NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This RP is for missing nuclear cruise missiles, stolen from the ASoGM military stockpile. Someone will need to volunteer to be the thieves (another nation or terrorist group), someone to be the recipient of the missiles (in a good or bad way), and there will need to be a group of people trying to hunt the weapons/thieves down.

IC: It was approximately 10:00 AM, and Sergeant Krievowski was doing his normal weekly inventory of the nuclear weapons stockpile that was stored at Camp Bradley, when he noticed a total of 6 serial numbers were missing. Figuring the UGM-109A Tomahawks were just moved around, he circled the numbers on his sheet, and put a question mark next to it. Once he got to the end of his list, he noticed that the missing weapons still weren't accounted for. He called for his supervisor, Lieutenant Forstner, and notified him immediately. Forstner redid the inventory, and did not find the missing missiles. He notified the base commander, Colonel Jackson, who ordered a full base lockdown and investigation.

Surveillance tapes were checked, and approximately 12 hours previous, a group of masked individuals in issue BDUs were seen loading the crated weapons into a ASoGM Unimog 6x6. Colonel Jackson activated the missile tracking systems on the missing missiles, but there was no response, as the trackers must have been disabled. Colonel Jackson immediately notified the Minister of Defense.

To: Ministry of Defense, ASoGM
From: Colonel Jackson, base commander Camp Bradley
Re: Missing nuclear UGM-109A Tomahawk missiles

Sir, it is my duty to inform you that 6 nuclear UGM-109A Tomahawk missiles have gone missing. The loss was noticed at approximately 10 AM, during the weekly inventory of the nuclear weapons stored at this base. I have locked down the base, and have started an investigation into the matter. Surveillance tapes confirm that the missiles were loaded into a Unimog 6x6 at approximately 10 PM last night by masked suspects wearing issue BDUs. The missile tracking systems are non functional at this time, and I fear that the missiles may have left the country by now. I will update you with more information the second I have any.

(ooc this looks cool, i'll see who joins to find my place)

I'll join as the AUM - Alfegos Underground Mafia.
_____________________

"Hurry up you idiots!"

The tomahawks were being loaded by hand into the payload of an unusual form of transport: an airship. This one had not been scuttled as had been ordered, and under a new name and after many repairs, the comrade class air ordinance cruiser had been used by the AUM for many jobs, such as this one.

Once they were inside, amongst the many gantries and walkways in the interior, the crew began to add pressure back to the deflated cells. It bobbed up into the air, the bomb-bay doors shutting as it engaged 6 noisy turboprops to move it back to a secret location.

Inside the bomb-bay, a definitive deterrant from attack was still there: the munitions frame for originally bombs but now missiles. In total, 120 AAMs and 80 ASMs were strapped in.

In the fore gondola, 18 men sat as the airship moved away from the nation. Each was armed with an AF-07 assault rifle, with a couple of AAT-67 missilelaunchers hidden underneath a stack of ammunition boxes for the minigun that protruded from the side.

It was a formidable craft, that was faster than a ship, harder to board and much harder to shoot down than an aircraft. It just wasn't the stealthiest of craft, even when put down as a trading vessel.

(ooc-what is the AUM's affiliation?)

(Whoever bids highest)

(hmmm, you see, i'm a small, yet well off socialist nation, and if possible, one of the buisnesses that were kicked out could be paying to make a point to other small nations. just a thought.)

(So you as a client, eh? Paying for a few nuclear weapons so that you can enforce a view upon your enemies.)

(Time to bring the AHC, perhaps? Could be some interesting plot.)

(Time to bring the AHC, perhaps? Could be some interesting plot.)

OOC: What's the AHC?

OOC: What's the AHC?

(The Army of the Holy Cross, a Christian terrorist organisation that I used under my civil war. They don't like Alfegos much.)

(Possibly, with the AHC trying to get the warheads from the AUM as well, while the Gun Manufs. are trying to get back the warheads, and the AUM try to deliver them to whasshe called.)

(Something like that. I'll get an IC post up tomorrow.)

(Well what ever you need)
The Internet was a flood of rumors, many see the suspitiouslly leaked portion of tape that states that some unnamed nation lost nukes. The Rumors, normal for the internet seed to also have some goverments on edge. Yet the United Estovakian goverment quicklly said that that is impossible now. Yet behind the sceens the leadership was concern, expecially with the speed of the rumor...

FBI special investigators were dispatched to Camp Bradley, where they started to collect whatever physical evidence they could. They took photos of the crime scene, dusted for prints, checked duty logs, personnel records, and digitally enhanced the surveillance video in order to get whatever information they could. They ended up pulling the number of the truck that was used off the processed tape, and started a 100 mile search for it. They ended up finding it abandoned, in a field large enough for a large helicopter or other STOL aircraft to operate from. They took pictures and dusted the vehicle for prints, but didn't find any, because apparently the entire surface of the vehicle had been wiped down.

The lead investigator, Special Agent Dustin Dove sent a preliminary report to the base commander, which outlined what little evidence that was recovered. In the report, he also stated that he would need to question every person that had access to the nuclear weapons storage area, because he felt that there was little chance that someone could pull this off without inside help.

The IFL organization in GM were excited at the news that nuclear weapons were missing. A internet e-mail was made to Leocardia about this finding.

To: LMOCC
From: IFL Guns Manufactuerers

We have discovered nuclear weaponry missing here. We ask simply if you will support us for funds to buy these nuclear weapons off from the organization.

A reply from Leocardia granted their support.

Out the IFL agents looked to find the sneaky thieves.

The IFL organization in GM were excited at the news that nuclear weapons were missing. A internet e-mail was made to Leocardia about this finding.

To: LMOCC
From: IFL Guns Manufactuerers

We have discovered nuclear weaponry missing here. We ask simply if you will support us for funds to buy these nuclear weapons off from the organization.

A reply from Leocardia granted their support.

Out the IFL agents looked to find the sneaky thieves.

OOC: What's the IFL?

The airship continued to drone along through the sky. Only a few more minute, and they were untouchable, in international waters. The AUM personnel continued to sit and watch the computer screens, hoping that nothing came after them. If so, they could not be shot down in case the missiles in the airship were hit and detonated. And the AUM excelled at boarding actions...

On board the Servant of Heaven, a fishing trawler used as a mobile headquarter of the Army of the Holy Cross, radio and radar operators were listening for approaching vessels. A agent had tipped them off that nuclear devices had been stolen from Gun Manufacturers. As the zealous servants of God that they were, the AHC had figured out that a nuclear weapon would be a useful tool in bringing Gods retribution down on the heretical Alfegans. Suddenly, one of the operators tore off his headphones and rushed to the bishop in charge of the ship. "We have an airship incoming, father. It must be the godless Alfegans. They are the most frequent users of those vessels".
The man nodded. "That is good, my son. Inform Hammer of God, Archangel, Silent Prayer and Scourge of the Infidels".
"Consider it done, father". The man bowed and ran back.

A light flashed up on the radar screen in the bridge. A man ran to one of thw windows and looked out through the small slit with a pair of binoculars.

"It's only a fishing boat."

They relaxed as the airship continued to move on.

More "fishing boats" closed in on the airship. Below the innocent surface, missiles were prepared and boarding parties assembled. The boats formed a circle around the airship. A secret weapon was hidden on every boat; a special-manufactured harpoon launcher, designed to hit airships and drag them down. All the men waited for the signal.

"Are you sure they're fishing boats?"

"Yes."

"Then why have they formed a circle around us?"

".....I think we are about to come under attack. Don't open the missile bay yet, but make sure that you can fire at them on a moments notice. I may be wrong, but I don't want to be taken down first. And could we please get in a vaguely organised defence?"

A man loaded and cocked the minigun, while the rest of the men apart from 5 cockpit operators went out into to insides of the ship. 2 men waited hidden just above the lower maintenance gantry, with missile launchers readied. Another 5 men were spread around the ships at hidden exits onto the external structure. They heard a crackle over their radios.

"As soon as they try anything, wait for the missiles to fire off before attack. Then you'll have the benefit of them having their heads down."

ASoGM naval forces noticed the airship and "fishing boats" on radar, and the Admiral in charge of the battlegroup gave the order to check it out. "This could very well be a drug smuggling operation, so keep your eyes open. Ready the alert fighters, go to readiness level 1, and call up some Doves". (OOC: Doves are armed ekranoplanes, and can be found here: http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10532574&postcount=6)

Just then, the radio room reported receiving an emergency action message regarding the loss of the 6 nuclear tomahawks.

"There is something wrong. I think they noticed us", one of the officers remarked to the bishop.
"Why is that, my son?"
"Just a feeling, father. I once walked into an ambush, I got the same feeling then. Someone is watching us".
A radar operator joined them. "Excuse me father, but the radar has detected a group of ships heading our way. We suspect it might be warships".
"We are not in shape of fighting a fleet, father", the young officer said.
"That is true, my son. Continue to keep the men ready, but do not give the signal until I say otherwise".
"Yes, father".

The radio operator called the bridge to inform the Admiral that there was an EAM that needed his attention. As he was speaking, he glanced over at the message, and said, "OH SHIT!". Realizing he was still transmitting to the bridge, he apologized. The Admiral told the operator to bring the message to the bridge so that it could be authenticated and read.

The operator arrived, the message was authenticated, and the Admiral read the message:

Secure message
To: All fleet Admirals
From: Naval Command, ASoGM
Re: Nuclear weapons stolen

Six nuclear UGM-109A Tomahawk missiles were stolen at approximately 10 PM last night from the nuclear weapons depot at Camp Bradley. Be alert for ANY suspicious activity, and stop all vessels in your area. Inspect all cargo and cargo manifests until further notice.


