do or not, the EMpire regards and recognizes the Confederate States of the Far Echo Islands as a soveriegn state, and further, a soveriegn state closely and staunchly allied to us. Your infringement upon its liberty and that of its people is unreasonable for a Protector to use for noble purposes. No hostile forces are threatening the Confederate States of the Far Echo Islands. Forces are threatening the Protectorate of the Far Echo Islands. We urge you to withdraw your excess forces from the islands. If not, we will be forced to take measures similar, if not cooperative with and identical to, those taken by the Imperium of Nova Pictavia.

If need be, force will be used to defend the lives and freedoms of the Echoese people as was pledged to them on our Honour through our alliance to them, their membership in the CN, and that in the holy brotherhood of the Utopian Commonwealth. Quoth the snake, "Don't Tread on Me"

Regards,

Fryren Redwood

Fyren Redwood
Secriatist of State

Xixón, Asturia, Northern Iberia

Seven-hours after the deployment of the fleet, the Imperial Warships were safely docked in the industrial harbours of Xixón. Asturia was currently conducting a brutal insurgency and battle for independence against Madrid, with Pictish weaponry of course, and were more than happy to house the fleet as many believed a second front was being opened-up in the Iberian invasion. Their luck was not so, however, and the Pictish army was only conducting operations in Asturia as long as the fleet remained here. For they had a far larger destination; Echo.

It was likely that Akimonadi orbital assets had noticed the deployment of the fleet, but it undoubtedly seemed to everyone to be a mere extension of the Iberian war. It did, however, bring the Imperial Warships one-day closer to Echo. The soldiers of the fleet were currently engaging in several raids against the main Spanish line, drawing more and more from enemy troops from the south where the main assault was occurring. The plan was genius, Gaius thought to himself.

Sattelia Naval Base

The Sattle Islands was a minisule archipelago in the vast ocean between the Far Echo Islands and Kirav Proper. Only 2 of the islands were stable enough to build on, few fish roamed the adjacent waters, no phosphates or oceanic minerals were to be found. The islands were worthless. But only economically. The largest island had an excellent natural harbour, and the islands were far enough from shipping lanes to be largely ignored by the rest of the world. Militarily, these islands were of high value.

Much of the Imperial 11th Fleet lay in the harbour. Some ships were being refueled, some repaired, and most loaded, with troops, weapons, ammunition, and supplies. Above the port facilities that ringed the steep sides of the bay, the Sattelia Naval Base settlement sat, also abuzz with activity. Soldiers were marching towards the ships. Officers were finalizing logistical plans. This actually describes a typical day at Sattelia. Convoys were always sailing here and there to assist and defend Kiravian colonies in that ocean. According to the operation's cover, this fleet was bound for Asåvik Island to put down a pirate incursion. But its ture destination was the Far Echo Islands, not to ward off an incursion, but to end an occupation.

OOC: Echo, hope you don't mind me adding some background on your own ctiy, if you don't like any of it then say in the OOC thread and I'll change this post.

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI

A group of about nine men and women were sprawled around a large, stone room in Augusta's underground city- a myriad of tunnels and habitations leading only to the surface at unpredicable points: The last free land in Echo. In short, it was a guerrilla warfighter's dream. Most of the people were clothed in a mixture of thick black garments with large polo-necks to keep warm in the deprived underground, or "Rabbit Run" as it was known to the local Akimonadi forces. Many of the people had either red or blue-green sashes tied round their bicep, or small Echoese or Pictish flags (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/FlagSmallul.jpg) on their shoulders. Everyone just sat around, eyes fixated on the floor or walls.
A young man in his late twenties, with dark hair and an athletic physique broke the silence;
"The Imperium's not gunna come, the Akimonadi are going to kill every last one of us, I told you the Imperium's not going to-" But he was cut off by another man of around sixty,

"Don't be so sure, laddie, the Consul wouldn't leave anyone behind, Pictish or Echoese. He's out there, waiting for our signal"
The gray-haired soldier nodded his head in the direction of the surface.

A younger woman, of Hispanic origin began to speak next,
"To breach the Communications Tower's defences to relay a message is near impossible, even if we had a decent distraction there must be another way-"
She too was cut off by the increasingly agitated soldier,

"This ain't no fucking democracy here, if you don't like the plan then get the hell back up there with the rest of your kind, just waiting around to get shot. I'm getting my stiff arse up there, and I'm gunna kill every Akimonadi son of a bitch in that facility and getting the message through to the Imperium, even if it kills every last one of you"

Another Echoese man spoke next:
"Why can't we just broadcast the sitrep through the regular radio towers?"

"Do you think the Akimonadi are that dimwitted? They're gunna see that a mile off and jam all frequencies bouncing around these islands for days! No, we do this properly, and we have volunteers for the distraction. The Communications Tower is the only way to get the sitrep up to an Imperial satellite before the enemy can do anything about it. We only get one chance at this-"

"Wait a minute-" started the young, dark-haired Pict, "Volunteers? We can't keep sending people to their death with bombs strapped to their chest! Its not how we fight!"

"Son," Replied the gray-man, "This isn't pretty. We have men up there facing Akimonadi execution squads every day. If I send one volunteer to the afterlife to save the lives of many, then I'll damn-well make that decision! Our last meeting will be at the temple tomorrow at sunset, we move out then."

The group stood, picked up their various weapons and ventured through the curtain separating the stone room from the rest of the bustling undercity tunnels. One by one, the resistance disappeared into the crowd, none forgetting what was to be done.

OOC: @NP:Naw, unless I’ve said something about the history of the city you can pretty much make stuff up, the big four that I’ve said about are New St. Petersburg, Olde Town, Dolphinea, and Neo Savannah, the rest I haven’t really made much of a history about, so the rest can be worked with.

@Aki: I hope you don’t mind, but this post does kind of go into the grey areas of what can be considered godmodeing, but I tried to keep it to little stuff. If anything sticks out just tell me.
IC:
A million people had poured into the streets in Dolphinea, they carried the bright red and gold flags of the Echo Islands, and shouted chants in Arkik, usually saying “Long live Echonia” or “Down with Akimonad” and held signs saying the same and more, and were burning Akimonadi Flags; they were the embodiment of an upset populous. They marched through the capital until they arrived at Dolphinea Palace, standing about 50 yards from the entrance. People lined the great reflecting pool that was a half mile long and began 200 yards from the entrance. The great balcony that extended off the north side of the palace, traditionally a place of great speeches, inaugurations, and public appearances (not always of Echoese government officials, but the palace was 300 years old and had been a storied place and a state capital over that time) was the place where a large Akimonadi Flag hung from, much like the ones the protesters were burning, but bigger. The balcony was 25 feet high and out of the way of the protesters, as was that flag, but several pieces of rotten fruit hit it and stained it.

The protesters shouted out about the repeal of dolphin rights, the curfew, the federalization of the government and the stripping of state rights, and the general increase of the presence of Akimonad in the country.


Neo Savannah, Georgia Island, CFEI

The still torn but standing city of Neo Savannah was the place the first place to aggressively resist the Akimonadi resistance, a band of college student had formed a Red Dawn type of resistance in the city, they had scrounged up weapons from all around, various gun shops left vacant by refugee owners, dead soldiers, any thing and every thing they could think of.

One of the more prominent leaders of the group, which had begun calling itself the Tiger Sharks, ironically after their collegiate mascot, walked up to an Akimonadi soldier who had been patrolling the city looking to arrest looters and disrupters like the Echoese man was. The man, named John Earnest, went up to the soldier, asked: “Are you an Akimonadi?”

“Yes.” The soldier responded bluntly.

“That’s too bad.” With that Earnest unslung a sawn-off shot gun and put two shells point blank into the soldier’s chest.

After that, 20 students with AK-47’s sunk up outside a small Akimonadi intercity ‘outpost’ where soldiers stayed and sometimes detained criminals, then they detonated an improvised explosive device, and then stormed the outpost firing their guns and killing soldiers.

The whole city was amuck with similar scenes.

Neo Savannah

A group of Kiravians sat around a table, playing cards by lantern light in a sewer maitenance chamber beneath the Echoese city.

When the Empire withdrew from the Islands at the beginning of the FEI Civil War, 300 Kiravians, and 12 Quadeshi mercenaries had been left in hiding, to obseve what went on in the Confederacy's largest city, and provide support if needed.

A short, half-Echoese, half-Iuerlev Kiravian man from New Harbour, slid into the chamber.

"Blackfield! What news do you bring?", asked a nearby officer.

"Sir, those letters we intercepted are true! The Echoese are gonna rebel!"

"Excellent. What else?"

"Erm...Nau for the bad news, Akimonad is sending extra forces to garrison the islands...."

"Goddamnit!"

"And the Anglophonic Colonies have seceeded."

"What the hell?"

"They're the Eastern Kiravian Empire now."

"What is this? Ancient Rome? Are the Anglos gonna get owned by some TUrks now?"

"Ehm...I'm guessing I shouldn't keep going.."

"No, by all means, go on."

"General Woodland has ordered the 11th fleet to ready itself to invade."

"Echo or the Anglos?"

"Echo"

"Ah...I see..."

OOC: Same as what Echo said applies to me.

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI
Riots. Gunbattles. Suicide Bombings... and the war had not even begun.

Marianna stood in the middle of Augusta's city square, with the hustle of Akimonadi soldiers all around her. They were slowly sealing the area off, firing intermittently into the sky to force the protectors back, who were throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the security forces in response. But she just stood there, staring up to the stars, while Akimondi soldiers rushed past her towards the violence, their faces illuminated briefly by the orange glow of the fires speckled about the plaza. Soon, she was completely surrounded, with a large group of Akimonadi soldiers approaching her, ordering her to comply. They grabbed her, and began to drag the apparently unarmed rioter off for processing, pulling her through the crowd on her back. She gently closed her eyes and began to mouth a prayer to herself under her breath, before slipping her slender hand into her coat and grasped the device firmly in her palm. As her eyes opened for the last time, she took one last look at the beautiful Echoese sky, then detonated the rows of explosives latched around her chest. Smoke, flame and blood enveloped a quarter of the plaza itself, the Echoese sky now an angry glow of red.
She was known thereafter as Saint Mariana.

OOC: I'll say its fine to RP soldiers doing things like, say, demanding surrender. Don't have them shoot or anything, I'll take care of that.

Situation Room, Bunker A6, Somewhere in Akimonad

"Would somebody please tell me what the hell I'm doing down here?" Dr. Hodz asked gruffly. He had been roused from his sleep and expedited to the underground bunker he was now in.

"There was a threat to you." said a chief of staff.

"Like what?"

"It doesn't really matter."

Hodz sighed, annoyed. "Well, what's the matter."

"The Echoese are the matter, sir."

"What now?"

"Well, they've killed quite a few troops with IEDs. And they burned our flag."

"Both illegal in Akimonadi territories." Hodz said shortly. "Well, take care of it."

"How, sir?" asked an old military man.

"Cut off the head, and the body dies." Hodz said, walking out.

The brass assembled in the room looked around in apparent confusion.

Akimonadi Executive Building, Dolphinea

"We have to do something," Frederick Bremer said, pacing nervously. "but we don't want to provoke war."

"Why not?" asked Assistant Proconsul Brittany Grana. "We're quite capable of repelling foreign invasion."

"True as that may be, I've been instructed to try for peace first."

Bremer picked up his phone and dialed.

"Get me Delphin Hyit on the phone. Now."

Southeast Neo Savannah Detatchment Installation

A large boom rocked the outpost as a a building crumbled.

"What the hell?!" yelled the Major commander of the Installation. "Get out there!" he said, motioning to the troops encamped inside the barracks and bunker. Five hundred men grabbed weapons and streamed out of the barracks and into Bradley IFVs and HMMWVs. Two HMMWVs had large Active Denial System dishes on top of them.

They drove out of the base, hunting for insurgents.

The Lieutenant in command of the small force ordered them to disperse.

Three Bradleys and four HMMWVs departed out to the east of the base.

"Who's that?" said a driver. "He's got a gun. An AK. Not one of ours."

The HMMWVs stopped and some men disembarked. They walked towards the man, weapons raised, demanding his surrender.

The remaining thousand men remained in the bunker at the firing positions, armed with machine guns and missiles.

The major stood near the comms center.

"Get me an AC-130 and an AH-1Z here on the double." he ordered.

The man at the radio picked up a mic and called.

Within a half hour, an AH-1Z was patrolling over the base, and the AC-130 was beginning to circle over the eastern area of Neo Savannah.

"Sir," said the radio operator, "We've got reports of more violence throughout the city."

"Very well." the Major said. "Order a full alert. Send out two thousand soldiers in HMMWVs with machine guns and ADS, some Bradleys, and a few Abrams tanks. That and I want three more AC-130s here, as well as a squadron of F-35s."

Orders were sent out, and vehicles streamed into the city, breaking up any large formations of people or rioters.

Dolphinea Palace

Soldiers were omnipresent within the palace now, given the rioters outside. Some engineers marched in, carrying some small dishes. They shouted for people to move and ran up stairs and elevators and onto the roof.

On the roof of the palace, soldiers and snipers stood watch as the engineers assembled ten dishes and generators to power them.

After the dishes had been set up, an engineer came up to one of the soldiers and handed him a remote connected with cable. He nodded at the engineer and the engineer walked away towards the stairs.

The soldier motioned for everyone on the roof to back up behind the dishes.

He picked up a mic connected to some megaphone arranged in front of the protesters.

"YOU ARE ORDERED TO DISPERSE IMMEDIATELY." his voice boomed through the megaphones.

He pressed a button on the remote and the dishes activated. They were Active Denial Systems, and soon every protester would feel as though they were being touched with very hot light bulbs.

Akimonadi Executive Building, Dolphinea

"Sir!" a man shouted, ripping a paper off a printer. "We just got this." He handed the paper to Frederick Bremer.

"Suicide bomb attacks in.. Augusta Nova. Fifty soldiers dead. Well, this calls for action. Full alert, territory-wide. I want Augusta Nova secured. I don't care what you have to do. Order the men to shoot anyone who does not comply with orders within five seconds. That should be enough."

Within minutes klaxons were ringing at installations throughout the Echo Islands, as soldiers grabbed weapons and clamored into vehicles. Naval patrols were increased, and planes flew constant patrols over the skies.

In Agusta Nova, two hundred tanks, as well as numerous IFVs and Strykers, poured into the city. Soldiers also poured in, making their presence complete. A twenty-four hour curfew was now in effect in the city.

**********
Official Declaration

Today, Akimonad lost many brave men to the insurgent violence in the Echo Islands.

To this end, I issue this decree: All insurgent activity will cease immediately, or Echoese sovereignty shall be revoked. We suggest the insurgents sue for peace first before they lose such privileges.

At this time, I have ordered Proconsul Bremer to contact Delpin Hyit. We will attempt to understand the demands of the insurgents and make attempts at rectifying them.

~Dr. Jules Hodz,
First Minister

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Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad:
The Far Echo Islands lost their sovereignty a long time ago: They have nothing left to lose.

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Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

Neo Savannah, Georgia Island, CFEI

The still torn but standing city of Neo Savannah was the place the first place to aggressively resist the Akimonadi resistance, a band of college student had formed a Red Dawn type of resistance in the city, they had scrounged up weapons from all around, various gun shops left vacant by refugee owners, dead soldiers, any thing and every thing they could think of.

One of the more prominent leaders of the group, which had begun calling itself the Tiger Sharks, ironically after their collegiate mascot, walked up to an Akimonadi soldier who had been patrolling the city looking to arrest looters and disrupters like the Echoese man was. The man, named John Earnest, went up to the soldier, asked: “Are you an Akimonadi?”

“Yes.” The soldier responded bluntly.

“That’s too bad.” With that Earnest unslung a sawn-off shot gun and put two shells point blank into the soldier’s chest.

After that, 20 students with AK-47’s sunk up outside a small Akimonadi intercity ‘outpost’ where soldiers stayed and sometimes detained criminals, then they detonated an improvised explosive device, and then stormed the outpost firing their guns and killing soldiers.

The whole city was amuck with similar scenes.

A dolphin swam off shore of Kaylee Beach in Neo Savanah, leaving its pod for just a few minutes, the midnight sun glowing silver off the waves of the Transequatorial Ocean, it surfaced for air, with its eye it caught a glimpse of the city, the terrible red and orange flames and the grey smoke that engulfed it, heard the gunshots and explosions, and with all the sentience the Echoese were so convinced they had, it realized, something terrible had happened, but it could not fathom what, war was not but of delphinine lore.

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

Jewel Huskievark did know what it was, in brutal reality, she carried a small child of about 5 years, she was in the National Guard, but had been on a break when this broke out. Lost and confused she decided to leave the city. She had stumbled across the kid in the carnage as she fled. As she was about to cross a street that looked clear, staccato automatic weapons fire cut up the street with bullets. She hid down an alleyway.

BANG. A grenade went off not 50 feet away. She heard a voice scream something in Arkik, it sounded like ‘Help now!’ but it was so covered by the gunfire, she could not be sure, even if it was, she could do nothing. She held the child close, a helicopter zoomed overhead, very low altitude, and the trash at her feet was blown away.

A chaingun on the helicopter cut open with a sound like a demented chainsaw, and for a second, the gunfire stopped. Then an RPG flew at the helicopter, and a giant explosion erupted as the explosive projectile collided with the aircraft. The heli spun out of control into a nearby building and exploded with the loudest noise Jewel had ever hear in her 17 year long life. (One can join the armed forces at 16 in CFEI, and it is like the Russians, women fight with the men.)

This brief distraction was enough for the two sides to stop firing; Jewel and the child sprinted across the road. She found an open manhole, and dropped the child down it, and then followed. It was here ticket out of hell on Earth.

Somewhere around Red City,
The World Soviet Party

"So, The Far Echo Islands is on fire?"

"Yes, the Akimonadi have invaded the islands, they are doing it under the guise of 'peace efforts', but it's a scam, I know it."

"Good, have you heard of any resistance movements?"

"Well, our embassy reports a number of riots around the city, and several violent incidents involving Akimonadi troops and Echoese civilians."

"That's great, try and get one of those civilians under our embassy's custody, then hold him until our representative gets there, that should do it."

Soviet Embassy,
The Far Echo Islands

The security personnel had stepped up defenses since the nation went socialist, unfortunately for the Echoese, trouble seemed to follow left-wing nations, and the Soviets were not willing to risk such an strategic position.

Still, they had orders to induct a 'freedom fighter' or 'terrorist' from the Echoese ranks, it didnt matter which, it all depended on which side were you.

So, they waited, and hoped someone would dare approach the embassy grounds.

Dolphinea Int’l Airport

An Akimonadi rushed up to Delpin handing him a phone. Hyit took it and, said “Hello? Who is this?”

Outside Dolphinea Palace

The protesters screamed out in pain. People dispersed from the palace, but still more distant streets were filled with protesters, still saying what they had been saying.

Yamamoto Army Base, 50 miles north of Neo Savannah

Echoese General Kiravik Lassu strode up to an Akimonadi General in a situation room at the base.

“Ah, General Lassu, come here, I could use your help to combat the insurgency.” He pointed to a map on a table, “You see, I’m planning a main assault on this sector of the city, but do you think that if we created a diversion here and flanked the insurgents-” an Akimonadi General began to say to Lassu, but Lassu cut him off:

“You’d like my help, huh? That’s nice, it's just too bad that I don’t feel much like helping anybody today, ain’t it?” Lassu had a draw that was just so, it seemed to add break the tension and just slow the whole world down.

“Wha-?” began the Akimonadi, but again Lassu cut him off, this time with a 10mm round implanted at 700 miles an hour into his head. Blood splattered the map as it did the streets of Neo Savannah. The soldiers of Neo Savannah had rebelled against the Akimonadi, and began killing the Akimonadi on sight.

OOC: the embassies are in New St. Petersburg, as Dolphinea was not the capital when the embassies were planned, just fyi.

New St. Petersburg

Raul Dekakalz was a fascist patriot who lived just outside of New St. Petersburg, he was that crazy type that just goes to the extreme in loving his country, to the point of obsession, insanity, and the man had his own landing strip, a Cessna, and about 100 kilos of industrial explosives from his ‘mining business’ what was a ploy to get the explosives years ago after the overthrow of the dictatorship in the 1980’s. He loaded up the explosives onto the plane, and took off, and headed toward the Arctica Palace that was the former capitol building. He flew in low, and dived at the building. Even if he was shot down now the plane would likely crash into the building and kill the Akimonadi inside.

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

New St. Petersburg was one of the more collected cities, probably because was sub zero (Celsius of Fahrenheit, it doesn’t matter) and people did not want to go out and riot. But one man named Nicholas Luain was strolling out sort of looking to start a protest, and strode by through the roads where embassies sat, and the gusts of wind carrying snow flurries seemed to get stronger and colder as he strode by the Soviet Embassy.

New St. Petersburg was one of the more collected cities, probably because was sub zero (Celsius of Fahrenheit, it doesn’t matter) and people did not want to go out and riot. But one man named Nicholas Luain was strolling out sort of looking to start a protest, and strode by through the roads where embassies sat, and the gusts of wind carrying snow flurries seemed to get stronger and colder as he strode by the Soviet Embassy.

The guards at the entrance looked at each other, this was their chance to accomplish their mission, then they could forget all about it over a bottle of Vodka, they nodded to each other, there were to ways of doing this.

The tallest one spoke up:

"Excuse me mister, my mate here and I were just talking about this oddity we have found many Echoese to possess, would you be as kind as to tell us if this is common around your people or not?"

Nicholas looked at the Soviets, assumed they were talking about Vodka, and said "Vodka, I love the stuff, it’s not the most common, but not hard to find here either, mind sharing a sip?"

Nicholas looked at the Soviets, assumed they were talking about Vodka, and said "Vodka, I love the stuff, it’s not the most common, but not hard to find here either, mind sharing a sip?"

"Sure" the second guard took the bottle from a small table nearby and extended it to the Echoese.

"Sure" the second guard took the bottle from a small table nearby and extended it to the Echoese.

"Thanks guys!" The Echoese man took the Soviet Vodka and took a big gulp, then proceeded to say something to the way of "Whoo hooo!" then blinked a few times, and said: "That's good stuff, strong, but good."

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI
(Set between Marianna's death and the arrival of the Akimonadi reinforcements

Sol, the young insurgent with the dark-hair and athletic build, took up his rightful position next to his gray-headed leader. Vaan was his name, and for a man in his mid-sixties he could still fight like a dog, a big, vicious dog. A young women to their left popped her head up above the rock they were sheltering for a moment, and fired an RPG round straight at the two Akimonadi soldiers guarding the gate of the Communications Tower. It left a huge hole in the wall, and the insurgents all opened fire on the guards, who were relatively outnumbered with most of their assets being diverted in to reinforce the city. No-one thought that an old, unused communications tower would be a valuable commodity to either side. Nevertheless, they were wrong, and now had some twenty-eight members of the resistance advancing on their position, with machine-gun and mortar fire.
With the majority of the guard's complement now focused on repelling the assault at the main gate, Vaan pushed Sol to his feet, who began to run in the complete opposite direction. In under a minute, he was scrambling over a series of cliff-like rocks, eventually coming to the facility's outer wall from a different vector than the main assault. With no-troops guarding this section it was easy enough to climb over and make for the tower itself, only all hadn't gone exactly to plan. As it looked, their were still a handful of Akimonadi guards within the tower itself; notably guard command staff and a few other soldiers. He picked out his radio from his pocket and muttered quietly:

"Dog-Two needs his pack ASAP!"

He would need reinforcements to take the tower. Failing to deliver the Imperium the SITREP was not an option...

"Thanks guys!" The Echoese man took the Soviet Vodka and took a big gulp, then proceeded to say something to the way of "Whoo hooo!" then blinked a few times, and said: "That's good stuff, strong, but good."

"Indeed it is" -the guards nodded- "However, we need you to come inside for a minute, if you please."

One of them, however, put his hand over his holster, just in case the Echoese tried to do anything but comply.

Dolphinea

News of the death of one general had reached Bremer, and he was now chiefly displeased. He had the phone in his hand.

"Delphin, what's going on? What do these insurgents want?"

Bunker in Akimonad

"What's happened now?" Dr. Hodz asked. He was not enjoying this.

"Well, Agusta Nova and Dolphinea are rioting. A general's been killed. We don't know why." said a man at a station in the situation room.

"I want those cities held. It should not be hard."

"Very well." the man said, sending out orders.

Dolphinea Palace

The soldier surveyed the scene before him. People were streaming away from the palace, which was good. However, there were many more that were unaffected.

"Let's get some ADS humvees, Strykers and riot guards down there!" he ordered.

Within minutes, more Humvees carrying dishes drove towards the crowds, activating their ADS. MPs with riot shields, helmets, and both less-than-lethal and lethal weapons formed a wall and walked forward, pushing the rioters back.

Behind them, in the now empty space, Humvees and Bradley IFVs drove in, blocking the streets from entrance.

Dolphinea Palace was now a restricted area.

Strategic Command, Upson

Upson, the city farthest from any violence. Its position made it well-suited for a command outpost.

And thus it was. The Command Bunker had been built underneath an Akimonadi colonial building.

In the main room of the Bunker, large projectors cast blue tints around the room with their displays. The room looked like a AEGIS CIC, only much larger.

"Reports coming in, sir. A comms tower in Agusta Nova has been attacked."

"Well, reinforcements are there... Is it important?"

"Well, we don't use it, but it's still working. It could be an attempt to send some sort of message."

"That's true. I mean, why else would they attack an unused comms tower? Well, I suppose we better fix the problem. You know what to do."

Agusta Nova

The guards at the Comms Tower were tense. They were surrounded, but they knew reinforcements would be there soon. They knew someone would come.

Within minutes, the AC-130 and AH-1Z that had been patrolling were redirected to the comms array.

The AC-130 flew in circles, machine gunning and blastig the insurgents.

The AH-1Z fired two Hellfire missiles and six rockets into the Comms Tower, destroying it.

The large tower buckled and collapsed to the ground.

The 11th Fleet departed Sattelia, cutting through the deep blue waters of the Great Western Ocean towards the Islands. Echonia would be freed.

--

Below Neo-Savannah

The defunct water systems that had fallen into disuse after the Bloody Sunday War were now alive with the clang of metal and the dull staccato of footsteps. The 321 Imperials in the subterranean fortress were preparing for their day of reckoning. If Neo-Savanna could be wrested from Akimonadi control, it's military harbour could be the perfect stagin ground for the liberating forces. Why not give the rioters a hand?

Dolphinea Int'l

Delpin laughed into the phone for a moment, he knew of the Akimonadi tightening their grip on his nation, but not of the extent of the violence taking place, then replied, “Quite frankly, they’d probably just love to see a bullet go into you brain! But I digress, they likely just want Akimonad out of their business, we’re a bit jingoistic about our country.”

Dolphinea

The nonviolent protest suddenly ceased to be that way at the sight of the Akimonadi Police. A protester at the front of the crowd suddenly pulled out a pistol and fired 7 shots at the police. The Echoese National Guard’s General for this area had decided he didn’t like the Akimonadi either and so he sent out a 2 Black Hawk helicopters.

The Black Hawks ignored any airspace restrictions and moved very near Dolphinea Palace, when they were within range, the gunners on the side of the helicopters opened up with Gating gun fire on to Akimonadi vehicles and police.

Neo Savannah

General Lassu had rounded up about a thousand Echoese troops to help liberate the city, as well as 20 Challenger II tanks. It wasn’t much of a force, but it wouldn’t hurt the efforts.

The troops and the tanks charged into the city like Cavalries of old and had no aim to take any Akimonadi prisioners.

In the city, the Echoese had managed to seize what few ships were left in the harbor. There was still a naval base here, but it had mostly been evacuated to Headway after the nuclear bombs went off for fear of radiation, even though the radiation never reached Neo Savannah, the ships had not been transferred back by now. In the harbor though were 3 Montana Class battleships. They were not perfect weapons, not with skeleton crews and a few untrained rebels operating them, but they were big weapons. They proceeded to fire 20 18 inch rounds into the Akimonadi base to ensure that it was gone forever. They also detected the incoming AC-130 and fired 10 Sea Sparrow missiles at it which would surly take it down.

"Indeed it is" -the guards nodded- "However, we need you to come inside for a minute, if you please."

One of them, however, put his hand over his holster, just in case the Echoese tried to do anything but comply.

Feeling there was little more he could do with his day today, he decided why not, Nicholas could not figure anything bad that would really happen, the relations with the Soviets was pretty good, and this pair seemed particularly friendly, they had given him Vodka. "Sure, I'll come in out of this damn cold weather." he said lightheartedly.

The Kiravians emerged from manholes throughout the city, suprising and killing Akimonadi patrols. Of course, they needed to protect their identities. Orders were given in English, not Coscivian, and the men wore hoods and masks over their unmarked Kevlar armour.
--
Waters off of the Echo Islands

The 11th fleet neared the CEFI nautical border. The invasion was imminent.

Feeling there was little more he could do with his day today, he decided why not, Nicholas could not figure anything bad that would really happen, the relations with the Soviets was pretty good, and this pair seemed particularly friendly, they had given him Vodka. "Sure, I'll come in out of this damn cold weather." he said lightheartedly.

The guards opened the gates and let the Echoese enter the embassy grounds, one of them escorted the man into the embassy proper, where a clerk was already waiting for him, with another bottle of vodka, just in case.

"Greetings, I believe we have not been introduced, mister...?"

The guards opened the gates and let the Echoese enter the embassy grounds, one of them escorted the man into the embassy proper, where a clerk was already waiting for him, with another bottle of vodka, just in case.

"Greetings, I believe we have not been introduced, mister...?"

"Nicholas Luain, and you are?" Said the Echoese man truthfully. He nonchalantly took the bottle of vodka.

"Nicholas Luain, and you are?" Said the Echoese man truthfully. He nonchalantly took the bottle of vodka.

The clerk looked at him, and pointed at a door leading to another room.

"That is not important, however, there is someone who would like to meet you, Mr. Luain, if you'd be as kind as to enter..."

The door was opened from the inside, revealing a large conference room with a big square table in the middle, waiting there, was the ambassador as well as a representative from Soviet Arms Corporation.

The clerk looked at him, and pointed at a door leading to another room.

"That is not important, however, there is someone who would like to meet you, Mr. Luain, if you'd be as kind as to enter..."

The door was opened from the inside, revealing a large conference room with a big square table in the middle, waiting there, was the ambassador as well as a representative from Soviet Arms Corporation.

"Wha- well, OK, as long as I get to keep the Vodka." Said Luain, now starting to feel the drinks effects and moving into the other room. He looked over the man from the Soviet Arms Corporation, and said "Well, what's your story?"

"Wha- well, OK, as long as I get to keep the Vodka." Said Luain, now starting to feel the drinks effects and moving into the other room. He looked over the man from the Soviet Arms Corporation, and said "Well, what's your story?"

The representative pointed at a comfortable chair, and took one for himself, he waited until Luain was done and finally spoke.

"We have been watching the latest events here in The Far Echo Islands with great..." he produced a small grin "interest, specially with the Army rebelling against the Akimonadi. Now, I gather there is also a civilian resistance going on, am I right?"

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI

Sol and his group had just managed to breach the defences of the control tower, even with confused and scattered Akimonadi patrols swarming about.

"Vaan, can you hear me? Shit this radio sucks... Vaan? Vaan I'm in, I'm uploading the message now, I just need two min-"

Suddenly, the screech of missiles drowned out the noise of battle, and the tower was lit up in the most spectacular show of firepower Vaan had ever seen, with great flames rising through the inside, erupting over and consuming the great dish at it's peak.

"Sol! Sol! Fuck! SOL!!!"

Vaan screamed as he watched the steel megalith groan and burn in the hellfire. Bullets were whizzing around his head, with more Akimonadi patrols closing in on their position, his men scattered, wounded and defeated. But he just stood there... His new second in command ran over, firing his sub-machine gun intermittently at the professional Akimonadi troops,

"Sir we have to bail! Now!.... Vaan!"

Gradually, the remaining insurgents retreated back into the cover of the forest, firing the last of their RPG's at the enemy forces. Running through the woodland at full pelt, their gray leader pulled an electronic table out of his utility belt and looked at it, slowing down and slumping against a tree. It read:

<TRANSMISSION TERMINATED> 20:43 HOURS
PROGRESS: 3%: ["This is the Resistance. We are many. Liberation has commenced. SITREP Foll%%∂$√$" END]

*****

Xixón, Asturia, Northern Iberia

In the clear skies of Asturia, the Combined liberation fleet departed Iberian waters for the last time. A message had apparently been intercepted by High Command, although barely any of it was elidgable. What the were able to unearth, was that the Imperial insurgency was alive, and they were fighting. That was enough for Gaius.

Akimonad

Dr. Hodz leaned on the chair of the operator in front of him. He was staring at images of the Kiravian fleet and the Pictavian fleet.

"How far is the Kiravian fleet?" he asked.

"Too close for comfort. There's a fleet of ours in the area, though, and we've dispatched some others to complement it."

"And the Pictish fleet?"

"Well, they could seriously stretch our naval capabilities in the Echo Islands. They're just departing, though."

"Good. Keep me updated if they pose a threat."

65 nm from Kiravian Fleet

The Second Fleet had been, until recently, doing routine patrols. Thing were different now, however, as a Kiravian fleet had been spotted.

Now the fleet was preparing to intercept the fleet. In about an hour they would be join by a complement of ships, and then depart.

OOC: So basically they're headed for the Kiravian fleet now.

North Georgia Military Installation, 100 mi southwest of Agusta Nova

Agusta Nova, though backed up by the small base inside the city bounds, was becoming a problem.

Thus it was decided to lay siege to the city.

GIs climbed into HMMWVs, Strykers, Bradley IFVs and Abrams tanks. Also along for the fun were M109 Howitzers and M270 Rocket Artillery. They would be the main force for the assault on the city.

Meanwhile, elite units boarded C-17s and prepared to parachute into the city. Apache helicopters and A-10s were prepared to provide close air support.

A squadron of F-35s would provide air superiority in the area.

It would take several hours to mobilize the full force.

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI
It was time to bring out the big guns...

In the "Rabbit-run", during the Echoese war of northern aggression, Elite Imperial Pathfinder units had been covertly stationed around The Far Echo Islands. Originally there were thirty in the city, known as the "Augusta Thirty" because of their daring and heroic raids on Akimonadi occupation forces. Over time, with a large Akimonadi presence in most other cities, and with the spreading word of the "Augusta Thirty"'s operations, units from all over Georgia Island sent troops in to train insurgents. However, now there was no more need for secrecy. Now circa seventy strong, they were finally able to dig-up their Imperial Armour and continue the fight as Pictish soldiers.
The only other base of operations for the Imperial Insurgency was in the northern city of Archangel, where a similar force was left to disrupt the ex-capital. The violence to the north had not spread with such severity however, and the Pathfinders spent their time gathering intelligence, and creating a vast network of strategic tunnels, fall-back stations and ammo dumps. Their time was not now.
The Pathfinders in Augusta were now ready for battle. They were armed with their Polaris Pulse weaponry, sufficient personal explosives, and their Imperial armour. The majority of the Imperial insurgency, circa one thousand strong, were armed with a myriad of weapons. Many under Pictish control were armed with old Imperial PDWs, mostly MP7's or with sniper rifles, RPG launchers and too much C4. Since the uprising, the Akimonadi had began to withdraw and hold their positions round the city's outskirts. Freedom fighters dug trenches, erected road-blocks, blew holes in roads to slow down Akmonadi armour- everything you could think of. Anti-Air equipment was very hard to come by, and the insurgency would have to concentrate their fight in buildings and below ground to stand a real chance....

*****

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/ImperialSealUpload.png
Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad:
The Imperium demands the immediate ceasing of Akimonadi aggression in The Far Echo Islands. Your military build-up on the islands has led to nothing but a surge in violence, is it not obvious that the people crave freedom? Do you think that even if you defeat the rebels, the insurgency will just end? We are not warmongers, contrary to what you believe, we do see reason. In return for the city of Augusta Nova, the Imperium shall refrain from military intervention. It is our intention to create a semi-autonomous state under Imperial guidance, to end the suffering of the people. However, should our terms not be met, it is unfortunate that action will have to be taken.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Gaius.jpg
Regards,
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Signature.png
Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

Robert E. Russell Headway Naval Base (Headway)

*Secure Encoded Transmission to the Kiravian Fleet*

To: Kiravian Commanding Officer
From: Admiral Fovo

We have noticed your presence off the shores of our nation. We have also noticed the mobilization of Akimonadi Assets towards your ships. We would like to know if you would like our assistance in vexing them. Please reply immediately.

*message end*

Xavier Air Force Base (ooc: Xavier is a little west of Centerville)

Air General Sebastian Ukav mulled his options, but then again it was clear what he must do, but he felt so confused with everything, what to do, he felt like screaming, there had simply been too many wars, he didn’t want to fight another, and with the country officially still at DefCon 4, he couldn’t really deploy anything with out the Arbiter’s authority, but for all he knew the Arbiter could be dead, he was at a mental impasse of authorities, but his morals cleared the way.

He turned on and spoke into the base wide P.A. system:
“Attention: All pilots and support staff, the base is now on alert level Red. Deploy 20 F-23’s to patrol the base at all times, mobilize 10 CJ-19B’s (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=542927)to assist in Neo Savannah’s rebellion, and 10 more to support the Augusta Nova rebellion, dispatch with 10 F-23’s covering each. That is an order people, lets get moving!” (ooc: for later referance that equals to 20 CJ-19B's and 200 F-23's)

The Ground Staff did not question the General’s authority, and they specified forces were deployed over a bustling runway and a suddenly very busy Air Base.

After the orders had been carried out, a slender woman in an Air Force uniform entered the General’s office, “Sebastian, are you sure that was a wise move you made? So openly opposing the Aki’s?” she said, with a deep Russian accent.

“Yes,” Sebastian began, his slight draw a sharp contrast to the Russian accent, “I don’t care what they say, they can either get the hell out or I’ll make ‘em. I don’t care if they ever court marshal me.”

“So bold, General Sebastian.” She said chuckling slightly, she the proceeded to kiss the General on the lips, and leave as if nothing had happened.