After reading the message, the Admiral ordered the alert fighters to launch and intercept the airship, and ordered marines to man the Seahawk helicopters, to intercept the fishing vessels. The radio operator was given the order to contact the airship and fishing vessels, to notify them to stand by for boarding and inspection. The radar operator informed the Admiral that the airship and the fishing vessels were very close to international waters. Two Dove ekranoplanes sped into the area from port, at their max speed of 310 knots.

"Ekranoplans, closing in fast! What do you reckon?"

"Open fire. Then we scarper."

The missile bay doors opened, and 4 Nimbus AAMs burst from the frame, spinning before they locked onto the fast-moving RADAR tracks. These each were fitted with a 10kg warhead, with a rocket behind that would propel it for 12 miles.

As they did it, there was a roar as the airship moved off away from the Ekranoplans, the missile-bay door remaining open as it accelerated to 90km/h.

"See if we have anything else in the area to call in on."
______________________________-

There was another AUM craft in the area: it was a small gunboat, with a 40mm cannon on the deck and 4 tubes containing SkySinger SAMs on the sides. They heard the call, and began to move towards the area. However, they had a ETA for 1 1/2 hours. Hopefully not too long...

"Incoming aircraft, closing in fast".
"Prepare for anti-aircraft battle, but do not fire until permission is given. Contact Heretic's Bane, Crown of Messiah and Fist of the Faithful and get them here as fast as possible.
"Yes, father".

The five ships raced over the water at maximum speed. Waiting in international waters were three more ships, preparing their weapons.

"Ekranoplans, closing in fast! What do you reckon?"

"Open fire. Then we scarper."

The missile bay doors opened, and 4 Nimbus AAMs burst from the frame, spinning before they locked onto the fast-moving RADAR tracks. These each were fitted with a 10kg warhead, with a rocket behind that would propel it for 12 miles.

As they did it, there was a roar as the airship moved off away from the Ekranoplans, the missile-bay door remaining open as it accelerated to 90km/h.

"See if we have anything else in the area to call in on."
______________________________-

There was another AUM craft in the area: it was a small gunboat, with a 40mm cannon on the deck and 4 tubes containing SkySinger SAMs on the sides. They heard the call, and began to move towards the area. However, they had a ETA for 1 1/2 hours. Hopefully not too long...

"SHIT! Incoming missiles, launch flares and chaff, and begin jamming!", exclaimed the pilot of the lead Dove. As the flares and chaff were launched and the jamming commenced, the radio operator on the lead Dove radioed to the battlegroup that they had been fired upon. The pilot jerked the craft in an evasive manuever, and was rewarded with the missiles only causing slight damage. The second Dove wasn't so lucky, as it sustained a direct hit, and exploded. The Dove returned fire with 2 RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, and the alert fighters which were closing fast, locked on with their radars and prepared to fire.

The Admiral of the battlegroup ordered the sounding of general quarters, and ordered the launch of 4 more F18s (for a total of 6 F18s), ordered a launch of a rescue helo for the downed Dove, and ordered a message to be sent to Naval Command that they were taking fire from an airship, lost one Dove to enemy fire, and that they had engaged the bandit.

"We've blown it with the authorities! Everyone to AA battlestations!"

Suddenly, an alarm came over the radios.

"Brace for impact!"

The two missiles were tracking heading directly for the gasbag. The layer of 20mm Kevlar would not be likely to stop them. The ECM package onboard was a bit past its useby date, and only caused one of the missiles to fly downwards into the sea. The other hit the gasbag in the centre, ripping open 28 cells as it exploded. The helium inside them did not explode. The buoyancy was not badly affected either luckily.

There was a hope in the tactition-esque mind of the airship commander that that the enemy realised what they were up against: a full 640 metres of airship, that in the past in battles had been shown to rip land forces to pieces.

Within seconds of the impact, the fighters had been detected inbound. 4 more Nimbus missiles broke free of the rack and sped off into the distance at the inbound jets. In the cockpit, the minigunner looked through enhanced-reality sights at the inbound jets, the bracket around the nearest inbound one still red, indicating it was out of range.

The missile controller had been notified of the enemy fleet, and had a solution to see how well they would do. The carrier was the prime target for 6 missiles that broke from the brackets: 6 "Screaming Oblivion" missiles tipped with a HEAT 35kg warhead shot across the sky at the enemy carrier, their rockets propelling them to mach 4.

"Target speeding up!", one of the operators shouted. "Target attacked and hit! Damage unknown".
"Do not lose target out of sight!" The bishop sat down. "Those ships hunting the target are becoming annoying. They're scaring the target. Fire some missiles at them so they learn to stay away".
"Order confirmed. Prepare the Harpoons".
"Harpoons ready".
"Fire!"

Three Harpoon anti-ship missiles roared away against the Gun Manufacturan ships. Not much, but surely they wouldn't expect it.

"We've blown it with the authorities! Everyone to AA battlestations!"

Suddenly, an alarm came over the radios.

"Brace for impact!"

The two missiles were tracking heading directly for the gasbag. The layer of 20mm Kevlar would not be likely to stop them. The ECM package onboard was a bit past its useby date, and only caused one of the missiles to fly downwards into the sea. The other hit the gasbag in the centre, ripping open 28 cells as it exploded. The helium inside them did not explode. The buoyancy was not badly affected either luckily.

There was a hope in the tactition-esque mind of the airship commander that that the enemy realised what they were up against: a full 640 metres of airship, that in the past in battles had been shown to rip land forces to pieces.

Within seconds of the impact, the fighters had been detected inbound. 4 more Nimbus missiles broke free of the rack and sped off into the distance at the inbound jets. In the cockpit, the minigunner looked through enhanced-reality sights at the inbound jets, the bracket around the nearest inbound one still red, indicating it was out of range.

The missile controller had been notified of the enemy fleet, and had a solution to see how well they would do. The carrier was the prime target for 6 missiles that broke from the brackets: 6 "Screaming Oblivion" missiles tipped with a HEAT 35kg warhead shot across the sky at the enemy carrier, their rockets propelling them to mach 4.

The 2 alert fighters launched 2 AIM-120 Air-to-Air Missiles each, launched chaff and flares, and broke hard to evade the missiles. The lead F18 evaded the missiles fired at him, but his wingman was hit by shrapnel from an exploding missile. With wing, stabilizer, and hydraulic damage, he limped back to the carrier. The remaining Dove fired its last 2 RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missiles, and broke away to head back to the relative safety of the battlegroup. The other 4 fighters reached the battle and locked on with their missiles.

Meanwhile, EW technicians on the Carrier began jamming the instant the airship tried to lock on. Once the 6 missiles were fired, the EWs switched to deception tactics. The CIWS and Mark 36 SRBOC systems were activated and set on automatic, and the DDG-51 ARLEIGH BURKE-class destroyers launched SM-2 missiles to intercept the inbound missiles. Through all the defensive measures though, a missile did impact the carrier in the side, causing extensive damage. Fire and damage control crews were immediately dispatched to the area.

"Missiles detected from fishing boats."

"I thought so. Get some missiles ready in case they fire on us. I don't want a harpoon missile bursting us."

"Target approaching Heretic's Bane, Crown of Messiah[/[I] and [I]Fist of the Faithful".
"Harpoon guns are ready".

The three waiting boats got the airship in sight. "Fire!"
Three harpoons, with wires attached to them, were fired against the airship. If they hit, the plan was to pull down the airship, allowing boarding parties to get on board. Otherwise, they just had to keep hitting it with missiles, the commanders on the ships thought.

"Target speeding up!", one of the operators shouted. "Target attacked and hit! Damage unknown".
"Do not lose target out of sight!" The bishop sat down. "Those ships hunting the target are becoming annoying. They're scaring the target. Fire some missiles at them so they learn to stay away".
"Order confirmed. Prepare the Harpoons".
"Harpoons ready".
"Fire!"

Three Harpoon anti-ship missiles roared away against the Gun Manufacturan ships. Not much, but surely they wouldn't expect it.

"Missiles inbound, sir! They came from the fishing boats", reported one of the EWs over the comm system. "Order the battlegroup to open fire on them", the Admiral told the XO. Almost immediately, the cruisers launched their own Harpoon missiles at the fishing vessels. The Iowa class battleship fired its 9 big 16" guns in ripple fire. As that was happening, the battlegroup was also trying to defeat the missiles through deception, CIWS, Mark 36 SRBOC, and SM-2 missiles. As hard as the sailors worked to prevent impact though, somehow all 3 missiles struck their targets. One missile hit one of the destroyers, one hit the battleship, and one hit one of the oilers. While the destroyer and battleship took damage, they were savable with the help of fire and damage crews. The oiler, on the other hand, became engulfed in flames, as the diesel fuel and oil ignited. The abandon ship order was given, to save as many lives as possible from the oiler. Onboard the carrier, the Admiral ordered another 12 planes to launch, as well as an E-2 Hawkeye and 4 EA-6 Prowlers.

One of the trawlers exploded in flames as the Harpoons struck. The vessel broke in two halves and sunk burning. The others responded by sending four more Harpoons against the battlegroup.

One of the trawlers exploded in flames as the Harpoons struck. The vessel broke in two halves and sunk burning. The others responded by sending four more Harpoons against the battlegroup.