Neo Savannah

The CJ-13B Combat Monster’s big guns pummeled Akimonadi emplacements all through the city. The big guns blew away troop emplacements and ripped holes in APC’s and damaged tanks.

In the mean time, the F-23’s tackled any Akimonadi air resistance with extreme force. And below all this was General Kiravik Lassu’s tank force, pushing out the Akimonadi as well as the naval bombardment from the Montana Class ships and the rebel ground freedom fighters. Neo Savannah would become known as the first great rebel stronghold, free from the Akimonadi.

Augusta Nova

On this attack, the F-23’s came in first, launching penetrating missiles at known Akimonadi strong points, and then turning to any airborne Akimonadi resistance. Then the Combat Monsters came in, using all their weapons began to destroy the Akimonadi ground forces, firing like crazy until there was nothing more to fire at. Perhaps, Augusta Nova may be known as the second rebel stronghold?

Upson

It was ironic that today was Constitution Day, the day that the fighting of the 3rd Revolution in the 1980’s had stopped once and for all, when peace began to once again reign in the Islands as the current Constitution was signed, making an end to the dictatorship and a beginning to the Confederacy, normally, it was a day of immense celebration and festivities, and usually a feast nationwide, but today, it seemed isolated to Upson, sadly.

Nonetheless, it was a celebration, war or no war, the day started at 9:00 am with the Upson Constitution Day Parade, the streets were lined with celebrators, red and gold Echoese flags flew so proud in the November wind. Leaves of all colors seemed to fall constantly, as if a blizzard would with snow flakes, but in fact, the breeze was warm and lighthearted, it smelled of the sea, and of the various cookeries going on as families all through the city prepared for their feast. The temperature was just brisk enough for a light jacket, and it felt invigorating, no where did the war seem so far despite being so close as it did in Upson.

The representative pointed at a comfortable chair, and took one for himself, he waited until Luain was done and finally spoke.

"We have been watching the latest events here in The Far Echo Islands with great..." he produced a small grin "interest, specially with the Army rebelling against the Akimonadi. Now, I gather there is also a civilian resistance going on, am I right?"

Luain took a seat an sat way back, stretched, and then replied.

"Yea, in the South from what I hear, too cold here for one if you ask me! But, it'll come, just wait till the break up in the spring!" Said Luain with a chuckle.

Luain took a seat an sat way back, stretched, and then replied.

"Yea, in the South from what I hear, too cold here for one if you ask me! But, it'll come, just wait till the break up in the spring!" Said Luain with a chuckle.

"And would you, per chance, take part in this 'spring' revolt?"

"And would you, per chance, take part in this 'spring' revolt?"

"I'll fight for the State of Seven and for New St. Petersburg anyday, anytime, any tempature, I'd go out there right now if I knew I would have some backup, and some decent weaponry, why do you ask?" Luain answered the question and asked a question with a tone as if the question had taken off the slightly lighthearted mood off that the Vodka had given him.

150nm off the coast of CFEI:

Surface Group 1, the largest and most advanced naval group in the USSY sailed towards the Far Echo Islands.

Admiral Alexei Fyodorovich Karamazov, head of the fleet, sent a message to Xavier AFB.

*Secret Encoded Message*

To: The Commander of Xavier AFB
From: Admiral Alexei Fyodorovich Karamazov

Hello, Comrade! Greetings from the USSY. Surface Group 1, the best our navy has to offer, will soon be in Echoese waters.

Niceties aside, I have a very serious request to make. Aboard our ship, 50 men, from the most secret unit in all of Yanitaria, are ready to aid in your rebellion.

These advisers are bar none, the best we have to offer. They will provide you with Steyr AUG's, TMP's, and Glock 17's. These weapons are standard issue to insurgents that we aide. We will also find a safe place to establish an ultra secret base. However, we really need a hint as to where the best place to start an insurgency would be. We are willing to transport men and women via boat, but our intelligence on the Islands is limited, and we would rather find a place on Georgia Island.

Also, we would like for you to arrange for air support. You see, we cannot send military units quite yet, and Les Enfants Perus, the unit of which I speak, is only known among the Statesmen, Generals, and Admirals of the USSY. We wish to use a few modified light transport planes to land at the location of our base, but we do not want to risk losing these men, or having them captured, and either reveal their unit to the world, or commit suicide.

Aside from that, Yanitarian Marines, veterans of a war in North America, are aboard, and will be ready to deploy once a hostilities start.

Good luck,
Admiral Karamazov

"I'll fight for the State of Seven and for New St. Petersburg anyday, anytime, any tempature, I'd go out there right now if I knew I would have some backup, and some decent weaponry, why do you ask?" Luain answered the question and asked a question with a tone as if the question had taken off the slightly lighthearted mood off that the Vodka had given him.

"Decent weaponry? That can be arranged, but you need to give us some assurance before, we wouldnt like to give our 'gifts' to anyone who happened to walk by our embassy now, would we?"

Robert E. Russell Headway Naval Base (Headway)

*Secure Encoded Transmission to the Kiravian Fleet*

To: Kiravian Commanding Officer
From: Admiral Fovo

We have noticed your presence off the shores of our nation. We have also noticed the mobilization of Akimonadi Assets towards your ships. We would like to know if you would like our assistance in vexing them. Please reply immediately.

*message end*



As Admiral Rainsford read the transmission, his subordinate, Fleet Captain Xerxes Scotchforest gave announced,

"Akimonadi fleet nearby on intercept course. 65 nautical miles and closing."

"Yellow Alert. All hands, battle stations."

"Aye sir."

As the naval officers and enlisted men rushed to prepare the ships for battle, Rainsford sent a transmission back to Admiral Fovo.

*Secure Encoded Transmission to Headway NVB*

To: Admiral Fovo
From: Admiral Rainsford

Thank you for your offer of help. I daresay it is gravely needed. You have our gratitude.

*message end*

"Get the carriers to the back of the line! I want gunships and the Caledonia-class ships at the front. Scotia-class to the third level! we need to secure the invasion forces."

Xavier AFB
*Heavily Encrypted Reply*
To: Admiral Karamazov
From: Air General Sebastian Ukav

I am very grateful for your offer of assistance. We can certainly arrange to have you fleet’s air support, and as for you landing location, I recommend on the northern shore of Georgia Island, the best option may be the shore north of Harborton, at (coordinates) specifically. I will have a team waiting with aircraft in the air at whatever time you specify.

Great Fortune to You,
General Ukav

*Message End*

Headway NVB

Admiral Fovo glanced over the Kiravian reply, then he issued an order to bring the base up to Full Alert Status and begin mobilizing the fleet.

*Encrypted Reply*
To: Admiral Rainsford
From: Admiral Fovo

We have mobilized, we are on our way to intercept.

God Save Us,
Admiral Fovo
*Message End*

The docks at the base suddenly came alive as if a disturbed anthill. Crews and sailor scrambled into ships and support crews moved to unmoor ships from the docks, twin Nimitz class carriers moved out into the sea, followed by several dozen Adélie Class Battleships and Arleigh Burke Class Destroyers moved out to sea. There were several Virginia class submarines as well that had already been out at sea. In fact, the entire Navy Battlegroup 1 (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13237860&postcount=5) was dispatched to vanquish the Akimonadi foes.

Rainsford recieved Adm. Fovo's reply. "Echoese forces are underway. Prepare to engage the Akimonadi fleet."

"Fleet is in position, sir"

"Inform Fleet Admiral Cetacia in Sattelia of our status. Ready all weapons."

"Enemy fleet remains on intercept course."

"Send an encrypted message to the Echoese. We need their ETA."

***Heavily encrypted Message***
To: Admiral Fovo, Headway
From: I.N.S. Pelagic

We are deeply in your debt for this help. What is your ETA?

May the Lord save our ships an dour souls.

***END ENCYPTION***

*Encrypted Reply*
To: Admiral Rainsford
From: Admiral Fovo

Forward force of F-35's should be in striking range of the Akimonadi in 15 minutes, we will be within long range ship to ship missile strike area in 35 minutes, main gun range in about 50 minutes.

God's Speed,
Admiral Fovo
*Message End*

*Encrypted Reply*
To: Admiral Rainsford
From: Admiral Fovo

Forward force of F-35's should be in striking range of the Akimonadi in 15 minutes, we will be within long range ship to ship missile strike area in 35 minutes, main gun range in about 50 minutes.

God's Speed,
Admiral Fovo
*Message End*

***Encrypted Reply***
To: Admiral Fovo
From: Admiral Rainsford

Excellent. We will continue monitoring the Akimonadi fleet's progress.

May God's waves draw you nearer.

Admiral Rainsford

***END ENCRYPTION***
--

Meanwhilst, back in Kartika, a small group of six Senators debated in front of a digital map of the ever-expanding Kiravian Empire. Ever since the seperation of the Eastern Empire, the Senate had been quite volatile. Fourteen seats in the Senate Hall were now empty, Fourteen provinces no longer part of the Empire.

So, as one can imagine, political tensions, even in a nonpartisan legislature, can reach a breaking point during a war.

"Settlement of Sondara will surely make up for the shortage of molybednum that we have now that the Eastrons have taken over Páullenia."

"Sondara is a waste of time! Even with Zoingan help, we can never fully settle the province in time to resupply the artillery with molybednum!"

"If Akimonad retains the Echo Islands, then the shipping lanes to Sondara will be lost."

"But what about Sattelia?"

"It'll be a smoking pile of rubble if we lose this war."

"Forling! You're warmongering militarism has cost us enough already! We'd have a bit more respect abroad if you hadn't demanded that the NTC cede land to us!"

"If we listened to your proposals, then the Empire would consist of East Kirav and a few useless islands in the middle of hell-knows-where!"

"We're settler colonialists, not conquerers!"

"Damnit!", Senator Forling yelled as he drew a revolver and fatally shot Senator Coalforest.

In turn, Senator Ironfield pummeled Forling with a heavy law book.

Senatorial Guards intervened quickly, but not quickly enough to save Coalforest.

From the core of the Capital, the Empire was being torn apart.

Akimonadi Fleet, Echoese Waters

Admiral Scott sat nervously in the CIC of one of the two Davidson-class superdreadnaughts.

"We have surface and air contacts," and XO said, "air contacts closing. F-35s, I think."

"Hmm. Storkes, now." the Admiral ordered quickly.

On the Ford-class carriers, squadrons of FGR.1 Storkes, or "Shukas" as they were called by every self-respecting pilot to ever fly one, were loaded and prepared on the flight decks. They were fitted in basic fighter configuration, with BVRAAMs, AMRAAMs and ASRAAMs. Chances are they'd need them all for this engagement.

In several minutes, the force of about 350 Storkes was in the air and headed towards the unknown planes. They launched 200 BVRAAMs at the planes.

Meanwhile, the ships below prepared SAMs and CIWS systems for defense.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/ImperialSealUpload.png
Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad:
The Imperium demands the immediate ceasing of Akimonadi aggression in The Far Echo Islands. Your military build-up on the islands has led to nothing but a surge in violence, is it not obvious that the people crave freedom? Do you think that even if you defeat the rebels, the insurgency will just end? We are not warmongers, contrary to what you believe, we do see reason. In return for the city of Augusta Nova, the Imperium shall refrain from military intervention. It is our intention to create a semi-autonomous state under Imperial guidance, to end the suffering of the people. However, should our terms not be met, it is unfortunate that action will have to be taken.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Gaius.jpg
Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

Open Declaration

We are quite frankly confused about when the Pictavians ascended to a position where they are able to demand things.

No, you shall get nothing, and you are in a position to demand nothing.

~Dr. Jules Hodz

Harborton

Refugees, so many refugees, all heading somewhere, away from the coming conflict, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, families uprooted, lives destroyed, for politics, patriotism, flags, and guns. A war for a belief, maybe, an idea, what, why, where were they, who were they, they all felt so lost. A baby seemed to cry as five million stuffed onto ships, giant transport ships, headed, somewhere. Nowhere, so many thought. They were escaping, but from what, war, famine, death, perhaps a quick surrender, not likely, they were running for safety when no where was safe.

A cold front had moved in and winter seemed to be in a hurry this year, ice lined the usually warm streets of Harborton. Snow flurries were starting to collect and become a decent sized layer of snow. So odd, it was, snow was rare in January, and unheard of in November this far south.

It seemed though; the weather had changed to meet the emotions of the refugees. Chains crashed and propellers turned as the massive ships unmoored from the bay. The red flags at their stern these people believed no more in, these refugees, unlike the rest, they believed that war was not best.

The learned Captain of the fleet knew the charts well, and after scouring them well, a region he found, where peace was sound. “Capricia” he stated to his first mate “that’s where we’ll go, hell, we’ll make our own country, call it New Echonia, raise a new flag, with a new system, a commonwealth for freedom and peace. That’s what I say.”

And when they landed on the shores of Capricia, it was so (http://www.nationstates.net/new_echonia).

CFEI waters, Arligh Burke Class Destroyer Snow

“Attention Forward Strike Blue 1”

“Confirmed Snow, this is Blue 1, what is the problem.”

“Akimonadi vessels have launched missiles at your position, launch a counter strike, then enter evasive maneuvers.”

“WILCO.”

With that, the F-35 group of 60 planes fired 120 JASSM missiles at the Akimonadi Fleet, aimed at high value targets. After that, the F-35’s broke formation and turned away from the missiles and deployed chaff. It managed to distract most of the BVRAAMs missiles, only 10 planes went down, all their pilots bailed out and one was hit, but it was not destroyed, and managed to return to the carrier.

They then regrouped and fired 240 AIM-120D AMRAAM missiles at the enemy planes now popping up on RADAR.

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Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad:
My friend, the Imperium was enlightened with the ability to make such demands when its empire and military might make that of our enemies look insignificant. Akimonad is but a mark on this Earth, and we will see fit that our allies in Echo will not go without our comradeship.
This is an official declaration of war from the Pictish Imperium.

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Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

*****

Combined Imperial Fleet, Designation: Australis Island Territorial waters, CFEI

After days of grueling travel, the Imperial fleet was within eight-hours journey to the Echoese Confederacy. Already the great carriers were preparing their Doomani aircraft, testing launches, while the turrets of the many warships lay silent. The Imperium was at war.

Akimonadi Fleet, near Kiravian and Echoese Fleets

The fleet below began firing their CIWS systems at the incoming JASSMs. The JASSMs were easy prey for the many CIWS systems onboard the ships. It helped that they were subsonic, too, as the missiles were engaged easily. All the missiles were easily destroyed by the sheer numbers of CIWS on the ships.

Meanwhile, in the air, the Shukas fired off chaff and flares while pulling loops to speed back towards the fleet. Their maneuver generally worked, and only ten planes were lost.

The fleet waited with their SAMs to see if the enemy planes would take the bait.

Fleet near Australis Island

The Hiryu-class Fleet Carrier of the Third Fleet was flanked by two Davidson superdreadnaughts and many more smaller ships. It moved with the force of power. Above it, Shukas flew patrols.

"Surface contacts." an XO said curtly. "Smaller than us, looks like easy prey."

"If they're enemies." the Captain said strictly. "Hail them and see what they're on about. Meanwhile, arm CIWS and missiles."

A hail was sent to the unknown fleet, asking them to state the reason of their presence.

Dolphinea

"Proconsul, multiple fleets inbound." said a man in military dress. He handed Frederick Bremer a folder filled with intelligence reports.

"Right, dismissed." Frederick Bremer said, taking the folder. The man turned and left the room.

"So, what do we do now?" Bremer asked of his advisor, General Thompson.

"Well," Thompson said, "We've got fleets in the area of all but one fleet and able to intercept. It's perhaps fortunate that the only fleet we can't intercept appears to be the smallest. It shouldn't get past coastal defences, and if it does, troops will be waiting."

"Right. What about civic sieges?" Bremer asked.

"Neo Savannah has been hit hard, and we're still organizing a response. The force in Augusta Nova, however, should be getting on soon. They shouldn't survive long."

"What about the urban combat environment?"

"Out troops should generally be able to handle that. We've only sent in a small number of tanks, though, and they'll be used on main thoroughfares so they don't become rocket fodder."

"What about close air support?"

"Well, we're planning on using some support, though we're unsure as to the anti-air capabilities of the insurgents."

Augusta Nova

The force had now been fully prepared. The vehicles involved departed for varying installations around Augusta Nova and got underway for the city.

Each convoy traveled as quickly as possible and kept a watchful eye to the skies.

**********
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Official Declaration

The Declaration of Annexation of The Far Echo Islands, the agreement wherein Akimonad formally annexed TFEI, included a clause indicating a nonaggression pact between Akimonad and the Far Echo Islands.

As action has been precipitated by authorities acting on behalf of the Far Echo Islands, this pact has been broken.

Thus, Akimonad hereby recognizes that the Declaration of Annexation as nullified. All forms of Echoese sovereignty are hereby revoked and the government of TFEI is dissolved. The armed forces of TFEI are to be placed under Akimonadi control immediately.

~Dr. Jules Hodz,
First Minister

Delpin Hyit sat in his office as the declaration was made, however, an aide knocked on his door.

"Come in." Delpin said, already distraught over the situation, and his voice sounded it.

"Mr. Arbiter," began the aide, he was young, thin, but not athletic, but he seemed pleasnt not nerdy, "We have a problem." The aide placed a copy of the Akimonadi Announcemnt on Hyit's desk.

Delpin's face faded into devastation mixed with blind rage. "Black Hell." he said with no emotion at all.

"Sir? What do you advise?" said the aide, after a moment of akward silence, and his voice was cracking with nervousness.

"They have made their move, it's time we make ours. It's time we declare war." said Hyit.

"What of the Senate?"

"Fuck the damn senate." Delpin began in a rarely seen outburst of swearing, "Everybody already knows what's happening, and I'm the Commander in Chief, I command the military."

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Confederate States of the Echo Islands
Official Declaration of War

RESOLUTION Declaring that a state of war exists between the Government of The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad and the Government and the people of the Confederate States of the Far Echo Islands and making provisions to prosecute the same.
Whereas the Government of The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad has committed unprovoked acts of war against the Government and the people of the Confederate States of the Far Echo Islands:
Therefore be it Resolved by the Senate of the Confederate States of the Far Echo Islands in Senate assembled, that the state of war between the Confederate States and the Government of The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad which has thus been thrust upon the Confederate States is hereby formally declared; and the Grand Arbiter is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the Confederate States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Government of The Autocratic Federated Empire of Akimonad; and, to bring the conflict to a successful termination, all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the Confederate States.

Signed,
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Arbiter of the Confederacy

[Navy Battlegroup 1]

“This is Blue Leader to E.I.S. Snow, confirm 10 bogies downed. Bogies retreating, will presue.” Came the Echoese F-35 pilot’s voice over the radio.

“Snow to Blue Leader, negative. Something ain’t right here. The Akis aren’t ones to pull a fast retreat. And I can see them heading back towards the main fleet. You’re outnumbered to begin with; you don’t need missiles from ships coming at you as well. You are to double back onto the fleet. Wait to attack until the penguins* are in range.” Said the ship’s commander cautiously.

“Confirmed.” came Blue Leaders response, emotionless.

And the F-35’s did so and waited as the ships neared each other, slowly.

*Penguin: Slang for an Adelie Class Battleship, as they are named after the Adelie Class Penguin.

ooc: sorry, all I can write right now, will write more tommorrow.

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI

The forward war-parties of the insurgency sat huddled together, wide-eyed and haunted by the sound of Akimonadi armour rolling past them on the other side of the walls. Anti-armor, machine-gun and spotter and sniper groups resisted every urge in their body to run and remained out of sight of the advancing troops. Gradually the Akimonadi columns reached the main rebel line, which was crewed by as many men and women as they could muster fortified behind concrete road-blocks and in hastily dug trenches. As the fire-fight ensued it seemed but a matter of minutes before the main rebel line would fold under the might of the Akimonadi, until flare after flare shot out of the trenches, littering the sky like a swarm of fireflies. With the signal out the forward war-parties emerged, surrounding the Akimonadi troops in a storm of lead and RPG fire while snipers targeted officer after officer. Amidst the chaos of the line was one old man, known as the "Gray-man" to most of his men, and Vaan to his friends. He was running, head-down through the trenches, barking orders to the men and women folding the line:

"Keep firing! KEEP FIRING! Hold 'em back just a little longer. YOU! Put that RPG launcher to use, son! Take out their armour's tracks if you can't hit the damn things with a decent shot!

Eventually the Pictish soldier made his way to a panicked radio-operative who was relaying order after order to the line, desperately trying to hold the line together. Vaan threw himself into the canvas-covered bunker and grabbed the machine:

"All nearby friendlies, this is the Augusta Novan resistance. We are under attack and need support- say again, we need support! If you're out there, we could damn well use some angels in that sky!"

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI

The forward war-parties of the insurgency sat huddled together, wide-eyed and haunted by the sound of Akimonadi armour rolling past them on the other side of the walls. Anti-armor, machine-gun and spotter and sniper groups resisted every urge in their body to run and remained out of sight of the advancing troops. Gradually the Akimonadi columns reached the main rebel line, which was crewed by as many men and women as they could muster fortified behind concrete road-blocks and in hastily dug trenches. As the fire-fight ensued it seemed but a matter of minutes before the main rebel line would fold under the might of the Akimonadi, until flare after flare shot out of the trenches, littering the sky like a swarm of fireflies. With the signal out the forward war-parties emerged, surrounding the Akimonadi troops in a storm of lead and RPG fire while snipers targeted officer after officer. Amidst the chaos of the line was one old man, known as the "Gray-man" to most of his men, and Vaan to his friends. He was running, head-down through the trenches, barking orders to the men and women folding the line:

"Keep firing! KEEP FIRING! Hold 'em back just a little longer. YOU! Put that RPG launcher to use, son! Take out their armour's tracks if you can't hit the damn things with a decent shot!

Eventually the Pictish soldier made his way to a panicked radio-operative who was relaying order after order to the line, desperately trying to hold the line together. Vaan threw himself into the canvas-covered bunker and grabbed the machine:

"All nearby friendlies, this is the Augusta Novan resistance. We are under attack and need support- say again, we need support! If you're out there, we could damn well use some angels in that sky!"

Encrypted Message to the Agusta Novan Resistance:

Greetings from Yanitaria. Surface Group 1 is a mere 100 nautical miles away from Georgia Island. We will immediately send support in the form of Su-34, and Su-47's. ETA 15 minutes.

After the battle, we will have much to discuss, but now time is of the essence.

Surface Group 1:

"Order the pilots to launch." Admiral Karamazov did not look happy. Officially, he was not suppose to act, but he definitely needed to do something to help these people.

A Composite Wing of Su-34's and their Su-47 escorts took off from the deck of the YMS Aurora. All ships were given the Red Alert. Yanitaria had entered the war.

[Dolphinea Palace]

Hyit e-mailed the declaration of war through all the computers in the Palace and to the media.* The other politicians would get the message, leave now. Hyit then opened a small section behind a large pictue, it was about 4 feet high and Hyit ducked in as did the aide and two security guards. On the way out, Hyit and the aide grabbed MP7A1’s. The tunnels lead into an underground bunker that had tunnels that traced all though the island to the beaches and even beyond.

In the secret bunker, Hyit and the other Echoese politicians had a conference on what to do next.

“We could have the navy siege the island, and take it back.” Said Luke Smit, sectary of defense.

“No, they might find us by then, and what if the Akimonadi do something…drastic?” Said the Sectary of State Gregor Mendel.

“Listen,” said Hyit, “the easiest way to get out of here safely is by stealth submarine. I have intelligence that says the Akimonadi are almost pushed out of the city. Therefore, it is the safest place, considering the Aki’s want to kill us.”

“I agree.” Said several politicians at once.

And it was so. At 11:15 am that day, 2 Virginia class submarine slipped silently out of Dolphinea island via an underground base.

[Augusta Nova]

The F-23 pilots did not even bother to reply to the ground request. They simply complied by dropping 1000 pound JDAM bombs on the Akimonadi Line. This would devastate them initially, then the CJ-13B Combat Monsters would fly in and continue firing at the Akimonadi armor.

[Xavier AFB]

Meanwhile, there were 20 A-10 ‘Warthogs’ dispatched to the to the situation in Augusta Nova, they would ensure the destruction of the Akimonadi line.

*Despite socialism, the media remained privately owned as the constitution of the nation ensures that the media is independent of the state.

Augusta Nova

Men fell onto the ground as the bombs fell. There were not many of them, but enough to do damage. Two humvees and a Bradley IFV were shot up into the air in one of the blasts. They fell hardly onto the ground, crushing themselves.

"Goddammit!" said the captain in overall command of the force. "Get MANPADs out!"

Infantry men began putting missile launchers on the shoulders. Meanwhile, the Humvees that had SAMs and were undamaged began tracking the F-23s.

About 50 missiles were fired at the F-23s.

The men were beginning to lose their safety in numbers, and that was about to be seriously threatened with the CJ-13Bs. Just to be sure, the captain called in an airstrike and air superiority fighters from a close base.

After receiving recognition of his request, he ordered all the soldiers to hold the line and not progress into the city further.

Soldiers spread into nearby buildings and rubble, making themselves harder to hit from above.

Central Georgia Island AFB

On the tarmac, and now on the runways, were 20 B-1B bombers and 50 F-35s. They were currently being loaded for the air strike that had been called in on Augusta Nova. The F-35s were fitted with varieties of air-to-air missiles and the B-1Bs were each loaded with two "Father of All Bombs".

Within thirty minutes to an hour the planes were prepared and on the runways and taxiways.

In a few minutes, all the planes were airborne and headed over Neo Savannah. Given their distance from the base, approximately 500 statute miles, they would reach the city soon.

Akimonadi First Fleet, near Kiravian and Echoese Fleets

The admiral stood nervously over the shoulder of a radar operator. The console beeped, indicating that they were now within missile range.

The admiral nodded towards the comms console, and prearranged orders were sent out.

Storkes carrying anti-ship missiles were launched from the carriers. On the decks of the superdreadnaughts, klaxons sounded and seamen began scurrying about, readying things. The massive guns on the Davidsons turned towards both enemy fleets, in a sort of confused arrangement.

Missiles were readied on all ships, and the submarines below scurried about, opening their torpedo tubes in the midst of the noise. They began moving quietly towards the enemy fleets.

"It will rain metal today." the admiral said with authority. "Fire."

Missiles shot out of VLS cells and armored box launchers with streams of smoke and flame. The Storkes above let fly their anti-ship missiles and prepared for self-defense.

A total of 1000 missiles were fired, 500 at each fleet.

The admiral picked up a microphone and spoke on all open channels.

"You were asked politely to leave. You no longer have a choice. Leave now or face certain destruction."

Akimonadi Second Fleet, near Pictish Fleet

On the deck of the Hiryu-class Fleet Carrier, Storkes and P-3s were being readied with anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.

The planes were launched and they began patrolling above the Second Fleet.

A final call was sent to the Pictish fleet by the captain of the fleet.

"You are ordered to turn back immediately, or you will be fired upon."

As a cautious measure, the CIWS systems of the ships were activated.

OOC: Check OOC Thread shortly

Augusta Nova, Georgia Island, CFEI

Vaan immediately registered the panicked Akimonadi troops ready all anti-aircraft equipment available to them, and target the Utopian jets. He grabbed the archaic radio once again and did not hesitate on the order,

"All units, listen-up. Those angels in the sky are our saviors, and we're not gunna sit back and let their wings be clipped! All MG crews, suppressing fire immediately- Infantry, hold the line- RPG units target those goddamn SAM machines- Snipers, take down their anti-air infantry, now!"

Skies over Augusta Nova

The B-1Bs were flying with their escorts through the dark sky. As they reached Augusta Nova, coded messages were sent out to help mask their intent.

The formation broke off, traveling towards preselected drop points. The F-35s kept a close eye for any bogeys.

As the B-1Bs reached their targets, the opened their bomb bays and dropped their FOABs on the helpless city below. Forty FOABs were now speeding to the ground below and to their ultimate destruction. Damage would be catastrophic; the strength of a nuclear bomb but without the unpleasant radiation.

Augusta Nova:

Although they had not arrived in time to stop the bombs from being dropped, the Su-47's immediately opened fire on the B1-B's.

AAMs streaked off, as Su-37's dropped their bombs and fired their rockets at Akimonadi forces.

"Decent weaponry? That can be arranged, but you need to give us some assurance before, we wouldnt like to give our 'gifts' to anyone who happened to walk by our embassy now, would we?"

"What kind of assurance?" Luain asked slyly.

[Augusta Nova]
The F-23 pilot’s broke formation into unseen æronautical maneuvers. With the combination of stealth and skill saved almost all the planes, only 12 were lost to 50 missiles, the other 38 regrouped and climbed in altitude, as they had deployed all their ground ordinances; they now aimed for air superiority over the city.

Though two fell to fire, the CJ-19B’s were pummeling the enemy line with hot lead and 20 and 40mm rounds. As if the Akimonadi were as some resilient bacteria that would not die with the strongest medication and one needed some fantastic way antibiotics to make them disappear, the A-10’s progressed slowly inward, encroaching on the city at sub-sonic speeds. Their wings were heavy with bombs and missiles, ready to kill as if hippos and jaguars, respectively, their Vulcan Gatling cannons ready to devour tank armor as if they were sharks ready to consume a school of small fish, and there was no use for prisoners.

[Xavier AFB]

Corporal James Hamm watched the radar screen, moments ago he had called “Bogies, appear to be Akimonadi craft headed for the New S.” and now he knew, he was watching the first part of the war unfold, right there, smudges of light green on dark green, ready to kill millions, more or less just to kill millions. There was a certain stillness in the air, tick, went something infinitely distant, but incredibly close, tick, it went again, metal on metal, grinding, moving, what could it be though Hamm, it began to drive him crazy, the tick consumed his mind, even as the windows rattled as F-22’s went up in quintuple lines, their engines thunderous but not as bright as one would expect; tick. There it went again, thought Hamm, suddenly, he just walked out and left, he strolled to the base housing, no one asked him any questions, he walked home in the predawn darkness, and entered his base housing where his wife and newborn lived, his wife was there, the smell of bacon lofted through the home, Hamm leaned in to kiss his wife, as their lips drew nearer, Hamm suddenly was back in what was reality and not a dream, and there he lay, face down on the green radar screen, dead, with a burst blood vessel in his brain, from a cause that would never be determined, but was certainly natrual, and he was put away as a causality of war.

Time was no matter in war, the Akimonadi had pulled this raid just before the dawn began to peak over the horizon, before the black sky began to show signs of graying, and the stars still shown, but since Luna had long disappeared behind Terra, one could since the dawn was near, though it showed no evidence besides the absent moon.

Jet fuel has the strangest essence to it as it burns, an aroma unlike any other, and it seems to waft, but is so pungent it fills the air where ever it may be. The blinking and glowing lights of the AFB at night filled the atmosphere with a luminous aurora that cast a feeling of alertness over everything, viewed without sound, the sight of the 500 planes taking off, 300 F-22’s, 100 F-23’s, 100 MiG-31s’, was a spectacle, but there was sound. So much sound, everyone in the base stirred, knowing well what was happening, those with families on base were comforted by the parents, whom made empty promises without knowing what validity they held, saying that they would be safe in the base.

Illuminated by large lights, a flag of old (http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/The_Far_Echo_Islands/cfeiflag8.png) flew over the base by order of the general. The general felt that the newer incarnations of the flag strayed from the ideals of the confederacy, and that the government had begun to change, he felt that this flag was the truest and tested. It had flown during the revolution of the 1980’s until the mid ‘90’s.

Once the 500 fighters were in the air, they took in chase after the Akimonadi, the MiG-31’s fired 400 AA-9 (4 per plane) missiles all focused a the bomber force, and similarly, the F-22’s and F-23’s fired 2400 BVRAAM’s (6 per plane) with 2000 focused on the bombers and 400 on the fighters. After this, the planes continued to move toward the groups and readied their closer range missiles.

[ps: New S is slang for Neo Savannah]

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Open Declaration

This charade has gone on too long. The Autocratic Commonwealth is capable of flattening the islands, and we are now poised to do so. However, we are merciful. Should the Echoese forces surrender unconditionally, and any forces assisting depart peacefully, then the Echo Islands shall be spared.

That or we can destroy the Echo Islands and anything dear that its people might hold.

The deadline to answer is two [RL] days.

~Dr. Jules Hodz
First Minister

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Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Commonwealth of Akimonad:
The Greater Imperium alone could annihilate Akimonad in the blink of an eye, and you have just made your penultimate mistake, my friend. Your final error will be to refuse the following, generous offer. Leave The Far Echo Islands immediately, with no intention of returning, and your homeland shall be spared. Refuse, and not only will Akimonad feel the wrath of the Imperium, it shall quake underneath the strength of the entire UC. We have tried diplomacy, we have attempted peace with commercial incentives, we have sent a reasonable force to highlight our sincerity, and now you challenge our rationale with fire? Burn Echoia, and Akimonad will be but glass when we are through with you, environment or not. Be wise, do not succumb to aggression, to an ephemeral pride, and accept our generous offer of peace for both sides, of Echoese sovereignty.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Gaius.jpg
Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

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Open Declaration

Your confused and misplaced pride in your puny nation is amusing. I may have to write you down on our list of targets.

Nevertheless, your threats are empty, and Pictavia's own forces are well outnumbered by our own. As for the UC, we do not fear or concern ourselves with that collection of inept clowns.

If you still wish to fight, your destruction can be arranged.

~Dr. Jules Hodz
First Minister

**********
Upson Command Centre

The Command Centre was a flurry of activity. People were running about, handing papers around in an endless cycle.

At one of the telemetry and communication consoles, a man tore off a sheet of paper that had printed. He walked briskly over to a man sitting at a desk in the center of the Command Centre who was for the most part spectating. He handed the man the paper.

The man put on a pair of reading glasses and read the paper.

"Very well," he said when he finished. "It seems the Pictish have refused peace. They shall seal their own fate."

He sighed slightly. "However, their talk of our 'final mistake' is unsettling. Order all anti-ballistic missile posts on alert."

The man quietly examined a map. "Also, reinforce the garrison in Top City with an additional thirty thousand or so troops."

The man who had delivered the paper walked back to his console, typing and sending the orders.

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Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Commonwealth of Akimonad:
Outnumber us? Are you that Naive? The Imperium including her sovereign provinces and protectorates reaches a population of some fifteen-billion souls all sharing the Imperium's paramount standard of armed forces. My friend your ultimate mistake has been made, and lest you repent, prepare for your annihilation.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Gaius.jpg
Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

*****

High Commander Maccan of the Imperial Armed Forces stood in the CIC of an uknown location, surrounded by computer terminals and large viewscreens. His gaze was fixed on one in particular, depicting an image of The Far Echo Islands. A younger man approached, and handed Maccan a piece of paper much like his Akimonadi counterpart had.

"They still have substantial military assets in Echoia, any sort of Nuclear strike would be literal suicide for Akimonad at the moment. If they are going to hit anything, It'll be us"

Maccan absorbed the man's words, and scratched his moustache with two fingers before speaking in an old, tired and grave voice,

"This is a definate genocidal threat that we must respond to accordingly; prepare to hit them first. Raise to condition one throughout the Imperium, and ready the machines"

All across the lands of Caledonia, Hibernia, Atlas, Iberia and the eight Imperial provinces of Anagonia, Pictish missile silos groaned as their heavy doors slid aside for the first time in many years. Red lights flared in every military base across the Imperium, with personnel darting to and fro. In the Fire Control of each base, commanders plotted their strategies and Akimonadi targets and resurrected the uplink to the extraterrestrial Pictish Defence Network.

Out of Terra's atmosphere but within her grasp, hundreds of satellites blinked once more in the dead of space, whirring back to life. Mechanical eye upon eye soon focussed on the Akimonadi personnel preparing their defence, while the large wings of the weapon stations extended into the black to capture Sol's warmth.

The final defensive measure were the Starfire missile batteries across Imperial Lands, which immediately locked and began tracking all Akimonadi assets overhead. The Imperium's enemies were perched on the brink of destruction should they make the wrong move.

A bunker in Akimonad

Dr. Hodz looked at the pictures which had just been downloaded from satellites.

"See? You should have boarded me up here now rather than so early. You guys are paranoid." he said to the military brass around him.

"At any rate," said one of the men, a general, "there is great danger now. It looks as though they intend to nuke us."

"That would be their last mistake." Dr. Hodz said with finality. "Prepare our defense."

**********
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Open Declaration

To Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Rogue State of Pictavia,

My good man, what foolishness has befallen you? You do know that, if you launched nuclear weapons at us, both UFAN and the QC would retaliate?

I am curious as to why you intend to nuke us. Clearly you don't think we intend to nuke TFEI, as we would not irradiate precious land.

I shall grant you a final chance, as you have played the wrong card: Surrender, for the sake of your self-preservation. Stop waging a needless war against those who wish to be fair to the Echoese, provided you stop your aggression.

~Dr. Jules Hodz,
First Minister

**********
Space

In the space above Akimonad, anti-ballistic satellites were activated and put on alert. They constantly scanned for any threat in the case that they may need to direct a response.

Anti-ballistic missile silos across Akimonad

All across Akimnad, anti-ballistic missile sites were put on highest alert. The silos remained closed, though, to avoid confusion on a potentially international scale. Akimonad had elevated to the highest possible defense level

Official USSW, UFAN Statement
With all due respect to the sovereignty of our Akimonadi allies, and to all other parties involved, this madness has gone on long enough. The United Federation of Allied Nations has made it clear that although we will maintain a neutral opinion regarding member nations' imperial ventures, this only applies so long as said ventures are conducted in accordance with our Charter, the Theeb Accords, and standing precedent regarding those in the absence of written stipulation. But through the text of your original ultimatum, Dr. Hodz, you alas have by implication rasied fears of potential action in violation of Article III and its' amendments on your part, namely the potential use of strategic armaments indiscriminately against the Echoese population. We are glad you do not intend this, and shall accept your statement to that effect with full faith and credit as is only due; but our concern has been aroused all the same. We were negligent about making our concerns known during the Londinian-Calaveran War, and we shall not be so again. This situation simply cannot be allowed to deteriorate further whatever action the Federation were to take.