The EWs were ready for fire from the trawlers this time, and worked to jam the targeting radars for as long as possible. Once they were in the air, they switched to deception, and with the active and passive countermeasures, this time they were able to stop all 4 Harpoons. The battleship let loose with another barrage of fire from its 9 16" guns, and the DDG-51s targeted each trawler, and let loose with 2 Harpoons for each. The Virginia class attack subs that were attached to the battlegroup also attacked, and fired torpedoes at the trawlers, while the Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates opened fire with their 76 mm/62 caliber naval guns.

OOC: What's the IFL?

OOC: International Freedom League, I think.

As the battle raged on, a lone, diesel-electric submarine running on battery powered and floating on currents watched quietly. T31 Cruise Missles loaded into 8 bays, waiting to destroy the victor and claim the weapons....

As the battle raged on, a lone, diesel-electric submarine running on battery powered and floating on currents watched quietly. T31 Cruise Missles loaded into 8 bays, waiting to destroy the victor and claim the weapons....

OOC: You do know that I have my own subs in the water, right? I hope so, since I mentioned them in my last post. Considering that they're in the middle of a naval battle (they fired at the trawlers), they'd definitely have their active sonar on (my surface ships would be have their sonars active as well, since they're in the middle of combat), so you wouldn't be able to just sneak into the area with your own sub. That, and I have a full battlegroup up there, so it would be very difficult for you to destroy them all with only one sub. Even if you could fire off all 8 of your cruise missiles, you'd still have to deal with my subs before you'd be able to claim the cargo.

OOC: The sub is a recon sub, and it's pretty far away. My nation has mostly concentrated on long-range radar. Also, the other subs/ships might drown it out with their own active radar.

OOC: The sub is a recon sub, and it's pretty far away. My nation has mostly concentrated on long-range radar. Also, the other subs/ships might drown it out with their own active radar.

OOC: If you're far enough away that my active sonar won't pick you up, and since I'm assuming you're submerged (otherwise you'd be spotted on someone's radar), how would you know what's going on with the battle, and who the victor is? There's an air battle going on as well as a naval battle. If the airship wins, you'd never know unless you surfaced and activated your radar (which would be detectable). If I win, you'd have to move in submerged (you'd be vulnerable to surface and air attack if you surfaced), but then my subs would find you. I don't know what would happen if the trawlers win, because I don't know what kind of equipment they have on them, other than radar and Harpoons (I don't know if they have sonar).

OOC: For the airship, I'd just wait for the ummistakable sound of it crashing into the ocean after falling out of the sky. Let's just say the sub was hoping it was an all-out battle.

"WHAT THE..."

They had not expected three harpoons to come flying from the fishing boats. One of the harpoons hit a ganty and held onto that, while the other two punctured the kevlar envelope and were caught on part of the internal structure. The airship roared as the engines were pushed to maximum thrust, and there was a hiss as extra helium was diverted from the ballast tanks into the main cell network.

"Give us full upward lift. Let's pull those boats outta the water!"

The airship started moving upwards. It had a total lifting power of about 1600 tonnes, enough to drag at least one of the boats out of the water. Meanwhile, the men hidden inside began to open fire: there was the chatter of 4 assault rifles, the harsh sound indicating they were AF-07s. One man fired off a missile launcher. There was a roar and then the strange noise of the wire being towed behind it. The missile dived downwards towards one of the ships, no jamming method in the world able to divert a wire-guided weapon.
______________________________

The two extra missiles curved off, striking the sea, as the decoy system fed them flares to chase after. Now, there were the fighters inbound. The minigunner's crosshairs turned green, and he began to fire off the gun, roaring as it consumed the 10 boxes of 5000 rounds rapidly. He tracked the movements of the fighter, a red star on a black background, waiting until it was destroyed.

The airship gave a screech as it fired off 3 SkySinger missiles: these were by definition SAMs, but it did them no harm in such a massive craft. The missiles now deployed soared onto the enemy aircraft until the formation had been fed to it by the computer. A charge blew the missile to pieces, sending 150 bomblets in total at the formation, calculated to cause maximum damage.

"WHAT THE..."

They had not expected three harpoons to come flying from the fishing boats. One of the harpoons hit a ganty and held onto that, while the other two punctured the kevlar envelope and were caught on part of the internal structure. The airship roared as the engines were pushed to maximum thrust, and there was a hiss as extra helium was diverted from the ballast tanks into the main cell network.

"Give us full upward lift. Let's pull those boats outta the water!"

The airship started moving upwards. It had a total lifting power of about 1600 tonnes, enough to drag at least one of the boats out of the water. Meanwhile, the men hidden inside began to open fire: there was the chatter of 4 assault rifles, the harsh sound indicating they were AF-07s. One man fired off a missile launcher. There was a roar and then the strange noise of the wire being towed behind it. The missile dived downwards towards one of the ships, no jamming method in the world able to divert a wire-guided weapon.
______________________________

The two extra missiles curved off, striking the sea, as the decoy system fed them flares to chase after. Now, there were the fighters inbound. The minigunner's crosshairs turned green, and he began to fire off the gun, roaring as it consumed the 10 boxes of 5000 rounds rapidly. He tracked the movements of the fighter, a red star on a black background, waiting until it was destroyed.

The airship gave a screech as it fired off 3 SkySinger missiles: these were by definition SAMs, but it did them no harm in such a massive craft. The missiles now deployed soared onto the enemy aircraft until the formation had been fed to it by the computer. A charge blew the missile to pieces, sending 150 bomblets in total at the formation, calculated to cause maximum damage.

OOC: Actually, I fired 6 radar guided missiles at you (2 AIM 120 missiles each from the 2 alert fighters, and 2 Sea Sparrow missiles from the Dove ekranoplane).

A loud bang shook the Hammer of God as a torpedo destroyed the rudder. A fire was raging in the stern, but the crew was able to put it out. Still, Hammer of God was now dying. unable to move, she would fall easy prey to missiles or artillery shells. The crew, deciding to sell their lives as dearly as possible, loaded the remaining weapons prepared for fighting to the bitter end. They only had two Harpoons left and these were fired against the incoming ships. Then they opened fire with all manner of weapons, from old artillery pieces to AA guns and even hand weapons.

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

The missile struck Fist of the Faithful midships and the explosion unfortunately caught the fuel tank. The ship exploded, sending debris raining over the sea. One the other boats, boarding teams began to climb the wires, slowly crawling upwards toward the airship. Others covered them with machine gun fire against the vessel.

"Four more inbound!"

the decoy system tried to stop the missiles, and two were successfully repelled. The other two however hit: one burst many cells along the top, while the other hit the engine gondola to the rear, blasting engines number 2 and 1 clean off, and starting a fire in gondola. The fire supressant systems came in, and filled the breached gondola with foam.

_______________________________

Meanwhile, there was fire from the boats below as some boarders began to clamber up.

"Give them something to think about lads!"

On the gantry that the harpoon had hit, a man ran across with a grenade. He dropped it and ran back inside the ship. An explosion later, and part of the gantry had been blown to pieces, the section with the harpoon attached hanging dangerously by a single thin beam.

Meanwhile, the men concealed inside began firing back, letting off harsh roars from their guns whenever the enemy fire died down. Inside, a man was busy setting up another missile launcher. He clicked a catch, and the drum of wire locked into place. He flipped up the plexiglass sights, and leant outwards aiming towards another enemy vessel below. It was chaos outside, but he had enough time to fire off the missile with the trigger, using a small stick on the side to guide the missile towards the small vessel below.

_______________________________

"We have lost engine power Fego'fai and are under attack from at least two parties. What do you reccomend?"

"Fit one of the cruise missiles in the payload, and prep it for attack. Your greatest threat is the enemy fleet. Make sure that it gets all the ships or at least scares them off. Then you can deal with them below. Until then, keep fighting till you catastrophically loose buoyancy."

The missile missed the hit the boat, tearing up a hole in the side. Slowly, the vessel began to sink.

About twelve of the attackers had died so far. Finally, the first man reached the airship. He was quickly cut down by the gunfire, but now more and more AHC soldiers entered, firing their AK-74:s against their hated enemy.

"They're onboard! Close off the areas and shoot them down."

The chatter from the assault rifles suddenly increased, then there was the unmistakable roar of an ATS-3 shotgun: the captain had joined the fray.

"Get off my airship!" he yelled as he let rip with the semi-automatic weapon at the advancing enemy.

Meanwhile, inside, an engineer had found where one of the harpoons had stuck in a joint in the frame, that had prevented the lifting gas from entering the cells. He grabbed a pair of bolt cutters from a toolkit, and began to snip at the bolt. It finally came free, and the cable it trailed whipped backwards through the hole it had torn in the airship. There was a sudden creak and the sound of whining as the entire airship began to change its shape to accomadate more gas, thus increasing its lift.

____________________________


There was a crackle over the radio, in a band the AUM knew was only used by the GM navy. The radioman hailed the Gun Manufacturers navy, hoping to scare them off.

"Good morning. We wish to inform your navy currently attacking us that we are carrying nuclear weapons: it would be a shame to detonate all 6 warheads inside the airship if we continue to be attacked by you. I'm sure for a start that the explosion will cause damage to your fleet, as well as spreading fallout across your entire coastline and giving a large number of your population cancers that they shouldn't have.

So, we wish to come to an arrangement: you stop attacking us, we don't use the nuclear weapons against you or your nation. What do you say?"

The wire fell, followed by fifteen AHC soldiers. The boat jerked as it got free of the airships weight.

Two of the soldiers were killed by the airship crew. The others roared out a battlecry and charged.