More to that point, Consul Kadesh, do not think that our fairness constitutes indulgence; it would be the culmination of what we can only call an irresponsible policy by the Pictish Imperium thus far. We have refrained from intervention on the Akimonadi side only due to the fact that this was an imperial entanglement of theirs, and thus within their sovereign sphere. Escalate this conflict to the strategic level, and I can say that Doctor Hodz’s statements on this matter are quite correct; whatever the effect of Akimonadi actions on their standing among us, before such could be addressed we would likely indeed have to come to their defense. Ourselves, and the Questarian Commonwealth as well still more likely; to which the might and wealth of the Utopian Commonwealth simply cannot compare. There is no need for any of us to court doom in this matter, which is what Pictavia would be doing if it embarked upon strategic escalation as it seems prepared to. I offer our mediation services in this matter, so that we do not rush blindly off the precipice to Armageddon for ourselves. There are any number of Federation members whom I'm sure would gladly host a conference to end this war, and address the national aspirations of the Echoese versus Akimonadi interests in a manner all could mutually agree upon.

We are approaching the end of the Akimonadi deadline, so I urge celerity in response to this call for sanity upon the part of all involved. Consul Kadesh, Arbiter Hyit, stand down from hostilities and provocations against Doctor Hodz and his forces so that peace can be arranged without further tragedy. The burden of first cessation alas falls upon you, after which we can allow positions as they stand to remain prior to more-permanent arrangements being worked out as possible; but if taken up so would the honor of having seen sense first as well. A thing greatly to be considered, for a reputation for compromise within honor can only bring glory to the Utopian Commonwealth; yes?

Sincerely,
Christine Friedrich
Deputy Commander-in-Chief, USSW War Office
Deputy Party Secretary, Wagdian Revolutionary Party
Deputy General Secretary, Wagdian Revolutionary Command Council
Secretary-General, United Federation of Allied Nations

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Imperial Communiqué

Open Declaration:

"The Autocratic Commonwealth is capable of flattening the islands...we can destroy the Echo Islands and anything dear that its people might hold" ~Dr. Jules Hodz, First Minister of The Autocratic Commonwealth of Akimonad.

If this was not threatening the UC with the deployment of weapons of mass destruction, then I shall take the liberty of labelling this Akimonadi communiqué an unprecedented failure in international relations. Nevertheless, any rash action undertaken on the Akimonadi part will be met with the most ferocious assault from ourselves, regardless of UFAN or the QC. The so called 'flattening' of an ally who's plight for self-determination is wholeheartedly justifiable and recognized by UFAN itself, will not go ignored to by the Imperium. Thus, I must accuse the Akimonadi of unforgivable failure in the arena of international diplomacy. Our assets will remain at condition one until the Akimonadi retract their threat and deadline, and make their intentions known.

Regardless, any Akimonadi attempts to wage a genocidal campaign against the Echoese people will be returned to Akimonadi soil. Alas, the fate of our nations lies in the hands of a fool; Dr. Hodz.

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Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

[Damn! I'm not on my normal comp, so I can't get my cool letterhead]

The Kiravian Empire urges our allies in Pictavia to hold back their nuclear threats. If a nuclear war begins, it threatens the security of all nations involved, not just those with warheads aimed at them. Can we not simply free the Echoese in honourable combat, where a man can see his opponent and have a reasonable chance of defending himself?

As to the Akimonadi request for a surrender, Supreme General Woodland responds:

"Nuts"

Kampfers Stadt, Kampfers
Kampferian High Command.

General Klischten sat in the breifing room with Fuhrer Rchtoff and the other Cheifs of Staff. For the past few hours, a debate had raged over the proposed courses of action with the escalation of the Echoese rebellion. Some felt that as Kampfers no longer had ties to Akimonad, they should just let it be. However, one sticking point convinced many that action was neccessary. The threat of nuclear warfare was not well recieved in Kampfers. Hits in Akimonad and the colony of Techneti could easily leave fallout radiation over and inside Kampfers. This was something that the leaders definitely did not want. It was a tough decision, but one that had to be made. As such, the leaders fell silent when they noticed Richtoff thinking. After a few moments, he announced his decision. "Alright, here's what we're going to do. Take us to DEFCON 2. I want to have open channels to any soldier anywhere right the fuck now. On that note, notify the Strategic Weapons Defense Authority to take us to SWDA 1. I want our entire land based arsenal pointing at Pictavia. In all likeliehood we would never fire this all, but I want to send a message. Begin to reposition elements of the Kampferian Orbital ABM systems over Akimonad. I don't want our potential effectiveness of the defense of Kampfers to dip under 90%, but I want to help out the Akimondi's as much as possible."

With that, the Fuhrer saluted, stated the motto of Kampfers, and left the room. He went into his office and tapped aout a concise message, but one that would get the point across all the same.

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[TO] Nations involved in the Echoese Affair, especially Pictavia
[FROM] The Neo-Prussian Parliamentary Dictatorship of Kampfers

I would highly recommend that the nation of Nova Pictavia rethink its intent to use nuclear weapons. Should such weapons be used, they will have negative effects for all members of Continentia, and Kampfers will not stand for this. A this moment, our arsenal stands ready. If it is a detterent, then good, we have succeded and saved many lives. If not, well, then rest assured your death is immenent. I do not speak for the Questarian Commonwealth, who has yet to comment, but I doubt they will be happy as well.

Sincerely,
Fuhrer Richtoff

OOC: I could make this longer, but i'm tired, and it's 3 in the morning, and i have a big party to go to tommorow night. as such, i leave you with this.

[Neo Savannah]

The old flags were flying over the city now, standing for the Confederacy getting back to its base values and ideals. Hyit had set up a large stage on New Daytona Beach and he was set to deliver a rallying speech today for his people. The day was clear, an awkward silence was settling over the city. There seemed no fighting this morn, the day showed only signs of war by the burning buildings and smoky plumes wafting in the pre-winter sky. The day seemed warmer than most in December, and everyone seemed some what content if only to honor the day’s beauty. A pod of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins played a mile and a half offshore. Hyit strode up on the stage, behind a pane of bulletproof glass, not in a fine suit, as most diplomats would have but he wore the traditional garb of his tribe. He stepped up to the microphone.

“Today, the Akimonadi have asked for our surrender. Today, there have been threats of thermonuclear war by the Picts and the Akimonadi. Today, the Akimonadi have shown that they are aware of what we all already know. And that is: ‘We can win this WAR! We can be free from their rule, we can once again be free from any empire, from any other ruler than our own democracy, and we can. And, we WILL.’ To my brothers, sisters, all Echoese, we will fight, we will be free.”

After the speech, Hyit went into a bunker and wrote a response to the Akimonadi.

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Official Government Reply

On the Akimonadi on the order of our surrender, we have conducted a through review of the statistics, tactics, and possibilities, and we have come to the conclusion that you are, as the Kiravians have previously stated, “Nuts.”

Signed,
Delpin Hyit
Arbiter of the Confederacy

-snip-

You would call me a fool, but perhaps you should examine yourself first. Those remarks are, quite frankly, statements of fact. It is well within the Autocratic Commonwealth's power to swamp the Echo Islands with enough military forces to drown out the population and any rebellion.

Thus, I must accuse you of failing to differentiate fact from opinion or threat.

As for our surrender request, and the rejections thereof, we shall keep our promises. The rebellion shall be drowned out by numbers. You cannot stop us.

~Dr. Jules Hodz,
First Minister

Pictavia, Location Unknown

"Shield the missiles, we're at condition two. All personnel, continue watching our friends, and prepare to drop to condition three"

Maccan replaced the radio onto the desk in front of him, and stood silently for a few moments. It had been a close call, but he feared the crisis would not wrap itself up so neatly: the Akimonadi may still revert to extreme tactics should they lose the conflict in Echoia. He then turned to his XO,

"Keep the Starfire batteries on high alert, and track everything that moves over our heads. I want all extraterrestrial assets monitoring anything that moves in Akimonadi territory"

The XO merely nodded and began to walk to another corner of the CIC, leaving Maccan to his thoughts. Before he reached his destination, the Commander straightened up and turned to him,

"Prepare all available ships for immediate transportation, and flag the Air Force of our plans"

*****

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Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Commonwealth of Akimonad:
The Akimonadi obviously require a lesson in fact, as a direct ultimatum vaguely distinguishable from that of a WMD threat is far from any sort of 'fact'. Such a lesson will be delivered after the one you will be taught on the battlefield. I look forward to meeting you there, Dr. Hodz.

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Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

Undisclosed Underground Location, Western Mts., Kirav

In the dimly lit corridor outside, the grey-green uniformed personnel ran this way and that, preparing the missile defence system. It was an integrated system of weapons emplacements in Kirav's western homeland, that was remarkably effective when people were expecting a missile, but utterly hapless when not.

General Ithyn Echosiv sat at a steel table with his officers, going over air support plans to librate the Echo Islands, when an enlisted man rushed in with a few sheets of carbon paper.

"Sir, the situation beween the Pictish and the Akimonadi is escalating."

Taking the report, Echosiv read through a few pages of Coscivian ideograms, and said, "This isn't good in the least. We can't fight a war against Akimonad on two fronts."

"Or can we?" asked Subcommander Tealforest, a tactician, "Our populations are roughly equal."

"But they have Questers. And UFAN. We've got no allies even half as powerful as that. Questers could singlehandedly take on the entire CN and UC without making a dent in its defence budget."

"Damn. I guess our only hope is to beat them in Echonia."

"Aye. And to keep the MDS up and running and hope that no one's nukes are aimed at Saar-Westcoast."

Akimonad

"Sir, the Pictish have closed their silo doors." an XO said to Dr. Hodz.

Hodz sighed. "Ah... it very well could be a trick. They didn't say anything about backing down." He was silent for a moment. "Open our silos, and let us dance."

Upson Command Centre

The command centre was a flurry of activity. People were running around carrying various items. At the commander's desk, a stack of paper orders was continually growing.

The commander stood up, and cleared his throat. Any activity temporarily halted.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as of seven hundred hours, all forces in the Echo Islands have been ordered to mobilize. The rebellion will be drowned out with our numbers. Send the orders: all men are to move out and conquer the country."

Within minutes orders were sent.

Throughout the Echo Islands, thousands and thousands of soldiers picked up weapons and began occupying the islands. Tanks drove into every major city, and aerial patrols increased.

Feanon Naval Base

Numerous warships lay silent in the harbor. On the docks, marines marched onto the ships, preparing for an inevitable assault.

**********
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Open Declaration

I look forward to teaching you why you should not interfere with the Autocratic Commonwealth.

I have not yet begun to fight.

~Dr. Jules Hodz

Pictavia

Maccan viewed the Akimonadi opening their silo doors with an expression of total disgust, then ordered his XO through gritted teeth. The satellite images were not of the highest quality, but it was undeniable that the Akimonadi were preparing to fire.

"Bring me an uplink to our Zeus network, and divert a bare minimum of observational satellites to the Akimonadi launch sites. I want someone manning the uplink to each and every Aries and Cyclops ABM satellite we have at all times, and target all Starfire batteries at Akimonadi extraterrestrial assets"

"So much for dropping to condition three, Sir"

"Aye, so much for that. Leave us at two, and keep the silo doors closed for now"

*****

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Imperial Communiqué

To The Autocratic Commonwealth of Akimonad:
Be advised that any aggressive movements within your nuclear arsenal will be interpreted as preparation for a strike, and will be returned by the Imperium. Should Akimonadi missiles fail to be recalled, measures will be taken to ensure they cannot be deployed.

However, shield your warheads, and there will be no exchange of fire on our soil.

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Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

Official Declaration:

The Empire implores both sides to ease this nonsense. This show of power will not achieve what either side wants. The islands will remain occupied even if the AFEA is attacked nuclearly. The Kiravian Empire and Yanitaria will continue to fight the Akimonadi even if Pictavia is bombed. The only result will be the needless deaths of millions of civillians.

Official Message from the Parliament of the USSY

Unfortunately, the USSY must recall all warships at this point in time, to aide in domestic peace. We apologize to the Far Echo Islands, and to the Utopian Commonwealth.

Secret IC to Nova Pictavia and TFEI:

We request permission for three AT-200 Mouette amphibious aircraft to rendezvous with the Pictish Fleet, until such time as our special forces may insert into friendly territory.

We ask for the utmost discretion from the Pictish Imperium, and ask that they allow our planes to refuel and resupply. Of course the USSY will reimburse the Imperium.

Vive la revolution!

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Imperial Communiqué

Encrypted Reply to The USSY:
The Imperial Fleet will cooperate fully with your forces.

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Regards,
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Gaius Kadesh, Consul of the Pictish Imperium
High Commander of the Pictish Armed Forces
Warlord of the Utopian Crusades

*cough* light godmoding but this rp needs a kick in the rear to get going again *cough*

[Neo Savannah]

Neo Savannah was more or less officially secured, any Akimonadi, surrendering or not, had been shot and killed by the rebel forces, and no Akimonadi flag remained in Neo Savannah, the Echoese flag flew proudly above the city, flapping in the wind, it was beautiful, and inspiring.

The freedom fighters now had a base, a secure place to plan and get ready for further action.

[Augusta Nova]

A-10’s flew in, and dropped 100 JDAMs onto the Akimonadi line. They then fired 200 AGM-65s onto the line as well. Then, they came back around and each emptied their Avenger Gatling guns into the Akimonadi line as well.

In the midst of this, the Echoese National Guard in the city had mobilized and began handing weapons out to civilians. They were armed with Vrykolakas (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=541907) assault rifles and machine guns. They also set up Mk 19 40mm grenade launchers and lots of sand bags. There were also several hundred people with RPG-7’s in the mix, they formed a defensive line parallel to the Akimonadi one and would wait until after the ærial bombardment was over to fire.

"Echonian ships approaching, and fast. Akimonadi ships as well.", announced the NCO on duty.

"Are all weapons at the ready?" asked Admiral Rainsford.

"Aye, sir."

Fleet Captain Scotchforest suggested, "Sir, we should move troop transports 5-10 and the cargo and ammo carriers further away, into a different convoy, so that they can get reinforcements, or possibly attempt a landing in another location."

"Make it so. Commander Highland, attend to final battle preparations."

The Turqouise Ensign, the symbol of Kirav's oceanfaring Empire, was hoisted alongside the Imperial Star above the INS Pelagic.

--
Kartika, Kirav

The Empire was not what it used to be. the Eastern Empire was more than happy to be rid of its rule, and KE influence in the Tropical Sea was waning. Even the Senate could not retain its former strength. To prevent the growth of political parties, Chancellor Coinsfield disbanded his own Senate. Without its prime legislative body, all power fell to the Emperor.

Krovenirene Castrum, the Imperial Palace, stood grand and majestic on the blistery winter morning. Emperor Raincedar stood upon a pedastal at its forefront. This was the time that the strentgh of the Kiravian civilocracy would be tested, where the government pathetically dependant upon the faith of its politicians would either survive, or crumble into misery.

"People of the Empire," he said, "As you know, Chancellor Coinsfield has suspended convention of the Senate until the Echoese Liberation and the Eastern Empire have been dealt with. And thus, by the Articulav áu Civilocracia, set down by the first United Kingdoms of Kirav, the highest powers of this government are now bestowed upon me.

It is in this time of war that our civilization will be tested. Weather we will remain true to the ideals of the Founders that gave everything to secure a society free of the plagues of their own, or weather we will succumb to dishonour and thus seal our fate. And I swear to God, with the most deadly solemnity, that I will not let that happen!"

The crowd cheered.

He continued, "I will not become a dictator. I swear to remain true to the virtues of Just Government. I shall not govern for my own good, I shall govern for yours! For the good of Kiravia! THis will be no militocracy, this will be no opressive regime. When these wars are won, I will order. Yes, Order, the Senate to resume. And, Kiravians, I will do it at the first possible monment, lest I be struck dead."

Power was a bad thing to have much of. While it was hard to tell in the complex political system of Kiravia, most scholars believed that the Emperor had the most power. And now, with the ability to declare war, levy taxes, govern directly over certain colonies, exact tribute from conquerates and the Commonwealth, with no one to check his power, the public was going to have to trust Raincedar. He was all they had to go on.

”War… nuclear exchange… millions dead…” words making their way in the speeches of various analysts and in the headlines of the papers. The journalists were carefully following the Echoese crisis and the moment nuclear weaponry was mentioned it was clear to everybody that things were getting a bit out of hand.

The position of The Principality in this affair was not an easy one as the nation had ties with both Akimonad and with Kirav being bound by various international treaties to offer assistance that would bring the cautioning of the crisis, one way or another. So far involvement was avoided by the officials, but with the mounting tensions and the threats being thrown around by both sides this was increasingly starting to be less of an option. Even though Nova Pictavia had retreated its nuclear threats, the possibility for a nuclear exchange still existed, a fact that the Damirans wanted to avoid at all cost. As a result, a heated conversation was taking place in the parliament regarding the involvement of the country in the affair.

”As my esteemed colleague mentioned, this affair is one that we cannot ignore much longer. The number of bodies is increasing and there’s no gain in the loss of human life. As such I say we must interfere as soon as possible,” a passionate representative spoke to the gathering. It was clear that most in the chamber agreed with him, but as it is always the case, doubts and questions existed about how the country was to involve itself in this crisis.

”I do believe that interference is required as well,” another representative picked up the role as a speaker, ”We are after all in a position that allows us to intermediate to resolution to this conflict having ties that are very useful in this problem. But we have to wonder about the approach we will take to this state of affairs, given the fact that despite our sympathies for the conquered, the Akimonad government is, as according to the charters and treaties linking our countries together, as the offended party here.”

The reasoning of the delegate was correct and they all knew it. To add to that, the Principality had some previous dealings with Akimonad and the nation proved itself to be a good partner in the enterprise. It went without saying that Damirez wanted to maintain the good relations between the two countries, and to further improve them. To add to the dilemma there were numerous eyebrows raised about the modus operandi of the Pictavians in previous affairs which did little to clear things up for The Principality. But, in the matter at hand, the fact that the Kiravian Empire, a regional friend and ally was involved in the conflict was not changed by this and the country also wanted to maintain good relations with this nation.

”The only available option for us at this point,” one of the advisers said, finally tackling the bull by the horns, ”Is for us to attempt a reconciliation between the two parties. It will be a difficult process, but I believe that it is our duty to attempt it and stop the bloodshed.”

Late that day, the parliament voted in favor of the proposal forwarded by the advisor and Damiran diplomats were dispatched to the conflict area. It was risky, it was perhaps a bit crazy, but all in all it was a Damiran thing to do.

From: Liviu Librescu, President of The Principality of Damirez
To: Belligerent parties involved in the Echoese conflict.
Subject: Invitation to peace.

Our nation watched with increasing distressed the escalation of the conflict in The Far Echo Islands. Given our international commitments and the fact that this conflict could have been avoided through negotiation, we believe that a resolution to this war is needed.

Diplomats of the Principality have been dispatched as to complete that goal and we invite representatives from the nations involved to attend a peace conference organized on neutral grounds.

Signed,
Liviu Librescu.

“…yes, they’ll remain on level one alert, once the ship arrives there they’ll have to make sure things go smoothly and that there’s no interference to the peace talks.”

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Kiravian Empire

Permissum Astrum Subleuco

Imperial Secriat of State

War Diplomacy Department

The Empire thanks the Damirans for their efforts towards diplomacy. We are well-inclined to engage in any negotiations you have in mind. Where shall the discussion take place?