A loud bang shook the Hammer of God as a torpedo destroyed the rudder. A fire was raging in the stern, but the crew was able to put it out. Still, Hammer of God was now dying. unable to move, she would fall easy prey to missiles or artillery shells. The crew, deciding to sell their lives as dearly as possible, loaded the remaining weapons prepared for fighting to the bitter end. They only had two Harpoons left and these were fired against the incoming ships. Then they opened fire with all manner of weapons, from old artillery pieces to AA guns and even hand weapons.

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

The missile struck Fist of the Faithful midships and the explosion unfortunately caught the fuel tank. The ship exploded, sending debris raining over the sea. One the other boats, boarding teams began to climb the wires, slowly crawling upwards toward the airship. Others covered them with machine gun fire against the vessel.

OOC: What about the 18 rounds I fired from my 16" guns, the Harpoons I fired (2 Harpoon missiles for every one of your ships), and the fire from my frigates naval guns?

IC: SM-2 missiles were fired to kill the Harpoons, while EWs worked overtime to deceive them. The active and passive countermeasures were activated, and were successful in destroying one of the Harpoons, and damaging the other. The damaged Harpoon struck the carrier and punched a hole in the hull, but didn't detonate. EOD and damage crews were dispatched to deal with the missile. The artillery fire had varying degrees of success, striking some of the battlegroup and causing damage. One of the Frigates took a hit just under the waterline, and started to list to port. The battleship took a couple of hits, but its tough armor shrugged off the small artillery rounds. The helicopter on the battleship's helipad wasn't so lucky, as it took a direct hit and exploded. One of the Arleigh Burke class destroyers took a hit in its Mk 41 VLS systems. The flak and small arms fire were ineffective though, since the battlegroup was 9 miles away and out of range of such weapons.

The guns chattered as the fanatical fighters charged at them firing. One man was shot through the leg and collapsed. Random fire from the charging men managed to sever the support cables to an already weakened gantry, and part of it collapsed, carrying another man screaming to his death below.

____________________


In the engine room, the fire had not been put out and was starting to spread to the two remaining engines and, more critically, the hydrogen fuel cylinders. If they went, all 200 tonnes of hydrogen would blast the ship and everything below to oblivion, and would likely as not detonate the warheads carried onboard. The alarm system had been damaged in the fray, so could not alert the control to the fire. Hopefully, someone on the outside would notice the flames licking up the side of the airship and try and put it out, before they became history.

"WHAT THE..."

They had not expected three harpoons to come flying from the fishing boats. One of the harpoons hit a ganty and held onto that, while the other two punctured the kevlar envelope and were caught on part of the internal structure. The airship roared as the engines were pushed to maximum thrust, and there was a hiss as extra helium was diverted from the ballast tanks into the main cell network.

"Give us full upward lift. Let's pull those boats outta the water!"

The airship started moving upwards. It had a total lifting power of about 1600 tonnes, enough to drag at least one of the boats out of the water. Meanwhile, the men hidden inside began to open fire: there was the chatter of 4 assault rifles, the harsh sound indicating they were AF-07s. One man fired off a missile launcher. There was a roar and then the strange noise of the wire being towed behind it. The missile dived downwards towards one of the ships, no jamming method in the world able to divert a wire-guided weapon.
______________________________

The two extra missiles curved off, striking the sea, as the decoy system fed them flares to chase after. Now, there were the fighters inbound. The minigunner's crosshairs turned green, and he began to fire off the gun, roaring as it consumed the 10 boxes of 5000 rounds rapidly. He tracked the movements of the fighter, a red star on a black background, waiting until it was destroyed.

The airship gave a screech as it fired off 3 SkySinger missiles: these were by definition SAMs, but it did them no harm in such a massive craft. The missiles now deployed soared onto the enemy aircraft until the formation had been fed to it by the computer. A charge blew the missile to pieces, sending 150 bomblets in total at the formation, calculated to cause maximum damage.

OOC: What planes fly into combat in formation? My momma di'nt raise no fool. Well, .... ;)

IC: By now, all 16 F18s in the air had come into weapons firing range. They began taking fire from the miniguns, and began evasive maneuvers. Then the SAMs were fired at them. Flares and chaff rained from the sky, as the F18s tried to confuse and evade the missiles. Three of the F18s were not lucky enough to survive, but the fighters took solace in the fact that they would be avenged. The remaining 13 F18s were given the order to fire, and as they came in high and from different directions to avoid the minigun fire, they fired 2 AIM 120 missiles each, for a total of 26 missiles, at the blimp.

"They're onboard! Close off the areas and shoot them down."

The chatter from the assault rifles suddenly increased, then there was the unmistakable roar of an ATS-3 shotgun: the captain had joined the fray.

"Get off my airship!" he yelled as he let rip with the semi-automatic weapon at the advancing enemy.

Meanwhile, inside, an engineer had found where one of the harpoons had stuck in a joint in the frame, that had prevented the lifting gas from entering the cells. He grabbed a pair of bolt cutters from a toolkit, and began to snip at the bolt. It finally came free, and the cable it trailed whipped backwards through the hole it had torn in the airship. There was a sudden creak and the sound of whining as the entire airship began to change its shape to accomadate more gas, thus increasing its lift.

____________________________


There was a crackle over the radio, in a band the AUM knew was only used by the GM navy. The radioman hailed the Gun Manufacturers navy, hoping to scare them off.

"Good morning. We wish to inform your navy currently attacking us that we are carrying nuclear weapons: it would be a shame to detonate all 6 warheads inside the airship if we continue to be attacked by you. I'm sure for a start that the explosion will cause damage to your fleet, as well as spreading fallout across your entire coastline and giving a large number of your population cancers that they shouldn't have.

So, we wish to come to an arrangement: you stop attacking us, we don't use the nuclear weapons against you or your nation. What do you say?"

The radio operator called the bridge on the internal comm system, and informed the Admiral that they were getting a message from the airship. The Admiral ordered it transferred to a handset, and picked up. He heard the message, and a smile came over his face. He said, "I have a counter offer for you. How about you give us our weapons back, tell us who helped you steal the weapons in the first place, and we will let you limp away from here to live another day. In addition, our nation will look the other way in regards to your nation's act of war against us. Remember who fired first. I'd hate to think what could happen to your nation if we went to war".

The guns chattered as the fanatical fighters charged at them firing. One man was shot through the leg and collapsed. Random fire from the charging men managed to sever the support cables to an already weakened gantry, and part of it collapsed, carrying another man screaming to his death below.

____________________


In the engine room, the fire had not been put out and was starting to spread to the two remaining engines and, more critically, the hydrogen fuel cylinders. If they went, all 200 tonnes of hydrogen would blast the ship and everything below to oblivion, and would likely as not detonate the warheads carried onboard. The alarm system had been damaged in the fray, so could not alert the control to the fire. Hopefully, someone on the outside would notice the flames licking up the side of the airship and try and put it out, before they became history.

OOC: The airship exploding probably wouldn't set off the nukes, but it would probably destroy their ability to work, and it could possibly set off the rocket motors.

OOC: That's what I was thinking. :D

The submarine, after receiving a call that the weapons were no longer needed, decided to take the airship by surprise. Even as fighters flew above and harpoons fired, the submarine launched 6 of its T31 cruise missles. As the rocketed out of the water to their target, multiple navigation systems locked on to the airship's extreme heat, caused by fire. Each of the missles, synchronised with each other, chose different points on the airship, hoping to confuse any attempts at retaliation.

The other 2 T31s waited for counterattack.

And so the sub revealed itself.

OOC: That's what I was thinking. :D

The submarine, after receiving a call that the weapons were no longer needed, decided to take the airship by surprise. Even as fighters flew above and harpoons fired, the submarine launched 6 of its T31 cruise missles. As the rocketed out of the water to their target, multiple navigation systems locked on to the airship's extreme heat, caused by fire. Each of the missles, synchronised with each other, chose different points on the airship, hoping to confuse any attempts at retaliation.

The other 2 T31s waited for counterattack.

And so the sub revealed itself.

"Conn, Sonar! Hot noise in the water. Scratch that, 6 hot noises in the water. Bearing 318 degrees, out of range of a firing solution. They sounded like missiles fired from a sub", yelled the sonar operator over the comm system. Captain Olympus, in charge of the attack sub USS Freedom, responded by ordering the dive officer to make his depth 78 feet, and to raise the antenna. He then had the radio operator send out a message to the battlegroup informing them of what the sonar operator had picked up, and included the range and bearing.

Meanwhile, the EWs and radar technicians on the surface ships spotted the cruise missiles exit the water and streak towards the airship. Then the radio operator relayed the message from the sub to the Admiral, who ordered the ASW helos to prep, and ordered the sub skippers to keep a firm eye on the new player, in case he had an idea to turn his eye towards the battlegroup.

OOC: What about the 18 rounds I fired from my 16" guns, the Harpoons I fired (2 Harpoon missiles for every one of your ships), and the fire from my frigates naval guns?

IC: SM-2 missiles were fired to kill the Harpoons, while EWs worked overtime to deceive them. The active and passive countermeasures were activated, and were successful in destroying one of the Harpoons, and damaging the other. The damaged Harpoon struck the carrier and punched a hole in the hull, but didn't detonate. EOD and damage crews were dispatched to deal with the missile. The artillery fire had varying degrees of success, striking some of the battlegroup and causing damage. One of the Frigates took a hit just under the waterline, and started to list to port. The battleship took a couple of hits, but its tough armor shrugged off the small artillery rounds. The helicopter on the battleship's helipad wasn't so lucky, as it took a direct hit and exploded. One of the Arleigh Burke class destroyers took a hit in its Mk 41 VLS systems. The flak and small arms fire were ineffective though, since the battlegroup was 9 miles away and out of range of such weapons.

Scourge of the Infidels managed to shoot down one of the missiles. The other hit the stern of the boat, causing a fire but damaging no vital parts.

The crew onboard Silent Prayer saw artillery shells hit the water around them. A shell landed in the transport area, killing most of the soldiers there. Then both of the missiles hit, causing the fuel tank to explode. The ship sank burning.

Archangel and Servant of Heaven both managed to shoot down the missiles aimed at them. They answered with three more Harpoons and artillery fire.

The guns chattered as the fanatical fighters charged at them firing. One man was shot through the leg and collapsed. Random fire from the charging men managed to sever the support cables to an already weakened gantry, and part of it collapsed, carrying another man screaming to his death below.

____________________


In the engine room, the fire had not been put out and was starting to spread to the two remaining engines and, more critically, the hydrogen fuel cylinders. If they went, all 200 tonnes of hydrogen would blast the ship and everything below to oblivion, and would likely as not detonate the warheads carried onboard. The alarm system had been damaged in the fray, so could not alert the control to the fire. Hopefully, someone on the outside would notice the flames licking up the side of the airship and try and put it out, before they became history.


A muscular man in priest's robes was leading the attackers, screaming prayers and waving a bible while firing his assault rifle. His men gathered strength and followed him, ignoring their heavy losses.

The crew onboard Heretic's Bane noticed the flames on the airship. Water hoses were brought forth and used in a attempt to extinguish the fire.

"Right, the fleet have not responded to us, and we have incoming cruise missiles. Are the nukes ready?"

"We have two ready to use."

"Then get the sub with the convents and the fleet with the two nukes."

"TO the GM fleet: We have no intention of surrendering the nuclear weapons since you attacked us with a sub. We are instead offering you this: back down or we nuke you. You don't know are nationality, neither do you know who we are working for. Now consider your nation. Do your citizens want to remember you for allowing us to destroy your nation? No. Back down, and we will consider further negotiations."
______________________________________

The missile bay roared as 40 missiles similtaneously launched towards the sub, just as the cruise missiles hit: 2 were diverted off, but the others hit the envelope of the airship. Buoyancy was now at only 40%: any lower, and it would not be able to support itself and would collapse.

"Right, the fleet have not responded to us, and we have incoming cruise missiles. Are the nukes ready?"

"We have two ready to use."

"Then get the sub with the convents and the fleet with the two nukes."

"TO the GM fleet: We have no intention of surrendering the nuclear weapons since you attacked us with a sub. We are instead offering you this: back down or we nuke you. You don't know are nationality, neither do you know who we are working for. Now consider your nation. Do your citizens want to remember you for allowing us to destroy your nation? No. Back down, and we will consider further negotiations."
______________________________________

The missile bay roared as 40 missiles similtaneously launched towards the sub, just as the cruise missiles hit: 2 were diverted off, but the others hit the envelope of the airship. Buoyancy was now at only 40%: any lower, and it would not be able to support itself and would collapse.

The Admiral responded with "We have not attacked you with any of our subs. But even if we had, it would have been justified, as you opened hostilities by firing first. As to who you are, there aren't many armed airships being used in the world, so it won't be hard to find out who you represent. As I said, surrender the nukes, tell us who helped you steal them, and we will let you go".

OOC: What about the 26 AIM 120 missiles fired at you by my F18s?

Scourge of the Infidels managed to shoot down one of the missiles. The other hit the stern of the boat, causing a fire but damaging no vital parts.

The crew onboard Silent Prayer saw artillery shells hit the water around them. A shell landed in the transport area, killing most of the soldiers there. Then both of the missiles hit, causing the fuel tank to explode. The ship sank burning.

Archangel and Servant of Heaven both managed to shoot down the missiles aimed at them. They answered with three more Harpoons and artillery fire.

OOC: I'm assuming that you have a damaged boat, and 2 that aren't, correct?

IC: Another 6 Harpoon missiles were launched at the 3 remaining trawlers, while torpedoes from the attack subs were fired. The battleship fired another salvo from its 9 16" guns, and the frigates kept firing with their naval guns. Of the incoming 3 Harpoon missiles, one was shot down, and 2 hit the battleship, damaging it. Fire and Damage crews were sent to deal with the results.

The Admiral ordered the radio operator to notify Naval Command that they were meeting heavy resistance, that they knew where the nukes were, and that the thieves had threatened to launch the stolen nukes at ASoGM and the battlegroup in order to get away. He also informed them that there were at least two other participants in the battle, in the form of surface ships and a sub. In response, Naval Command dispatched a second battlegroup to assist the first, but to come in from the opposite direction. Naval Command also contacted the 81st Bomber wing, which launched 3 stealth bombers loaded with precision munitions, to deal with the trawlers and if possible, the sub.

The missiles came flying towards the airship, now lurching forward at a poor rate. If it hadn't have been such an old model, it would have been able to have stood up to this for much longer. But with continual damage, even an armoured airship can fail.

The comrade class airship sustained 16 hits to the main gasbag, a hit to the engines and 2 hits to the control room. There were two massive explosions as the other two engines were blasted to pieces, and the minigun ammunition exploded in the control gondola. With a scream as internal failsafe struts jammed the collapsing structure before being sheared into pieces, the airship began to lose altitude from its starting height of 250m. There was no hope of rescuing it as an explosion from one of the fuel tanks set light to the exterior kevlar envelope.

The airship hit the water in two pieces as the flaming wreckage disintegrated. Within seconds, the heavy semi-rigid frame and the gondolas had sunk below the surface, a shower of debris including the unexploded munitions and the 6 cruise missiles sinking quickly towards the seabed.

No survivors remained on the surface, covered in sheets of ripped kevlar and plastic film.

OOC: I'm assuming that you have a damaged boat, and 2 that aren't, correct?

IC: Another 6 Harpoon missiles were launched at the 3 remaining trawlers, while torpedoes from the attack subs were fired. The battleship fired another salvo from its 9 16" guns, and the frigates kept firing with their naval guns. Of the incoming 3 Harpoon missiles, one was shot down, and 2 hit the battleship, damaging it. Fire and Damage crews were sent to deal with the results.

The Admiral ordered the radio operator to notify Naval Command that they were meeting heavy resistance, that they knew where the nukes were, and that the thieves had threatened to launch the stolen nukes at ASoGM and the battlegroup in order to get away. He also informed them that there were at least two other participants in the battle, in the form of surface ships and a sub. In response, Naval Command dispatched a second battlegroup to assist the first, but to come in from the opposite direction. Naval Command also contacted the 81st Bomber wing, which launched 3 stealth bombers loaded with precision munitions, to deal with the trawlers and if possible, the sub.

OOC: Of the ones you're fighting against, yes. Then I have one damaged and one non-damaged fighting against the airship.

IC:

Scourge of the Infidels finally went down, burning after four direct hits from missiles.

Servant of Heaven managed to destroy one missile, but took a hit from the other. Burning, she turned and fled, followed by the lightly damaged Archangel, which had taken a hit from an artillery shell. The two ships rushed at maximum speed against international waters. Heretic's Bane joined up, leaving her damaged sister-ship to die.

A few survivors of the boarding team was clinging to the pieces of debris floating around. To tired to do anything, they just waited for whatever end Heaven had planned for them.

The missiles came flying towards the airship, now lurching forward at a poor rate. If it hadn't have been such an old model, it would have been able to have stood up to this for much longer. But with continual damage, even an armoured airship can fail.

The comrade class airship sustained 16 hits to the main gasbag, a hit to the engines and 2 hits to the control room. There were two massive explosions as the other two engines were blasted to pieces, and the minigun ammunition exploded in the control gondola. With a scream as internal failsafe struts jammed the collapsing structure before being sheared into pieces, the airship began to lose altitude from its starting height of 250m. There was no hope of rescuing it as an explosion from one of the fuel tanks set light to the exterior kevlar envelope.

The airship hit the water in two pieces as the flaming wreckage disintegrated. Within seconds, the heavy semi-rigid frame and the gondolas had sunk below the surface, a shower of debris including the unexploded munitions and the 6 cruise missiles sinking quickly towards the seabed.

No survivors remained on the surface, covered in sheets of ripped kevlar and plastic film.

"Order a salvage operation to begin immediately, and get some rescue helos in the air now. If there's anyone still alive from the battle, either our side or theirs, I want them found", the Admiral ordered.

Despite what it seemed like on the surface, there was a single person who was on the airship still alive. He sat trapped inside a pocket of air in the crushed gondola, looking thorugh the high-pressure glass as the remains hit the seabed. He shivered: it was getting cold. He had a broken leg from the crash landing, but was still alive. He wondered if anyone would find him. Anything they threw at him would be better than being killed in these cold dark depths.

OOC: Of the ones you're fighting against, yes. Then I have one damaged and one non-damaged fighting against the airship.

IC:

Scourge of the Infidels finally went down, burning after four direct hits from missiles.

Servant of Heaven managed to destroy one missile, but took a hit from the other. Burning, she turned and fled, followed by the lightly damaged Archangel, which had taken a hit from an artillery shell. The two ships rushed at maximum speed against international waters. Heretic's Bane joined up, leaving her damaged sister-ship to die.

A few survivors of the boarding team was clinging to the pieces of debris floating around. To tired to do anything, they just waited for whatever end Heaven had planned for them.