Official USSW Statement
Indeed, President Librescu, this diplomatic sally of yours is most welcome and we pledge to support it however we can; particularly since we ourselves have been trying to pull the sides back from the brink of catastrophe with alas only marginal success. Peace is by far preferable to having one's hand forced into a war they do not wish to be involved in, least of all when such has already endangered broader ties knit only after much effort and compromise. Effort and compromise my nation I did not undertake lightly, and therefore will preserve as best as we are able.

We would be happy to accept wherever is needed for these efforts to take place, and we will send the highest-ranking representatives we have available. There is yet time, and the main belligerents here have shown the needed restraint; much is yet possible I do believe.

Sincerely in Hope,
Christine Friedrich
Deputy Commander-in-Chief, USSW War Office
Deputy Party Secretary, Wagdian Revolutionary Party
Deputy General Secretary, USSW Revolutionary Command Council
Secretary-General, United Federation of Allied Nations.

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Official Communique

The Autocratic Commonwealth will dispatch an ambassador to these diplomatic talks.

~Dr. Jules Hodz

From: Andrew Wallenstein, Foreign Affairs Councillor of The Principality
To: Belligerent parties involved in the Echoese conflict.
Subject: Conference details.

As you are receiving this message, the Nova Maria, a carrier of The Principality will be arriving in the belligerence zone. The ship will act as the meeting place for various delegates and we hope that it will represent, despite its military goals, a symbol for peace amongst those involved.

To prove our good intentions, the Nova Maria will be unescorted and without its token aerial contingent making it from a military point of view irrelevant as a weapon. We hope that this gesture is received well and that in its spirit there will be no aggression against it.

We thank the nations of Kirav and Akimonad for the swiftness with which they accepted out call to peace and we invite the other countries to confirm their presence. We would also like to thank the nation of Wagdog for the support it has offered.

Finally we urge one last time the nations involved and in particular those that have not yet confirmed their presence not to let this opportunity at piece to waste.

Best regards,
Andrew Wallenstein.

Damiran Aircraft Carrier Nova Maria

As the helicopter touched down on the deck of the Nova Maria, the rotors slowed with a whirring sound.

Frederick Bremer pushed open the door of the helicopter and stepped onto the deck of the carrier to see if anyone was here to meet him. He was flanked by two guards in black suits and sunglasses. The guards scanned the deck while Bremer looked for anyone of importance.

Nova Maria

A Kiravian helicopter's blades whirred as it lowered itself onto the Nova Maria's deck.

Lord Charles Blackpine and Legate Sendru Fallstream dropped down from the helicopter's side hatch, escorted by a single guard.

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Confederate States of the Echo Islands
Official Government Response

We will send a delegate to the peace conference, for the sake of it being a peace conference.

Signed,
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Arbiter of the Confederacy

A few hours later

An Echoese Government helicopter touched down gently onto the Nova Maria. The Echoese flag was emblazoned on the side. As the blades stopped, the pilot, who was serving as a guard, and the delegate Kovac Fuscum strode out on to the deck. He wore a midnight blue and white suit.

Lord Blackpine and the Legate waved to the Echoese delegate.

"Greetings, friends. We are glad that you've made it here safely. How successful do you think negotations will be?"

"I always have hope," began Fuscum began, "But unless the Akimonadi are ready to pack their bags and haul ass out of Echonia, we're just going to be in one giant argument."

"Aye. Hopefully this doesn't turn out to be like the Treaty of Sonomi. It was more like a lawsuit from the agressors to get money from the Allies. Assasination attempts and general lack of civility from the Ryou representatives aside."

As the Akimonadi helicopter landed, Andrew Wallenstein made his way to greet Frederick Bremer and welcome him to the ship.

"Greetings mister Bremer and welcome to the Nova Maria," the diplomat extended his hand to shake that of his guest. "Let's hope that this meeting will be productive for all those involved."

Moving away from the landing area, Andrew headed towards a woman and a couple of escorts. "Allow me to introduce admiral Fatima Al'Hamil," he said before heading again to greet the Kiravian and Echoen ambassadors leaving the admiral to entertain the guest.

"Welcome to the Nova Maria," came his polite words as the two delegates turned towards him.

"I certainly hope so as well. This conflict seems to be a simple misunderstanding. I hope that we can straighten it out." Bremer said in reply, shaking the man's hand.

"Let us proceed."

The Legate and Lord Blackfield greeted the Damiran and Akimonadi diplomats politely.

"We are elated that all have agreed to this conference. Hopefully, it will prove to be productive," quoth the Legate.

"So, gentlemen, how shall we proceed?" asked Lord Blackfield.

The Echoese delegate greeted the Akimonadi as politely as he could, and then greeted the Damirez delegate equally pleasantly.

"Well, I propose that we get an idea of each involved nation's ideal outcome of this confilct and look for comprimises from there. I will let the Akimonadi open the discussion." Said Kovac Fuscum calmly.

Due to the neutrality of Vetalian Oceania in the CEFI conflict, they did not send a delegate to the peace conference. Instead, a communique was sent that reaffirmed Vetalian claims to the territories granted to it during the Akimonadi occupation, but fully abstained from holding any position on any other matters related to the political situation in the CEFI.

In the event that serious arbitration was needed, the Vetalian government would be prepared to send a delegate within 24 hours.

The Legate, while waiting for the Akimonadi to begin, removed a few sheets of carbon paper from his briefcase, detailing the Kiravian "Omega Plan", an overview of what steps the Empire would take if this war ended perfectly.

Noticing the Kiravian's subtle preparation, the Echo Islander checked in his inner coat pocket to ensure the documents detailing the Peale Plan were at quick access. The Peale plan was the Echo Islander's 'perfect war' on paper.

Lord Blackfield in turn noticed their Echoese counterparts actions, and whispered to the Legate, "Go team!".

--

Meanwhilst, in Kartika, things went not well. The Senate still refused to convene, and a mass of 3,000 protestors were assembled outside Krovenirene Palace, attempting to force Emperor Raincedar to abdicate. Of course, like most neoliberalist ideals, this made little practical sense. Without an Emperor, and without a Senate, the Empire's power would fall to individual officials. Needless to say, that wouldn't end well.

"Let me begin by explaining a few things. We revoked dolphin rights to give them amnesty. As citizens or 'persons' they were liable for taxation. Unfortunately, they're not as sentient as we'd like, and are of course unable to pay. Dolphins have racked up about $2.76 billion in due taxes. Given the... improbability of collecting these taxes, we instead decided to cancel their citizenship or 'personhood' and free them of their obligations and responsibilities. Taking this point of view, it would seem as though the UC is fighting for taxes.

"At any rate, this wasn't revealed as it was considered generally irrelevant."

Bremer pulled out some papers.

"We have prepared a sort of framework for an agreement. The basics are thus:

1) Divide the islands between Akimonad and some other entity, be it a UC power of Echoese themselves.

2) Enforce a 3 mile wide demilitarized zone between the territories of Akimonad and whomever.

3) Cancel the useless Treaty of Sonomi. Any repercussions to this will be dealt with by Akimonad and will not involved the Echoese for their sake.

4) Enforce a nuclear-free zone in all areas of Echoia.

5) Initiate trilateral reconstruction of Augusta Nova.

6) The UC should become a defensive alliance, and also sign a nonaggression pact with Akimonad.

7) Infuse the Echoese economy with $20 billion from differing sources.

Well, what do you think? I should note that it took a lot of pressure to convince my superiors to consider splitting the islands."

The Akimonadi made the opening move placing an offer on the table. Now the UC had to reply to this offer. Wallenstein hoped that everything would go smoothly given the efforts made by the diplomatic corps of The Principality to get the Akimonadi at the table, but he was willing to make further efforts for this to end well.

"I'm certain that the representatives of the Utopian Commonwealth are analysing the offer at the moment but, to make things easier, we offer to contribute with the required twenty billion dollars in exchange for access of our corporations on the Echoese market.

We believe that our participation will help mend the rift between the two nations."

I must say, that may be quite reasonable, I will come back to critique it. But let me present the Peale plan:

1) All Akimonadi withdraw completely from the Echoese Territory

2) Akimonad stops their whaling program

3) Akimonad signs a non-aggression pact with the Echo Islands

On the Akimonadi plan

1) We may be able to accept this. We should work this out on a map before agreeing to it, so long as we are in control of the large majority of the land. Also, we will be willing to have a non-aggression pact if Akimonad is willing to not have a military presence of more than 2500 armed personnel in their territory.

2) Yes, if #1 can be negotiated.

3) Yes.

4) We can agree to a nuclear free zone only if our nuclear weapons are given to the Kiravian Empire or otherwise dismantled by Kiravian or Echoese personnel.

5) We can agree to reconstruction; but we wonder if it can be expanded to Neo Savannah as well.

6) The UC has never preformed an aggressive incursion into another sovereign. I cannot speak for the whole UC, but I can assure that a Non-Aggression pact with Akimonad would get a 'Yes' vote from the Echoese delegation.

7) We would humbly accept.

Finally, the attempt to tax the dolphins was foolish, as they make no income, therefore pay no taxes.

The Legate nodded as this exchange took place. He then presented the Omega Plan.

1. Akimonad ceases hostilities, and ends their whaling program.

2. Akimonad recognizes the sovereignty of the CFEI.

3. Non-Agression pact is signed between the UC and the AFEA.

4. CFEI government is re-enstated, backed by UC forces. Unstable areas of the Echo Islands become UC Trust Territories, to be returned to full Echoese control after reaching stability.

5. Portions of FEI territory can be retained by Akimonad, but must be returned to CFEI administration after a period of time.

6. Kiravian Empire uses the revenue from the Hectonesia Cession, and other funds to cover Echoese war debts and redevelop the Echoese economy.

"As for the Akimonadi and Peale plans, we find them to be mostly agreeable," added Lord Blackfield. He was happy that things had worked out so well.

"I should note that there is no way at present that Akimonad will be leaving the Far Echo Islands in full. Also, a detachment of 2500 troops is insufficient for the needs to protect the islands."

"We would also point out that, as we are on the defensive here, this invasion constitutes an offensive action by the UC. As for dolphin taxation, they are considered citizens, and thus obligated to pay taxes, duties, fees, etc. which they were unable to do."

"It would also be nice to include a third party in some way, in more than just reconstruction."

What do you consider sufficent. Non-aggression pact or no non-aggression pact, we don't want half the Akimonadi military a hop-skip and a jump from us at any given second.

And might I explain my logic behind why dolphins do not pay taxes:

With your 100% tax rate:

$0 income x 1.0 = $0.00 taxes

With a 10% tax rate:

$0 income x 0.1 = $0.00 taxes

And with situations such as that with preforming dolphins, who are officially employed, it works the same as with humans: the money is taken from the employer, not the individual, therefore the individuals never see their money before it is taxed. While dolphins may be sentient, they do not have the means to start their own business.

Akimonadi are invited to attend Echoese schools and universites, where we do teach the basics of economics, mathmatics and biology.

"At the moment there are approximately 300,000 men in Echoia. A sufficient amount would be between 150,000 and 300,000. There are some 30,000 men in Dolphinea alone right now. Putting only 2500 men would be an invitation to trouble."

"Also, you're considerably mistaken about dolphin taxation. They are supposed to be taxed just as human fishers. They are required to pay a yearly fee of $5000 in order to actually fish. Beyond that they are required to pay incremental percentage taxes of the market value of the each fish they catch everyday, based on species and size."

'All of this over taxes?' was the thought dominating Fatima's mind. She had heard about wars without any purpose, but this was the first time she heard about a war waged over fishing taxes.

In the meantime, after carefully examining the proposals and counter proposals of the parties involved,. Andrew came with his own proposal, arbitration was after all the key to a successful negotiation.

"Gentlemen," he started, his voice calm and firm, "It would seem that in order to reach a conclusion here we will need to compromise for a bit. I propose the following suggestions to be taken into account by the parties involved in addition to those they have already agreed upon."

1. The Principality of Damirez will overlook the divization process to insure fairness for all parties involved.

2. Limitations of 40% out of the total UC military presence for the Akimonad military in the area with a lower limit of 75k soldiers.

3. Creation of a demilitarized area between the new borders.

4. A pact of non-aggression is to be signed by all those involved.

5. The conflicting nations recognize the sovereignty of all those present, including the right to regulate one's own business.

6. Lease of a small island to The Principality in order to supervise the peace process and to insure that a neutral party maintains observation over the area.

"On the Dameriz plan, I can more or less agree with its terms. We will still have to decide who has what territory on a map, but otherwise, I believe my superiors would like this plan as a very good comprise."

"On the dolphin taxation, you did not fully comprehend our laws on that; the dolphins are considered autonomous tribes, such as those in the far north islands and in the southeast islands. Autonomous tribes do not have to pay taxes or fees to fish because they fish for subsistence."

Blackfield saw the entire Delphine taxation idea as complete insanity. While it was the sovereign right of the Akimonadi to revoke citizenship, declaring open season on Cetaceans was, although the word had been much overused of late, barbaric.

"One common point that we all have is that Echonia is to be partitioned in one way or another. We must decide what is to be under Echoese control, Akimonadi control, Damiran administration, and demilitarizated."

"On the dolphin taxation, you did not fully comprehend our laws on that; the dolphins are considered autonomous tribes, such as those in the far north islands and in the southeast islands. Autonomous tribes do not have to pay taxes or fees to fish because they fish for subsistence."

"Under Akimonadi law, the dolphins in Echoia were considered citizens. They are obligated to pay taxes. You cannot be a citizen and not get the responsibilities with it. If dolphins are to be treated preferentially, then they are not equal, which defeats the purpose of equal rights. If dolphins are treated preferentially, then they are being spoiled. Spoiled dolphins are animals, in the eyes of the empire. We released them from their citizenship, and thus responsibilities, because of that."

"Under Akimonadi law, the dolphins in Echoia were considered citizens. They are obligated to pay taxes. You cannot be a citizen and not get the responsibilities with it. If dolphins are to be treated preferentially, then they are not equal, which defeats the purpose of equal rights. If dolphins are treated preferentially, then they are being spoiled. Spoiled dolphins are animals, in the eyes of the empire. We released them from their citizenship, and thus responsibilities, because of that."

"Citizenship, aye. If that's how your laws work, then that's fine. But what of rights? If a population of foriegners set up residence in Akimonad, you wouldn't allow their slaughter merely because they weren't citizens. Would you?"

"Under Akimonadi law, the dolphins in Echoia were considered citizens. They are obligated to pay taxes. You cannot be a citizen and not get the responsibilities with it. If dolphins are to be treated preferentially, then they are not equal, which defeats the purpose of equal rights. If dolphins are treated preferentially, then they are being spoiled. Spoiled dolphins are animals, in the eyes of the empire. We released them from their citizenship, and thus responsibilities, because of that."

The Echo Islander let out a breath of frustration that sounded almost like a snort. "So what? You gona take away citizenship of the indigenous tribes as well? Are they too spoiled because they don't pay taxes?! The dolphins can be citizens and have the benefits of that because they don't perform the civic duties like voting, working and sustaining the economy and don't recieve things like welfare and such. This is why I have been opposed to the Akimonadi annexation from the very beginning! They have no empathy and are too closed minded to understand the traditions and culture of the Echo Islands! You're a bunch of tax obsessed commies with no souls!" The delegate had turned a bright chili pepper red. He took a few deep breaths. "Please forgive me for that outburst." He said calmly, "Now back to the negations. What is to become of the Akimonadi Whaling program?"

Bremer looked sternly at the Echoese delegate. "I do hope you realize that this is your only chance for peace. Do try not to screw it up."

"Now, as for the whaling program, nothing will happen. The practice is heavily regulated and all whalers must pay a fee which help recuperate the ecosystem. The practice is too profitable to the local economies to disband."

"Well, as long as the limits are enforced fully, than we will not contest this any more. However, on the matter of the Akimonadi possessions in the Echo Islands, should there be any after this conference, we have to ask that they do not go whaling or partake in any other from of hunting Cetacean life forms, while I don't mean to sound threatening, the gun laws are pretty relaxed here in the Confederacy, a lot of private sailors carry them, and lines in the water were never know to stop boats, bullets or tempers."

ooc: do you want me to start dividing up the map?

"Whaling has, and will always be, restricted to Akimonadi home waters. There is no travel for whaling vessels outside the home EEZ."

OOC: Not yet, Damirez can help with that.

Looking at the two arguing diplomats, Andrew could only let out a silent sigh, thankfully unnoticed by anyone. He really wanted for peace here to become a reality and that's why he started talking again.

"This is why we offered to supervise the peace process. We have no intention on limiting out involvement here just to the peace conference. We are aware that peace is a lengthy process after all.

Whilst it's obvious that there are differences in legislation which only serve to fuel the tensions here, we ask that each party is to respect the other's rights. In this case, the Echoese delegation must understand that it would have been unfair for the Akimonadi fishermen for the dolphins to be tax free, but in the same time for the Akimonad delegate to show flexibility in its stance regarding the amounts owed by the Dolphins.

Moving further from that, we offer to execute the partition of the territory."


OOC: I need:

a) The Map of the teritory.
b) From TFEI and Aki the map with the claims on it.
c) Recommendations for Damiran administrated areas. (On the map)

Given that I'll make a fair partition.

Blood Money, thought the Legate.

"Aye. Let's partition the map, then shall we? The Echoese must retain sovereignty over the Delpa State, where the capital city is. Surely we can all agree upon that at very least?"

ooc: Large map with cities (http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/The_Far_Echo_Islands/Maps/tfeimappoli2andmilitary.png)(black circles, capital is white circle) and publicly known military bases (white squares) and Vetalian Territory in red. As for the Damiran territory is the small island chain south of the center of Georgia Island. Note that the Akimonadi have a stronger presence in the west, whereas the majority of the fighting occured in the east.

"Whaling has, and will always be, restricted to Akimonadi home waters. There is no travel for whaling vessels outside the home EEZ."

OOC: Not yet, Damirez can help with that.

"This is good."

EDIT:Map of current state boundries (http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/The_Far_Echo_Islands/Maps/tfeimappolistate.png). (international boundries in red)

"As per the Echoese suggestions," Lord Blackfield added, "Here is a suggestion for the partition of the Echo Islands. We've omitted the Damiran mandate, as we feel that's between them and the CFEI."

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/Glyphick47/EchoDivisor.gif

"West of the yellow boundaries is the Akimonadi Echo Islands. East of the yellow boundaries is the Free Echo Islands. Betwixt them is the Demilitarized Zone."

"Our proposal is this. (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/fahooglewitz1077/Maps/TFEIClaim3.png)." Bremer said.

"Our proposal is this. (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/fahooglewitz1077/Maps/TFEIClaim3.png)." Bremer said.

"That's not as practical for you though. You'll get the areas with the most anti-Akimonadi attitudes, while simultaneously forsaking any military facilities that you've emplaced in the western areas."

OOC: Technically you shouldn't know about my command center in Upson because of its secret status. I'm not trying to get away with anything, though, and if I'm partitioned without Upson the command center will be moved.

[Oops.... :) Okay, I'll edit that out.]

ooc: either way, he'd know the rebellion in worst in the south east, and that proposal would find us back here in another month.