"Sir, the surface ships are attempting to make a run for international waters", one of the radar technicians said to the Admiral over the comm system. "We'll let them go for now. Keep the E2 Hawkeye in the air though, so we can track where they're going. Set up a refueling schedule, and order the Freedom to dive deep and follow as best as he can, as well. And order one of the other subs to keep track of that unknown sub. Someone is responsible for the loss of a lot of men and women today, and I intend to find out who. We may not be able to find out all the responsible parties, but we'll find out as many as we can", The Admiral said.

Meanwhile, a rescue helo and escort gunship located some men clinging to debris, and started hovering over them in preparation to rescue them from the cold water.

Despite what it seemed like on the surface, there was a single person who was on the airship still alive. He sat trapped inside a pocket of air in the crushed gondola, looking thorugh the high-pressure glass as the remains hit the seabed. He shivered: it was getting cold. He had a broken leg from the crash landing, but was still alive. He wondered if anyone would find him. Anything they threw at him would be better than being killed in these cold dark depths.

Since the battle happened relatively close to the mainland, a DSRV was on scene within 30 minutes, and began searching the area for the gondola, which contained the nukes.

He suddenly saw a light outside. A light from something outside. A rescue sub?

(OOC: The nukes were held outside the gondola, in the missile bay which is held inside the main gasbag. What you're looking for is either a frame with two attached or them randomly scattered across the seabed with the AAMs and ASMs.)

OOC: Deleted.

But no. It was the lights of the Shansekian sub, having ducked underwater as soon as the airship fell. As a small, mechanical claw enclosed and sealed the capsule, an airlock descended from the sub into the gondola, breaking through the glass and hitting the floor. The door started to disengage...

OOC: You can't just zip in with your sub (you stated that you were pretty far away, and you have not stated that you moved closer). You also forget that 2 of my subs are right there in the battlezone, and a third is tasked specifically to keep track of you. The forth sub is following Zaheran, so that one is out of the area.

OOC: Eh fine.

He suddenly saw a light outside. A light from something outside. A rescue sub?

(OOC: The nukes were held outside the gondola, in the missile bay which is held inside the main gasbag. What you're looking for is either a frame with two attached or them randomly scattered across the seabed with the AAMs and ASMs.)

As the DSRV got closer to the gondola, the pilot realized the nukes may not be in there. Still, he was here, and so was the gondola. He used the remote arm to attach a cable to the gondola's structure, and then moved away. The cable was attached to a crane on the recently arrived salvage ship. The salvage ship hauled up the gondola and set it on the deck, where sailors were waiting to remove the cable. The DSRV pilot began hunting again for the nukes, and soon he spotted something on his sonar.

The Shansekian sub, knowing it would not come in time anyway, approached the gondola, entering range of mostly everyone's radar. The battle over, it established active radar and started to comb the seabed for nuclear missles, knowing at least a few must've fallen out. The task was extremely difficult with the many other missles littering the seabed, but the sub's gamma-radiation radar add-on would detect the trace release of radiation, which was likely after a nuclear missle hitting the rough floor of the ocean.

Far way from the battle a lone tanker, salvaged from it's original owners by the AHC, was taking in signals from the trawlers. A voice came through the radio. "Salvation through Flame, this is Servant of Heaven. Mission failed, repeat, mission failed. We have suffered heavy casualties and are aborting the mission. Target now resting at bottom of sea, I repeat, target now resting at bottom of sea. Enemy forces in control. We are heading back".

The cardinal in charge looked at his officers. "Execute plan B. Avenge our brothers".
The men nodded. "They will be avenged". They headed of to their respective battle stations. The cardinal heard them shout in the distance. He fell on his knees and prayed for revenge for his fallen brothers, comrades in the fight against the evil the world had become. "Prepare the Tomahawks!", he heard a priest shout. He smiled. They think that they are so clever, these infidels, he thought. They will soon think otherwise when they see what God's true servants can do. They will cry, they will cry for His mercy. But the only way to salvation goes through us. And we will laugh at them as they crawl at our feet. He raised to his feet. "Fire!", he shouted. "Show them the true meaning of Hell!"
20 Tomahawks took of from the deck of the supertanker, followed by the cardinals laughter. "That is good, my children!", he roared after them. "Purge them! Burn their souls clean of sin!"

OOC: LOL, a church guy violates one of the 10 commandments...

*ahem*

The sub noticed a small blue blip on the radar, which meant a radiation signature. Ducking down, a mechanical arm grabbed the object. Biting his lips in anticipation, the arm operator took a look through the mirror. It was one of them. He quickly informed the sub via the sub's radio channel. The captain quickly sent a shortwave signal to local ships:

PssssSshhttTT...we have found one of the nuclear weapons. I repeat, we have found one of the nuclear weapons. It is safe in our grasp.

As the message transmitted, the arm operator and a few others sealed off the room and put on their biosuits, lined and heavy with lead. Slowly, the operator loaded the nuke into the airlock, and let the water pour out.

"Carefull," said one of them, picking up the engine part. "I got the engine."

Picking it up, they found a small scratch where the radiation must've been coming from. "Fill the hole up. Quick."

And they fed it into the liquid lead machine.

He was on the surface again. he felt overjoyed at this, and almost screamed. Then he realised he was in the custody of his enemy. What could he do?

OOC: You are?

The sub, unable to locate any more missles on the surface headed up. The one they DID found was now sealed and no longer leaking radiation. As the submarine surfaced, it wondered who was going to take the nukes back to Camp Bradley base.

Far way from the battle a lone tanker, salvaged from it's original owners by the AHC, was taking in signals from the trawlers. A voice came through the radio. "Salvation through Flame, this is Servant of Heaven. Mission failed, repeat, mission failed. We have suffered heavy casualties and are aborting the mission. Target now resting at bottom of sea, I repeat, target now resting at bottom of sea. Enemy forces in control. We are heading back".

The cardinal in charge looked at his officers. "Execute plan B. Avenge our brothers".
The men nodded. "They will be avenged". They headed of to their respective battle stations. The cardinal heard them shout in the distance. He fell on his knees and prayed for revenge for his fallen brothers, comrades in the fight against the evil the world had become. "Prepare the Tomahawks!", he heard a priest shout. He smiled. They think that they are so clever, these infidels, he thought. They will soon think otherwise when they see what God's true servants can do. They will cry, they will cry for His mercy. But the only way to salvation goes through us. And we will laugh at them as they crawl at our feet. He raised to his feet. "Fire!", he shouted. "Show them the true meaning of Hell!"
20 Tomahawks took of from the deck of the supertanker, followed by the cardinals laughter. "That is good, my children!", he roared after them. "Purge them! Burn their souls clean of sin!"

"Sir, incoming tomahawks from a vessel in international waters. It looks to be a supertanker that the trawlers linked up with", one of the EWs said. "Begin countermeasures, order Freedom to salvo fire on it, launch tomahawks in response, and order those stealth bombers from the 81st Bomber wing to reduce them to ash." Of the 20 tomahawks that were fired at the battlegroup, some were deceived, some were shot down by SM-2 missiles, and the CIWS got some. 3 missiles got through though, one striking the battleship in the bow, one hitting a frigate, and one hitting one of the supply ships. The frigate and supply ship were seriously damaged, and the smaller ships of the battlegroup prepared for the possibility that they'd sink. The battleship was also seriously damaged, but the tough armor reduced the likelyhood of the missile hit being a deathstroke for the ship.

Freedom opened fire with 4 Mk 48 torpedoes, then switched weapons systems and fired 4 tomahawks from its VLS tubes. Meanwhile, 16 more tomahawks from the first battlegroup were launched, and the 3 bombers, flying at 48,000 feet, dropped 4 precision munitions each (total of 12).

The second battlegroup was within 20 miles of the first battlegroup, and prepared to engage the enemy, by launching 12 F18s armed with Harpoon missiles. The first battlegroup recovered their 13 remaining F18s though, as those aircraft were low on fuel and low on missiles.

The Shansekian sub, knowing it would not come in time anyway, approached the gondola, entering range of mostly everyone's radar. The battle over, it established active radar and started to comb the seabed for nuclear missles, knowing at least a few must've fallen out. The task was extremely difficult with the many other missles littering the seabed, but the sub's gamma-radiation radar add-on would detect the trace release of radiation, which was likely after a nuclear missle hitting the rough floor of the ocean.

OOC: I think you mean sonar, not radar.

IC: The sub tasked with keeping an eye on the unknown sub made sure to stay in its baffles, to obscure where they were.

OOC: LOL, a church guy violates one of the 10 commandments...

*ahem*

The sub noticed a small blue blip on the radar, which meant a radiation signature. Ducking down, a mechanical arm grabbed the object. Biting his lips in anticipation, the arm operator took a look through the mirror. It was one of them. He quickly informed the sub via the sub's radio channel. The captain quickly sent a shortwave signal to local ships:



As the message transmitted, the arm operator and a few others sealed off the room and put on their biosuits, lined and heavy with lead. Slowly, the operator loaded the nuke into the airlock, and let the water pour out.

"Carefull," said one of them, picking up the engine part. "I got the engine."

Picking it up, they found a small scratch where the radiation must've been coming from. "Fill the hole up. Quick."

And they fed it into the liquid lead machine.

"Conn, Sonar. The unknown sub is making a ruckus on the bottom. They may have found a nuke or other weapon, sir", on of the sonar technicians said over the comm system. "Well, it's unlikely that they're looking for gold down there, Petty Officer. Don't lose them", replied the captain.

OOC: You are?

The sub, unable to locate any more missles on the surface headed up. The one they DID found was now sealed and no longer leaking radiation. As the submarine surfaced, it wondered who was going to take the nukes back to Camp Bradley base.


As the sub climbed, following the unknown sub, the captain dispatched a radio message to the battlegroup, stating that the unknown MAY have been conducting salvage operations, and MAY have salvaged a nuke or other weapon from the bottom. When the Admiral heard the message, the got the radio operator to contact the unknown sub. The message was:

"Attention unknown sub. This is ASoGM waters, and an active battleground. Stand down from whatever you're doing and state your business."

He was on the surface again. he felt overjoyed at this, and almost screamed. Then he realised he was in the custody of his enemy. What could he do?

As the gondola was set on the deck, armed marines took up guard positions around it. A plasma torch was brought over to cut into the gondola to check for anything that could be used for identification. Suddenly, the sailor with the plasma cutter noticed movement from behind the window. The marines waited for the sailor to cut an accessway through the skin of the gondola, then yelled for the person or persons to come out of the gondola unarmed with their hands up.

"I can't get out."
The airman could not move his broken leg, and though could see out into the day, was unable to get out.

"Sir, incoming tomahawks from a vessel in international waters. It looks to be a supertanker that the trawlers linked up with", one of the EWs said. "Begin countermeasures, order Freedom to salvo fire on it, launch tomahawks in response, and order those stealth bombers from the 81st Bomber wing to reduce them to ash." Of the 20 tomahawks that were fired at the battlegroup, some were deceived, some were shot down by SM-2 missiles, and the CIWS got some. 3 missiles got through though, one striking the battleship in the bow, one hitting a frigate, and one hitting one of the supply ships. The frigate and supply ship were seriously damaged, and the smaller ships of the battlegroup prepared for the possibility that they'd sink. The battleship was also seriously damaged, but the tough armor reduced the likelyhood of the missile hit being a deathstroke for the ship.

Freedom opened fire with 4 Mk 48 torpedoes, then switched weapons systems and fired 4 tomahawks from its VLS tubes. Meanwhile, 16 more tomahawks from the first battlegroup were launched, and the 3 bombers, flying at 48,000 feet, dropped 4 precision munitions each (total of 12).

The second battlegroup was within 20 miles of the first battlegroup, and prepared to engage the enemy, by launching 12 F18s armed with Harpoon missiles. The first battlegroup recovered their 13 remaining F18s though, as those aircraft were low on fuel and low on missiles.

OOC: Just to clear things up. The tanker is about 300 nm from the battle-scene. The trawlers have not reached the tanker yet, they are at the boundary of international waters. If I remember right, your sub was following the trawlers, which means your torpedoes are out of range.

IC:

The AHC managed to shoot down 16 missiles, but the remaining four struck the ship. The cardinal laughed as the ship shook beneath him. "So you want to challenge God's chosen, infidels?", he roared through the explosions. "So be it. You will face His wrath through His prophets!" He turned around. "Fire another salvo. They have challenged God and must be punished".
Another 20 missiles took of. Then, a serie of explosions once again shook the mighty ship, as the bombs from the stealth bombers hit it. Sirens shrieked as fire and rescue teams struggled to extinguish the flames licking the vessel. Soon, air-raid sirens joined in as the radar detected incoming aircraft. Sea Sparrow missiles were prepared for launching.

OOC: Just to clear things up. The tanker is about 300 nm from the battle-scene. The trawlers have not reached the tanker yet, they are at the boundary of international waters. If I remember right, your sub was following the trawlers, which means your torpedoes are out of range.

IC:

The AHC managed to shoot down 16 missiles, but the remaining four struck the ship. The cardinal laughed as the ship shook beneath him. "So you want to challenge God's chosen, infidels?", he roared through the explosions. "So be it. You will face His wrath through His prophets!" He turned around. "Fire another salvo. They have challenged God and must be punished".
Another 20 missiles took of. Then, a serie of explosions once again shook the mighty ship, as the bombs from the stealth bombers hit it. Sirens shrieked as fire and rescue teams struggled to extinguish the flames licking the vessel. Soon, air-raid sirens joined in as the radar detected incoming aircraft. Sea Sparrow missiles were prepared for launching.

OOC: Oops. I missed that part.

IC: The EW on the first carrier notified the Admiral that 20 more tomahawks were inbound. The Admiral ordered both battlegroups to begin countermeasures and deception immediately. SM-2 missiles were launched to counter the missiles, and coupled with the countermeasures, were completely successful. Tomahawks from both battlegroups were fired in retaliation, with a total of 40 streaking towards the supertanker. The 12 F18s launched from the second carrier came into missile range, and fired 2 Harpoon missiles each, for a total of 24 Harpoons. The 3 stealth bombers released the last of their precision munitions, with 12 bombs released in total. Then, they turned to head away from the engagement.

"I can't get out."
The airman could not move his broken leg, and though could see out into the day, was unable to get out.

As a medical team was called, one of the marines handed off his rifle, drew his pistol, and entered the gondola. He checked the man to make sure there was no weapon on him, and check his broken leg. When the medical team arrived, they put a splint on the man's leg, placed him on the stretcher, and brought him, under marine escort, to sick bay. There, they sedated him, and put a cast on his leg. They then placed him in a bed, and placed restraints on his arms, good leg, and torso.

Seven Tomahawks hit the ship, causing yet more fires but damaging no vital parts. One missile hit the hospital section, killing 150 wounded AHC soldiers. The airstrike was met with AA missiles and guns. 10 of the Harpoons hit, causing moderate damage. They were answered by fifty Sea Sparrows fired against the aircraft. The bombs from the stealth bombers hit the ship, damaging it even more. The last 10 Tomahawks were fired. The cardinal just laughted at the damage caused to his ship. "Can't you do better, infidels?", he roared at the airplanes. "Is that everything you can do?"

The man lay in the dark medical bay. What would happen next? Most likely interrogation and death. If he could only get these straps off...

OOC: I already sent out a transmission confirming I did pick it up...but eh.

"Stupid, ignorant, lazy, nosy..." the captain muttered, and a whole other range of words. "It's not like we're going to use it. Whatever. Ensign!"

"Yes sir?" reported the radio officer, Ensign George Cowell.

"Send a message, telling them we mean no harm. We are simply trying to help get the missles back to their home. And tell the weapons crew to unarm."

"Yes sir."

Pssshtttttt...no intent of harm. I repeat, we have no intent of harm. We are trying to help return the missles. We are lowering our weapons.

As nearby subs, trawlers, and the like received the message, a noticeable drop in light from the sub occured, and the sub made no attempt to disguise the withdrawl of torpedoes out of their tubes. While the two cruise missles were still in their bays, power had been cut off to them.

Seven Tomahawks hit the ship, causing yet more fires but damaging no vital parts. One missile hit the hospital section, killing 150 wounded AHC soldiers. The airstrike was met with AA missiles and guns. 10 of the Harpoons hit, causing moderate damage. They were answered by fifty Sea Sparrows fired against the aircraft. The bombs from the stealth bombers hit the ship, damaging it even more. The last 10 Tomahawks were fired. The cardinal just laughted at the damage caused to his ship. "Can't you do better, infidels?", he roared at the airplanes. "Is that everything you can do?"

OOC: What the hell is the ship made of, Adamantium?

IC: It appeared to rain chaff, as the 12 F18s launched countermeasures, and began evasive maneuvers, while the stealth bombers also launched their chaff. Still, 6 F18s were hit with the Sea Sparrows. The other 6 F-18s withdrew to 55 nautical miles, beyond the range of the Sea Sparrow, but not beyond the range of the Harpoon. There, they fired the last of their 4 Harpoon missiles each, for a total of 24 missiles. Another 12 F-18s were prepped, also with Harpoon missiles, and they were in the air before the remaining 6 F18s could land. The EA-6B Prowlers that had been launched previously landed and 4 more took their place, each one loaded with 4 AGM-88 HARM missiles. They would accompany the F18s to the target, but while the F18s would stay beyond the range of the Sea Sparrows, the EA-6B Prowlers would go much closer.

The active and passive countermeasures activated by the 2 battlegroups, combined with SM-2 missile launches, shot down all but 1 of the Tomahawks. The Tomahawk struck the first carrier just above the waterline, and tore a vicious hole in the side. Fire and damage crews were called to the area, in the hopes of preventing the ship from taking on too much water, and listing.

The man lay in the dark medical bay. What would happen next? Most likely interrogation and death. If he could only get these straps off...

The doctor arrived back in sick bay, flanked by 4 marines armed with M16s. The doctor checked the IV that had been placed in the man's arm while he was sedated, looked at the chart, at the medical monitors, and then turned and asked the man, "Are you hungry? I can get someone to get you something from the galley, if you want".

OOC: I already sent out a transmission confirming I did pick it up...but eh.

"Stupid, ignorant, lazy, nosy..." the captain muttered, and a whole other range of words. "It's not like we're going to use it. Whatever. Ensign!"

"Yes sir?" reported the radio officer, Ensign George Cowell.

"Send a message, telling them we mean no harm. We are simply trying to help get the missles back to their home. And tell the weapons crew to unarm."

"Yes sir."



As nearby subs, trawlers, and the like received the message, a noticeable drop in light from the sub occured, and the sub made no attempt to disguise the withdrawl of torpedoes out of their tubes. While the two cruise missles were still in their bays, power had been cut off to them.

OOC: Oops, missed that.

IC: "Ah, finally some good news today", the Admiral replied with a smile. "Would you be interested in helping with the salvage operation? I'm sure my government would pay you well for helping to secure what had been stolen from us, as well as any other equipment or material from the battle".

Meanwhile, a rescue helo and escort gunship located some men clinging to debris, and started hovering over them in preparation to rescue them from the cold water.