"My proposal is this (http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/The_Far_Echo_Islands/Maps/tfeimappoli2andmilitarydivided.png)." said the Confederate, laying out a map.

"I'm afraid I must disagree with the Kiravian and Echoese proposals. By no means should any faction get complete control of Neo Savannah, Dolphinea AND New St. Petersburg."

OOC: I don't really care about resistance, because I can handle it. And no, we won't be back here in another month.

"Neo-Savannah and New St. Petersburg are major economic and population centres. Removing these cities is essentially removing a great deal of their population, trade, manufacturing, and infrastructure. They must remain under Echoese control."

"And it should be noted that Dolphinea is only a population of about 1 million or so, it is an administrative center, not a major population center. And if we must go by population, St. Sebastian is a larger population than New St. Petersburg. I reccomend that Akimonad cut its losses in Neo Savannah. The bombings in the 4th Revolution by Akimonad created very anti Akimonadi attitudes in the city. Almost as bad as the anti-Maldorian attitudes there from the Ryou war. More likely, we should be worried about the tinder-box that is Augusta Nova. Additionally, even though it is a western city, Olde Town should remain under Echo Islander administration due to its long cultural history to the Islands. A divided adminsitration is possible as well, so long as there is some Echoese presence in the city. We should also discuss the terms of the relations between the Akimonadi section and the Echoese section, namely, how freely people and goods can move between the two. I am hoping for a full free trade agreement, and people do not need a passport to come across the border so long as they do not plan to stay for more than two weeks."

Lord Blackfield nodded in agreement. He would not allow the Akimonadi to obtain all areas of importance in the Echo Islands. It would defeat the purpose of the Liberation in the first place. The Empire, the Pictish, and the others had come to free a nation, not to avoid war. They were on the offencive. The Liberation forces had come for war. They expected a war. Blackfield and the Echoese did not have the "good-guy disadvantage" of bending to the other party's will in order to avoid war. They would fight for the Echoese's freedom, be it on this ship, or between Kiravian and Akimonadi ships. They had not come all this way to lose the war at a bargaining table.

"What part of "ANY faction" is confusing you all? If you propose that every major city remain in Echoese hands, then I'm sorry, but it should be clear that that's unacceptable."

"Not every city, sir," the Legate replied calmly, "Only those that we've mentioned. Upson and Olde Towne would remain in Akimonadi hands, among others."

"And every important or notable city remains in Echoese hands? I don't think so. Try for a fair deal - or none at all"

"And every important or notable city remains in Echoese hands? I don't think so. Try for a fair deal - or none at all"

"Sir, please try to understand from our perspective. We came here to regain Echoese control over their nation. It defeats the purpose to give your Empire control over the majority of their economic and social centres."

"No, you listen. You're taking most of our cities and giving us nothing in comparison. What incentive have we?"

"Gentlemen, how about this (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=partitionproposallg7.png)?" Andrew interfered, hoping to defuse the situation.

"It is a good proposal, but it is still detrimental to Echoese progress. Dividing the major cities would create a West-Bank/Jerusalem type situation. Plus, it gives the capital to Akimonad.

Sèr Bremer, if you would like something in comppensation for control of the major cities, that is entirely possible. What do you have in mind?"

"I don't accept bribes." Bremer said with a twinge of moral superiority. "As for Echoese progress, the needn't any. The only way to compromise would be to divide the cities. Free travel would of course be encouraged. We would accept the Damiran proposal."

"I don't accept bribes." Bremer said with a twinge of moral superiority. "As for Echoese progress, the needn't any. The only way to compromise would be to divide the cities. Free travel would of course be encouraged. We would accept the Damiran proposal."

"No bribes, sir. Bargains. You said that we were demanding the major Eastern cities without granting anything in comparison. It is true, and now we seek to correct it by offering compensation."

"No bribes, sir. Bargains. You said that we were demanding the major Eastern cities without granting anything in comparison. It is true, and now we seek to correct it by offering compensation."

"Any 'compensation' you care to offer will likely be inadequate. That is moot, however, as I'm not authorized to deal in monetary affairs of that magnitude here. Not to mention that the Empire is far from interested."

"Any 'compensation' you care to offer will likely be inadequate. That is moot, however, as I'm not authorized to deal in monetary affairs of that magnitude here. Not to mention that the Empire is far from interested."

"Very well," answered Lord Blackfield, "I understand that you're not authorized to make such a deal with money. Would it be possible to have an exchange of territory? We could certainly grant you an equal amount of land to the difference in area between our two plans."

"Where would this territory be located?"

"It's a chain of reasonably large, temperate islands called the Valjean Archipelago. It has iron, bauxite, and quite possibly coal and diamonds. The Empire annexed it as a military shipping lane to aid our forces in Ghassan. With that conflict over, it was pretty much left to sit. There is a good deal of land suitable for building, a local industrial labour force of three million out of a total population of eight million, and port facilities left over from the Kiravian occupation. I'm sure they've got a map in the helicopter..."

"Show me a map." Bremer said, cocking an eyebrow.

The Legate ran back to the helicopter, and after a few minutes returned with a map.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/Glyphick47/Maps/Tenerife.gif

"Here they are," said Blackfield, "The filled dots represent the native cities. The circled dots represent abandoned Kiravian stations. The climate is quite rainy, but temperate. Similar to that of Great Britain."

"And what are you proposing in Echoia if we accept your offer?"

[Bump.]

"You accept our proposal."

"I was addressing the Kiravian diplomat. At any rate, you both have two proposals, so I don't know what "our" proposal is. At any rate, I will not accept either yours or the Kiravian's proposals as they stand."

"Don't be so defensive. It was only a suggestion. I just wanted to get the idea out there."

"You accept our proposal."

OOC: Pop.

I think he means "How much of Echoia will I get".

To which your obvious proposal is "None, take the Kiravian Islands and GTFO of Echoia"

It just seems a little unclear, what you two are saying

Bremer's mobile phone rang. He glanced at it, then flipped it open.

"Excuse me, I must take this call." he said, leaving the room.

He returned shortly afterward.

"I've been informed that my original proposal has full Questarian military backing." he announced.

Bremer looked around the room for a moment.

"I do hope you know what the consequences will be for disagreeing."

Bremer's mobile phone rang. He glanced at it, then flipped it open.

"Excuse me, I must take this call." he said, leaving the room.

He returned shortly afterward.

"I've been informed that my original proposal has full Questarian military backing." he announced.

Bremer looked around the room for a moment.

"I do hope you know what the consequences will be for disagreeing."

OOC: I thought you told NP that you weren't going to bring Questers into this.

IC:

Lord Blackfield decided to let someone else handle the response. Dealing with the 'Great Powers', if you will, of NationStates was a touchy issue in the Empire, which was typically solved by isolationism.

OOC: I thought you told NP that you weren't going to bring Questers into this.

[OOC: If there was military action, it would be in a different thread for a different kind of situation; not necessarily directly in TFEI itself.]

[OOC: If there was military action, it would be in a different thread for a different kind of situation; not necessarily directly in TFEI itself.]

Ah. Understood.

Bremer's mobile phone rang. He glanced at it, then flipped it open.

"Excuse me, I must take this call." he said, leaving the room.

He returned shortly afterward.

"I've been informed that my original proposal has full Questarian military backing." he announced.

Bremer looked around the room for a moment.

"I do hope you know what the consequences will be for disagreeing."

"Whatever, Akimonad's being in the QC is a stain that it will never live down. My country dispatched a hundred thousand men to help in the rebuilding of London when the Alleans bombed it! Questers should damn be on OUR side. And if they want to have a say in this tell them to get a delegate onto this ship!"

ooc: Happy 2008 everybody!

"Whatever, Akimonad's being in the QC is a stain that it will never live down. My country dispatched a hundred thousand men to help in the rebuilding of London when the Alleans bombed it! Questers should damn be on OUR side. And if they want to have a say in this tell them to get a delegate onto this ship!"

ooc: Happy 2008 everybody!

Blackfield could not help but applaud. Damn foolery though it was, damn foolery when combined with dedication and a noble ideal, had works some of the greates human wonders in history.

OOC: Happy '08 to you as well, Echo.

"I can request a representative from Questers, however, you should note that everyone were given a fair chance to deal. I warned you all not to spoil it though it seems the continued belligerence of multiple parties has done just that. This dealing is deteriorating quickly. I would suggest someone do something to rectify the situation."

"I can request a representative from Questers, however, you should note that everyone were given a fair chance to deal. I warned you all not to spoil it though it seems the continued belligerence of multiple parties has done just that. This dealing is deteriorating quickly. I would suggest someone do something to rectify the situation."

"I concur, Sèr Bremer. A peace conference should not be a war in itself. However, I should not be the one to propose what should be done in exchange for the archipelago that we have offered. I leave that up to the Echoese."

"I concur, Sèr Bremer. A peace conference should not be a war in itself. However, I should not be the one to propose what should be done in exchange for the archipelago that we have offered. I leave that up to the Echoese."

"And l've already suggested that the Akimonadi simply accept the Echoese map propsal. It is a win-win situation for you.

"And I've already rejected it. There's no sense bringing it up again."

"And I've already rejected it. There's no sense bringing it up again."

"What would, in your opinion, be a fair exchange for the islands we've offered, then?"

"We're not accepting your islands, as we have no use for them."

Andrew frowned at what was happening. This was not going well, not at all, and with the threats flowing between the two camps this could end up messily. Not a good way for him to continue his career or for this two countries to get at peace. He decided to talk once more.

"As I can see both sides are most passionate about their rights and proposals, however this is taking us nowhere," he stopped motioning towards an officer to bring refreshments and replace the drinks at the table, "If the parties are unable to compromise, we can safely assume that this will take us nowhere," once again he ceased talking, pressing a few buttons and bringing up a holographic map of the country.

"We consider that our previous proposal was reasonable and once again we underline that it represents a fair solution to all those involved, but since this proposition was repelled we will move forward.

Before we continue with this meeting however, I would like to remind you all that cities can be rebuilt, land transformed and ships replaced, but the human life is priceless.

Do any of you desire to trigger the loss of thousand, if not millions of lives by denying this conference success? Is a patch of land or a piece of concrete worth more than the lives of your men? We urge you to think about this before making your decisions.

We offer you three options, one being the acceptance of our first offer, the second an agreement made by all parties to accept a new partition made by us without further comments once it is revealed and finally, the continuation of these talks under the acceptance that no offending or belligerent tone is to be accepted."

Andrew frowned at what was happening. This was not going well, not at all, and with the threats flowing between the two camps this could end up messily. Not a good way for him to continue his career or for this two countries to get at peace. He decided to talk once more.

"As I can see both sides are most passionate about their rights and proposals, however this is taking us nowhere," he stopped motioning towards an officer to bring refreshments and replace the drinks at the table, "If the parties are unable to compromise, we can safely assume that this will take us nowhere," once again he ceased talking, pressing a few buttons and bringing up a holographic map of the country.

"We consider that our previous proposal was reasonable and once again we underline that it represents a fair solution to all those involved, but since this proposition was repelled we will move forward.

Before we continue with this meeting however, I would like to remind you all that cities can be rebuilt, land transformed and ships replaced, but the human life is priceless.

Do any of you desire to trigger the loss of thousand, if not millions of lives by denying this conference success? Is a patch of land or a piece of concrete worth more than the lives of your men? We urge you to think about this before making your decisions.

We offer you three options, one being the acceptance of our first offer, the second an agreement made by all parties to accept a new partition made by us without further comments once it is revealed and finally, the continuation of these talks under the acceptance that no offending or belligerent tone is to be accepted."

"We would like to pursue the third option," stated the Legate clearly. This reminded him of what had occured at Sonomi.

"We will attempt to cooperate, however, should negotiations continue to flounder we will not hesitate to resume armed conflict. A new proposal should be drawn up that is clearly defined and fair, and any objections should be justified, since I still don't have a clue as to what 'Echoese progress' is."

"We will attempt to cooperate, however, should negotiations continue to flounder we will not hesitate to resume armed conflict. A new proposal should be drawn up that is clearly defined and fair, and any objections should be justified, since I still don't have a clue as to what 'Echoese progress' is."

"We concur. And I apologise for leaving our oft-used term undefined. By Echoese progress, we mean the continued development and sustanence of Echoese society, as well as economic progress for the Echoese nation. Now, I believe, the goal is to find an agreeable compromise betwixt the needs of Echoese Progress, and those for, if you will, Akimonadi Progress on the islands."

"We are in accordance with the Kiravian, and to move forward in these negoations, we, or at least I need to know what is so important to Akimonad about my nation." Said the delegate, trying to sound as emphethic as he could.

"We are in accordance with the Kiravian, and to move forward in these negoations, we, or at least I need to know what is so important to Akimonad about my nation." Said the delegate, trying to sound as emphethic as he could.

"We prefer to retain our colonies, not let them secede at the drop of a hat."

"We prefer to retain our colonies, not let them secede at the drop of a hat."

"Quite understandable. We're colonialists ourselves, albeit of a different breed. But what economic or practical aspect of the islands makes them so important to retain?"

"The practical aspect is that they represent a great deal is investment. We've put a lot into the islands and we don't want to see it evaporate. Though I'm still puzzled as to why the Echoese would want to leave annexation, as our original agreement provided quite a few perks and was much less restrictive than most other annexations."

"The practical aspect is that they represent a great deal is investment. We've put a lot into the islands and we don't want to see it evaporate. Though I'm still puzzled as to why the Echoese would want to leave annexation, as our original agreement provided quite a few perks and was much less restrictive than most other annexations."

OOC: ICly, this response comes after the Echoese answer your question, just for the sake of time.

IC:

"Are you at liberty to give an estimate of the assets that you allocated to annexing and maintaining the Echo Protectorate?"

"The practical aspect is that they represent a great deal is investment. We've put a lot into the islands and we don't want to see it evaporate. Though I'm still puzzled as to why the Echoese would want to leave annexation, as our original agreement provided quite a few perks and was much less restrictive than most other annexations."

"I counter your first statement with that if we are simply a great investment, wouldn't it be less expensive to let the islands secede instead of fighting a long and costly war? And on your second thought I believe the largest reason is nationalism or jingoism if you will. It's not like you came in and tried to annex us in the midst of peace, you came in right after two wars, the second of which that had burned Neo Savannah to the ground and we were facing one of the greatest humanitarian and financial crisis that my nation has ever seen. And then you threatened us with further conflict that surely done our nation in, even had we repelled the invasion with the help of the Picts and the Kiravians, the Confederacy would have been a battleground and for the post war economy, well there likely wouldn't have been an economy to speak of. Grant Norse believed he was doing what was best for the nation, though many others were ready to bear the costs of war to keep our sovereignty; and well, you see what happened to Mr. Norse. Perks or no perks, it’s awful hard to change a nation's mentality, secession is not a taboo topic in the Echo islands, it is completely legal in fact, Frioia is a great example of this. The Articles of Confederation state, and I quote
'Should some state, county or otherwise dependency democratically demonstrate that its populous feels the dependency could operate more efficiently as an independent nation, then they should be allowed to leave the national government and form a sovereign nation.'
So secession does not seem wrong in the minds of the Echoese. The Government works hard to keep the Confederacy together, and as we can see with the Echoese War of Northern War of Aggression, it does not always do its job. We want to leave because we want to. The government has always been accommodating to peoples wants in order to keep the nation united, in most Echo Islanders opinions, the Akimonadi Government should be the same way. The populous had become a bed of kindling, all was needed was a spark, and the Akimonadi gave them that spark by revoking dolphin rights."

"Are you at liberty to give an estimate of the assets that you allocated to annexing and maintaining the Echo Protectorate?"

"That information is considered classified and I can't release it at present."

"Perhaps it would help if we knew the opinion of the only absent party, that of the Picts. Have they refused to participate or were they misinformed? I want to know their thoughts on what should be done."

OOC: Glorified bump and poke.

"That information is considered classified and I can't release it at present."

"Understood. I'm not sure what became of the Picts, though. I believe they shall arrive soon engouh, though.

Bump. Picts said he was going to post soon.

Good, then.

The Armistice

A sudden clunk marked the opening of the great, oak doors of the room. From beyond the threshold of the hall, three figures donning imperial ceremonial battle armour strode forth, eyeing each representative in the room. The trinity moved towards their assigned table which was situated just to the right of the Kiravians, and seated themselves. The obvious leader of the group sat in the middle, his eyes yet to wander from that of the Akimonadi party, locked in an unforgiving stare.

"I am Captain Riá of Pictavia, here to represent the Imperium's interests in conference"

"Kindest Greetings Captain." said the Echo Islander as he thought 'reinforcements.'

Frederick Bremer nodded at the man's entrance.

"Well, what now?"

To: Andrew Wallenstein, Nova Maria
From: Tironus, High King of Delkor
Subject: Echoese Peace Talks
Message:
Mr. Wallenstein, please relay the following to the deligates:

I am Tironus, new High King of Delkor (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=546742). We have been monitoring the situation in the Echo Islands, and are discouraged by how quickly this escalated into conflict. It was my choice to remain neutral, dispite our past relations with most of you involved. However, in the interest of continued friendship, I now offer the assistance of my kingdom in repairing the damaged islands. Delkor has excellent craftsmen, metalsmiths, and artists, all of which are willing to aid in the reconstruction effort.
Please do not misunderstand my words. I have no political interest in the Echo Islands, only in friendship between allies. I will send no military forces, no "Peacekeepers". I also encourage my allies to put aside their differences and work together to find peace for these people. There is no need for continued viloence. To that end, might I suggest a Peace Plan: Keep the Echo Islands together, with no dividing borders. Instead, form a new government, with equal representitives from each disputing nation, including an Echo Islands' elected representitive. This way, we can all work together to restore the Islands, maintain our own interests, and restore peace to this region.
I look forward to hearing the outcome of your peace talks.
Thank you.
Tironus, High King
The Grand Imperial Kingdom of Delkor

(OOC: This will be my only post here until an agreement is reached.)

OOC: Yet another bump.

The Kiravians greeted the Picts with salutes, and then asked, "Sèr Riá, we hare honoured by your presence. Do you have a proposal that you wish to bring forth?"

Riá shifted slightly in his chair, clasped his hands together on the desk before him and begrudgingly cleared his throat.

"Alright. Say, by some feat of wonder, the Utopian forces organize themselves following the inevitable breakdown of these talks. How does the Akimonadi presence intend to deal with a multinational force when it can barely contend with a mobilization of civilians under its very own feet? I am of the opinion that Akimonad greatly overestimates itself in the Echoese field, and will have to understand that considerable concessions will have to be made on their part to achieve secuirity"

Satisfied, Riá locked eyes with the Akimonadi delegation once more. As a military man himself, he had no quarrel with the prospect of war. What he did not intend to endure, were endless negotiations. That would surely break him.

"You forget," Bremer said, "That the current force fighting in the Echo Islands is the original garrison, which is about 300,000 troops. The Empire can send many more, and will not hesitate to."

"And I've made enough concessions."

The Legate thought: ðrysr! This is not going to end well.

"Well perhaps contemplation is in order. What has this fine conference achieved so far?" Riá replied, with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Nothing, which is why I am increasingly tempted to leave."

"Feel free to leave my friend, for it is in the theatre f war that I excel, not in the chamber of discussion. What are your demands for peace and Echoese sovereignty? Forgive me, but I have been absent and so have missed all prior misagreements."

SiC to UC Allies:

Yanitaria will be ready to reenter the war, with a newly revamped navy, and large marine force.

"Our original proposal was this (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/fahooglewitz1077/Maps/TFEIClaim3.png), however we later grudgingly agreed to the Damiran proposal (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=partitionproposallg7.png)."

"I can easily see why the Akimonadi proposal was rejected. The vast majority of the key economic centres of Echoia are located in Akimondi territory. Dare I ask why the Dimiran have substantial territorial claims in Echoia? And if the proposal was agreed upon, why are these talks continuing?"

"I can easily see why the Akimonadi proposal was rejected. The vast majority of the key economic centres of Echoia are located in Akimondi territory. Dare I ask why the Dimiran have substantial territorial claims in Echoia? And if the proposal was agreed upon, why are these talks continuing?"

"The Damirans requested territory and the request was granted by both sides. The proposal, however, was not."

"The Damiran proposal still has the largest metropoli under Akimonadi occupation. I take it the Damirans wish to gain territory as some sort of mediator standpoint? As they are a de fact ally of Akimonad, I would have to ask that one set of archipelago isles currently claimed by the third party to be handed over to Utopian control."

"The Damiran proposal still has the largest metropoli under Akimonadi occupation. I take it the Damirans wish to gain territory as some sort of mediator standpoint? As they are a de fact ally of Akimonad, I would have to ask that one set of archipelago isles currently claimed by the third party to be handed over to Utopian control."

"They are presently acting as a neutral party in this conflict. They should be permitted to do as they please."

"Also note that our original proposal to split major cities between factions (of which some are in both proposals) was also rejected."

"Fair enough, I strongly believe no major cities should be split. However, are they not an ally of the Akimonadi through an international defensive pact? Thus, are they not prone to bias? Granted they have approached the issue with a degree of neutrality and sensitivity, however it still would be placing a potential military ally of Akimonadi in an invaluable strategic position against an ally of Pictavia. Especially considering the history of conflict in Echoia, I would begrudgingly see the utopian Commonwealth excluded from a such a valuable tactical asset"

"You obviously were not informed that Damirez is a member of GOOD, and therefore allied to Kirav and The Far Echo Islands."

Bremer paused.

"Coincidentally, so are we."

"I'm afraid Pictavia has never officially recognized "GOOD" and so my knowledge on this alliance is severely limited. However, neutrality is confirmed. All the same, what benefits does granting a third party have? The rapid deployment of Peace Keepers perhaps? I doubt that would end well. It seems to myself that these territorial claims are a mere self-appointed reward for participating as the presiding officer in these negotiations. I will now leave the floor to my fellow Commonwealth members"

Andrew pinched his nose, he just couldn't believe how things were going. One moment the conference was going somewhere and then the Picts appeared. It was as if their were poised to continue the conflict, 'And at the way things are going, that doesn't seem far off,' his thoughts echoed. The comments and accusations made by the Pictish representative did however manage to anger another in the room.

Admiral Al'Hamil was not happy about the situation, the situation at home making her regret this assignment, "With all the respect, she began, "If the Principality were to be interested in making territorial acquisitions I doubt this would be the way to go around it," a silent gesture from Andrew stopped her, but the fire in her eyes told the participants all they needed to know.

"As Admiral Al'Hamil said, we're not exactly in this for territorial gains and we are quite willing to renounce our request for a lease to the two governments with direct interest in this peace treaty, however we're not keen on seeing what will happen to the region without at least some sort of neutral party.

As for the comments regarding our neutrality, while Nova Pictavia might have doubts regarding us, understandable from their point of view, we don't exactly find their considerations regarding our commitments to be taken lightly." the representative spoke, a slight warning in his voice, displeased by the Pictavian position regarding GOOD.

"That being said I recommend that we return to negotiating a peace treaty and reach a conclusion in this problematic situation, being civil about it can only help," the man added looking at the Pictavian representative.

"Regarding this we have received the following proposal from the nation of Delkor," Andrew revealed the Delkorian letter, "We think that it is at least worthy of consideration alongside the other proposals."

OOC: Erm... the talks weren't going anywhere before I arrived either Damirez, and the demonym is "Pictish"

Riá was determined to get to the bottom of this, and the Damiren had done nothing but to complicate the issue further...

"Hang on... "to be taken lightly"? Forgive me if I am wrong, but did our supposed neutral party just threaten the Imperium? And in regards to your continued claims, what exactly would the presence of the neutral party post-war accomplish, save dividing the Echoese peoples amongst a third party? I am merely attempting to ascertain the progress of the negotiations, and I believe it is within my right as the Imperial representative to question any proposals laid out on the table. I recommend that if you really wish to avoid further conflict, you will cease to lecture our delegation on being "civil", the undertone is not appreciated."

"Now, look here," Bremer said, annoyed. "I've no sympathy at all for those that can't even seem to make concessions regarding their own decorum. These people have volunteered their time and their ship as a place for negotiations, and you don't seem to appreciate it all. In fact, you don't seem to appreciate the chance for peace you were given in the first place. We're trying to be nice here - while standing our ground."

OOC: Aki, TG's.

"As am I. I merely state that requests for my tongue to remain civil are in no way necessary when I am just investigating the roles of all participating parties and extent of concessions which will have to be made. I am, obviously, not going to walk away from this conference without seeing the best deal possible before me."

Riá suddenly stopped talking, and proceeded to look about himself with an expression of bewilderment,

"Oh, we're on a ship! Apologies, but I've failed to read the past hundred page- Eh... I mean I was wearing a blindfold when I came on board, or something... Are the Echoese present? I cannot see them, perhaps they are hiding underneath their desk. Someone should really check"

OOC: Aki, TG's.

"As am I. I merely state that requests for my tongue to remain civil are in no way necessary when I am just investigating the roles of all participating parties and extent of concessions which will have to be made. I am, obviously, not going to walk away from this conference without seeing the best deal possible before me."

Riá suddenly stopped talking, and proceeded to look about himself with an expression of bewilderment,

"Oh, we're on a ship! Apologies, but I've failed to read the past hundred page- Eh... I mean I was wearing a blindfold when I came on board, or something... Are the Echoese present? I cannot see them, perhaps they are hiding underneath their desk. Someone should really check"

OOC: lol

"Ono Lavato." muttered the Echoese delegate. "I must ask you, does the Akimonadi Empire really know what it wants?"

"Why would we not know?"

"We offer this (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/fahooglewitz1077/Maps/TFEIClaim4.png) as another proposal. The Damirans control the DMZ and border and large cities are shared equally."

"We offer this (http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y87/fahooglewitz1077/Maps/TFEIClaim4.png) as another proposal. The Damirans control the DMZ and border and large cities are shared equally."

"I actually have very few objections to this. Is Dolphinea divided or completely under Echoese control? It's hard to tell from here."

"It's divided."

"I am not so sure. Should the previous Damiren proposal be revised to avoid the splitting of cities, and perhaps grant Echoia more urban centres, I believe the Pictish interests are settled following one more thing. If Damirez is granted territory under lease in order to prevent further conflict, we would wish to send small analytical forces, patrols and guard units from time to time. Nothing significant enough to warrant a threat, but just so we had eyes on the ground outside Echoese territory. I believe this may be a large step towards settlement of the peace."

"We feel that division of the cities is quite frankly the only way that this settlement will be fair. It ensures that both sides are roughly equal. This is as far as we plan on going in terms of concessions, considering we did not originally intend to give away land. The Echoese and their allies should appreciate what they've got while we still agree, rather than making irrational demands."

Riá then began to squint at the Akimonadi speaker, before reaching on hand out towards his left ear...

"Oh, what's this I wonder!? Is it the Pictish proposal?"

And indeed, as if by magic, the Pictish proposal (http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/Echo.png) came out from behind the Akimonadi's ear.

"Either party may have either side, no major cities are split and the de-militarized zone may not house any form of military however is open to occupation by all parties excluding the Echoese and Akimonadi, i.e the Damiren."

Bremer stared at the man, a stoic expression on his face. He was unimpressed.

"Should we choose to accept this proposal, we would take the western portion, and give all
of Glacia Island to Damiran and Echoese occupation."

OOC:BTW Aki, Nice Wiki

"Well, you can hardly ask for more than that! How does the Echoese delegation feel towards this?"

OOC:BTW Aki, Nice Wiki
OOC: Thanks. But don't trust it since it's completely out of date.

"I've modified the Pictish proposal a little here. How do you feel about this (http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/The_Far_Echo_Islands/Maps/tfeimappoli2andmilitary3-1.png)?" said the Confederate, placing out yet another map. "The red lines are the DMZ, the black one is the border."

"No. The Pictish proposal was fair enough, but in this one you take Neo Savannah and split Augusta Nova. Just no."

"So, in effect Echoia wishes to trade Archangel, St. Sebastian and Kalashnikov for Neo Savannah and half of Augusta Nova?"

After the Echoese actions, the Pictish representative promptly donned his top-hat, picked up his cane, touched the tip of his noes with one finger and disappeared in a puff of magical white smoke. His two aides, who happened to be midgets, struggled off their tall chairs and ran screaming from the room with their little hands waving in the air.

After the Echoese actions, the Pictish representative promptly donned his top-hat, picked up his cane, touched the tip of his noes with one finger and disappeared in a puff of magical white smoke. His two aides, who happened to be midgets, struggled off their tall chairs and ran screaming from the room with their little hands waving in the air.

OOC: sorry for the ooc, but ROLFAMO!!!!!11:D

After the Echoese actions, the Pictish representative promptly donned his top-hat, picked up his cane, touched the tip of his noes with one finger and disappeared in a puff of magical white smoke. His two aides, who happened to be midgets, struggled off their tall chairs and ran screaming from the room with their little hands waving in the air.

[OOC: LOL!]

OOC: That, kids, is how we RP a getaway :cool:

[OOC:

[19:02:22] <Akimonad> k so
[19:02:29] <Akimonad> My delegate just got shot in TFEI
[19:02:38] <Caelapes> the shit be on

]

When the shots were fired, the unarmed Kiravians ducked. A firefight erupted in the room. The next thing they knew, the Echoese chopper had been shot down. Lord Blackfield grabbed the Pict's shoulder, and shouted, "Let's get the hell out of here!"

The two Kiravians darted for their helicopter, whose blades had already begun to whirr. As the craft rose from the deck of the Damiran ship, its occupants looked on as the Akimoadi disposed of the brave Echonian.

The soldier on board, an Echoese-Kiravian, would have mowed down every Akimonadi in sight, had the Legate not stopped him.

"Fear not," he stated with deadly certainty, "For he has not died in vain."

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/2154/aki1im3.jpg

"Caeli frigo ue--er, qudeguer... mie referi instano a arscuri amituer... Legati Akimonado a legati Ekō nekuer in navi claso Damireto. Quopugni brevo, legati Ekō a kutidiviro Akimonado carnufuer. Mie ad tie referi deferuer ceu amituer..."

[EN: Tomorrow's weather will be cold--er, pardon me... we're receiving some breaking news from our home office... an Akimonadi delegate has just been killed by an Echoese delegate aboard a Damiran naval ship. After a brief firefight, the Echoese delegate was executed by Akimonadi guards. We'll continue to report as we receive updates...]

Just as the news of the Akimonadi delegate's death was being delivered to the Caelapene Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, the State News Office began coverage of the story using information as it came from the Akimonadi government. As reports were streaming to Caelapene televisions, intelligence agents were scurrying about hallways, carrying papers hot off of printers and hastily stamped "Secret." Soldiers sat in the back of planes listening to their commanders barking orders as they were received from the Ministry of Defense. Military analysts met with Cabinet officials and plans were drafted, encrypted, and sent to Akimonad for review. Parliament, in an emergency assembly, authorized the use of military power in both defense of Akimonad and in retaliation to the murderous Echoese delegate.

The Federation of Caelapes was prepared for war.

Suddenly, a teeny-tiny orbit-launched Jeunese nuclear missile released six itsy-bitsy MIRV warheads, but instead of releasing a wee bit of radiation, they turned the Echoese man's head into candy, which subsequently exploded, showering the Pictavian midgets of the Lolipop Guild in delicious sustenance. This phenomenon of heads exploding into candy was only known to happen when lulz met lulz, creating truly epic lulz, and was the source of the power of the series of tubes.

As a side effect, a van exploded nearby, leaving a pizza delivery guy very confused and without a ride back to his place of employment—or house, for that matter. He threw up his hands in despair, and found a house with a nice woman to bang.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y154/Retro_1989/INN.jpg

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/the_far_echo_islands.jpg
Flag of the Rouge Echoese Confederacy

"Echoese Peace Delegate Shoots Akimonadi, Three Times"

Last night, at 11:48 PM GMT, the Echoese delegate shot his Akimonadi colleague dead following hours of stalemate at the peace conference being held on board a local Damiren military vessel. Leaked reports suggest the perpetrator was fatally wounded during an intense firefight with Akimonadi guards while all other diplomats fled the scene. Another confirmed deliberate explosion destroyed the Echoese delegation's helicopter during the confusion, although the reasons for this action undertaken by Akimonadi military assets remains unknown.

Thus far, no statement has been made by The Silver Imperium concerning the incident, and the Imperial Defence Condition remains at "Elevated". Unofficial statements from various Parliamentary Councillors indicates that involvement in the Echoian theatre of war, should conflict resurface, will be avoided in order to maintain positive international relations with UFAN. The government has pledged to support all aid agencies expecting immediate redeployment to TFEI islands however, citing that "[...] with instability and ongoing conflict looking increasingly likely in TFEI, thoughts should instead be turned towards preventing a humanitarian crisis".

A joint statement from Kirav and Pictavia representing The Silver Imperium is expected to be released tonight.

Imperial News Feed
January 2008
Imperial News Network© Team (MMVIII)

OOC: Just a quickie because the pager is going, UFAN supports Akimoand in this, If aid is required it shall be dispatched.

http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee194/Glyphick47/ININlogo.gif

Imperiaix Novainformator eð Informator Wexdräv

Pyredränuv að Páx Conferav læth Echönix eð Akimonadíx delegatav Dÿn.

Nærchronis, i pyredränuv initiað tor Echönix dèplomän Lescum resultið en té dÿriv áu bix Akimonadix dèplomän Bremer, eð Lescum vù-sær.

Eð áltürix dètælav æ nolörnim en kër chronuv, er æð confërmim kin té Kiravix eð Pictix reprosmänav escapið.

English: Recently, a firefight initiated by Echoese diplomat Lescum resulted in the death of both Akimonadi diplomat Bremer, and Lescum himself.

And, athough details are unknown at this time, it has [been] confirmed that the Kiravian and Pictish representatives escaped.

“Ono lavato nev alase.” Said the delegate in a solemn tone; then in a dizzying blur of motions, the Echoese delegate quickly reached into his jacket and removed a Micro-Tyrone 10mm pistol from the inner pocket. In smooth motions, the Echo Islander pulled out the weapon and leveled it with the Akimonadi’s head. With no more hesitation, he pulled the hair trigger three times. His face showed no remorse as the weapon blared out the three projectiles at the Akimonadi delegate’s face. He was tired of this.

OOC: I'd reconsider this post and what it started. You guys are on board a carrier, flagship of my fleet with at least 200 marines on it. Plus I'd think I'd take a measure or two to prevent this from happening given the situation in the region and the animosity between parties.

And in the event you want to maintain this (which despite the fact it's a bit godmodish I'll allow if Aki approves of it too), your delegate and others won't make it out the door before my forces intervened, most likely neutralizing/terminating the offender and taking to safety the other parties.

Again, I urge you to reconsider since it represents not only a grave act to do and the cessation of all negotiations but a slap in the face to my government ICly paramount to a declaration of war.

OOC:
Again, I urge you to reconsider since it represents not only a grave act to do and the cessation of all negotiations but a slap in the face to my government ICly paramount to a declaration of war.

Which would place me in a steaming ocean of shit. I agree with Damirez. Retconning would probably be a great choice at this time.

Treaty of the Nova Maria
Revision 2

In order to bring to an end the conflict between the Echo Islanders and the Akimonadi, this treaty will bring into effect the following decrees:

1.) All signed parties will recognize one another’s sovereignty.
2.) The Echo Islands will end its compulsory military service, only allowing for voluntary military service except in times of pronounced and imminent threats to the national security of the Echo Islands or otherwise by the decree of Akimonad for defensive purposes.
3.) Akimonad will reduce its military presence in the Echo Islands to at or below 85,000 military personnel
4.) The Echo Islanders will have full dominion over their nation in times of peace.
5.) The Echo Islands will vow to support to Akimonad in a defensive conflict.
6.) The Echo Islands will maintain a complete free trade policy with Akimonad.
7.) Akimonad will play no part in peace time Echo Islander politics except to send a number of non-voting observers to various government assemblies.
8.) Akimonad will not fish or whale or otherwise engage in the harvesting of marine life, mining operations, or foresting operations in the Echo Islands with out the Echo Islander government consent.
9.) The Echo Islands promises Akimonad a first priority trade policy, as well as a minimum five percent discount to Akimonad on trades.
10.) All signed parties will retain their membership in any super-national organizations or alliances.
11.) The Echo Islands will recognize their status as an Akimonadi territory.
12.) Akimonad will allow the Echo Islands home rule during peace time.
13.) During war time, the Echo Islands will follow any declarations passed by the Akimonadi government.
14.) Echo Islanders will not be subject to Akimonadi taxation, only the taxation set by the Echo Islander government, save for during times that Akimonad is fighting a defensive war.

We, the undersigned herby bring these points into law on Tuesday the 22 of January of the year 2007 by the Gregorian calendar.

Signed,

Kovac Fuscum, Delegate of the Confederate States of the Echo Islands

"We suggest one amendment, just provisional really"

During a wartime jurisdiction over the Echo Islands, the Autocratic Federated EMpire of Akimonad may not in any way breach, alter, or anull personhood status or citizenship rights of Echoese Cetaceans

"Well, let us see how the Akimonadi feel about this." said Fuscum, as he waited for the Akimonadi to finish reading the treaty.

"Though I find the whole thing disheartening, I find that the mandated military presence is rather small. Our current force is 300,000. You're halving that about three times plus a little more. I don't think that that would be enough to maintain the security of the region. Something like 150,000-75,000 would be more sufficient."

"I'll be lenient, how about 85,000?"

"I'll be lenient, how about 85,000?"

"Fine."

The Echoese delegate logged on to a his laptop, and made the minor modification to the treaty, and reprinted it. He once again signed it.

"So, you'll sign now?"

The Echoese delegate logged on to a his laptop, and made the minor modification to the treaty, and reprinted it. He once again signed it.

"So, you'll sign now?"

"I suppose." Bremer said, sighing.

He signed the piece of paper.

"I take the strangest pleasure in saying that, the war is over, once again." Said Fuscum with a akward chuckle. "Wow, 'tis quite a world we live in, is it not Mr. Bremer?"

"Indeed." Bremer said. "Now, I've got stuff to do relating to the Londinian... er... blockade. We may be shifting some things around."

The Legate signed the treaty, and then enjoyed the newfound peace silently. Orders were transmitted to the Kiravian armada to stand down, and for all but 10 of the ships to return to Sattelia immediately.