OOC: Forgot about this.

IC: A rescue basket was lowered towards the men in the water, and a diver was preparing to go into the water, if it was necessary.

To the admiral:

Nah, 1 nuke is enough. Send a canoe or something to pick up the missle, adn we're off.

-Sub Captain

OOC: Don't tell me my 6 cruise missles were the airship's KO. I would have a heart attack :P

To the admiral:

Nah, 1 nuke is enough. Send a canoe or something to pick up the missle, adn we're off.

-Sub Captain

OOC: Don't tell me my 6 cruise missles were the airship's KO. I would have a heart attack :P

OOC: Nope, I fired 26 AIM 120s that were the straw that broke the camel's back.

IC: A helo, fitted with a cable tether and sling, took off to recover the nuke. When it reached the sub, it hovered and waited for the sling to be placed around the nuke.

"Careful," said the captain. "I don't want gamma all over my ship."

The missle, now wrapped in a cotton blanket (no one really knew why), was slowly brought to the top of the submarine, which had just resurfaced. Loading the missle carefully onto the helo's medical bed, being used as a loading bay, they watched it rise into the helo. "There we go." said the captain. "Let's get home."

The sub quietly drove away on electric-diesel power.

OOC: Remember it's electric-diesel. When battery-operated, they're quieter than nuclear subs.

"Careful," said the captain. "I don't want gamma all over my ship."

The missle, now wrapped in a cotton blanket (no one really knew why), was slowly brought to the top of the submarine, which had just resurfaced. Loading the missle carefully onto the helo's medical bed, being used as a loading bay, they watched it rise into the helo. "There we go." said the captain. "Let's get home."

The sub quietly drove away on electric-diesel power.

OOC: Remember it's electric-diesel. When battery-operated, they're quieter than nuclear subs.

As the helo gained altitude and headed back towards the salvage ship with the missile, one of the crew noticed the sub leaving. He waved, although he realized they probably wouldn't see him. The Admiral, aboard the first carrier, sent a final radio message to the sub saying, "Thank you for your help. Maybe later on down the road, we can return the favor".

OOC: What the hell is the ship made of, Adamantium?

IC: It appeared to rain chaff, as the 12 F18s launched countermeasures, and began evasive maneuvers, while the stealth bombers also launched their chaff. Still, 6 F18s were hit with the Sea Sparrows. The other 6 F-18s withdrew to 55 nautical miles, beyond the range of the Sea Sparrow, but not beyond the range of the Harpoon. There, they fired the last of their 4 Harpoon missiles each, for a total of 24 missiles. Another 12 F-18s were prepped, also with Harpoon missiles, and they were in the air before the remaining 6 F18s could land. The EA-6B Prowlers that had been launched previously landed and 4 more took their place, each one loaded with 4 AGM-88 HARM missiles. They would accompany the F18s to the target, but while the F18s would stay beyond the range of the Sea Sparrows, the EA-6B Prowlers would go much closer.

The active and passive countermeasures activated by the 2 battlegroups, combined with SM-2 missile launches, shot down all but 1 of the Tomahawks. The Tomahawk struck the first carrier just above the waterline, and tore a vicious hole in the side. Fire and damage crews were called to the area, in the hopes of preventing the ship from taking on too much water, and listing.

OOC: Was. Looking at that post, it won't even be much left for the fish to play with.

IC:

Having shot off most of it's countermeasures, Salvation through Flame only managed to shoot down three of the Harpoons. The others gave the ship her death-blow. Through massive holes in the hull she slowly began to sink, with black smoke coming from the many fires raging onboard. One massive explosion shook the ship when the ammunition exploded, another when the fire reached the fuel tank. The ship broke in two pieces, still burning. In one of the lifeboats escaping from the scene, the cardinal watched the giant ship's agony, swearing an oath of revenge against whoever had caused the catastrophe.

OOC: Was. Looking at that post, it won't even be much left for the fish to play with.

IC:

Having shot off most of it's countermeasures, Salvation through Flame only managed to shoot down three of the Harpoons. The others gave the ship her death-blow. Through massive holes in the hull she slowly began to sink, with black smoke coming from the many fires raging onboard. One massive explosion shook the ship when the ammunition exploded, another when the fire reached the fuel tank. The ship broke in two pieces, still burning. In one of the lifeboats escaping from the scene, the cardinal watched the giant ship's agony, swearing an oath of revenge against whoever had caused the catastrophe.

One of the radar operators on the E2 Hawkeye confirmed the explosion and breakup of the supertanker to the battlegroup. Also noted was that several lifeboats were launched from the supertanker.

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

The Admiral recalled the F18s and the EA-6Bs, set up a combat air patrol, and reported to Naval Command that the battle appeared to be over. The Virginia class attack sub that was following the trawlers stayed in deep water and in their baffles, to prevent detection. The damaged ships were ordered back to the naval port, where repairs could begin. Since this included the Admiral's carrier, he put the captain of the second carrier in charge of the rest of the operation.

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

The DSRV's sonar had picked up a large section of the destroyed airship, which turned out to be a frame with 2 of the stolen nuclear tomahawks attached. After the cable from the salvage ship was attached to the frame, it was hauled up and placed on deck.

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

The pilot of the rescue helo was running out of patience waiting for the two men in the water to swim to the basket. He instructed the diver to jump in, and assist the men to the basket. As the escort gunship hovered nearby, the diver went in, grabbed the first guy, and hauled him to the basket.

OOC: Bump for responses by Alfegos and Zaheran.

OOC: Are those men in the water belonging to me or Alfegos?

"I'm not hungry, no."

The man suddenly retched, and vomited the meagre conetnts of his stomach across the medical bay floor. He collapsed in a clammy sweat, and blacked out.

OOC: Are those men in the water belonging to me or Alfegos?

OOC: They're yours, from one of the trawlers (you said they were clinging to wreckage, too tired to do anything).

"I'm not hungry, no."

The man suddenly retched, and vomited the meagre conetnts of his stomach across the medical bay floor. He collapsed in a clammy sweat, and blacked out.

The doctor checked his vitals again, checked his eyes for proper dilation, drew blood for tests, and ordered a full chest and head CT and MRI. One of the nurses grabbed the biohazard kit, and clean up the vomit and sterilized the area.

OOC: They're yours, from one of the trawlers (you said they were clinging to wreckage, too tired to do anything).


OOC: Okay. Thanks.

IC:

Both of the men, one of them dressed in priest robes, were nearly unconscious and couldn't do much resistance. The priest weakly tried to draw his pistol, mumbling a prayer. The other man didn't do anything, just hanging in the diver's grip.

OOC: Okay. Thanks.

IC:

Both of the men, one of them dressed in priest robes, were nearly unconscious and couldn't do much resistance. The priest weakly tried to draw his pistol, mumbling a prayer. The other man didn't do anything, just hanging in the diver's grip.

The diver forced the first man into the basket, which then began to ascend to the rescue helo. The diver turned towards the second man, and saw him struggling to draw a pistol. The diver dove underwater, swam under the man, and surfaced behind him. He then made a grab at the gun, and said, "Don't try it, or I'll leave you out here for the sharks. They'll be here soon, with all the dead bodies in the water".

The diver forced the first man into the basket, which then began to ascend to the rescue helo. The diver turned towards the second man, and saw him struggling to draw a pistol. The diver dove underwater, swam under the man, and surfaced behind him. He then made a grab at the gun, and said, "Don't try it, or I'll leave you out here for the sharks. They'll be here soon, with all the dead bodies in the water".

The pistol fell out of the priest's weak grip. "Burn in Hell!" was the last thing he managed to say before falling unconscious.

A few hours later, the man woke up. He groaned, and then saw his skin was turning blue. Did he have TCV-09? He hadn't had thevaccination, but couldn't tell where he could have picked it up...

The pistol fell out of the priest's weak grip. "Burn in Hell!" was the last thing he managed to say before falling unconscious.

When the man passed out, the diver made sure to keep his head above water. The man that was in the rescue basket had been taken out, handcuffed, and had a blanket thrown around him to keep him warm. As the diver and the man waited for the basket to be lowered back down, the diver noticed a fin break the surface of the water about 20 yards from him. When the basket had been lowered down for the second man, the diver forced him into it. As the basket raised back up with the second man, the diver felt something brush his leg underwater. When the basket reached the helo, the second man received the same treatment as the first. The basket was lowered for the final time, and the diver swam towards it. As he was climbing in, he felt something tug at his foot. As he settled into the basket, he pulled his feet in, and noticed that a shark had taken a bite out of his left fin. A couple of inches more, and he'd have lost his toes.

The rescue helo, once it had everyone on board, headed to the second carrier, where the 2 men pulled from the water were placed in the sick bay, restrained and under heavy guard.

A few hours later, the man woke up. He groaned, and then saw his skin was turning blue. Did he have TCV-09? He hadn't had thevaccination, but couldn't tell where he could have picked it up...

OOC: What is TCV-09?

IC: The doctors worked to figure out why the man was starting to turn blue. Blood tests and the head/chest CT and MRI were still being processed. The man's temperature was taken, and a blood/ox monitor was put into use. Not taking any chances, bio suits and quarantine procedures were ordered for all personnel that had contact with the prisoner.

The DSRV was working overtime to find the final 3 nuclear tomahawks. It located one partially obscured by wreckage, another was located a short distance away, and the final one was mixed with a couple of the conventional missiles from the airship.

All 3 nukes were hauled up from the bottom, and the DSRV shifted its focus to locating any debris from ASoGM casualties, and on the conventional missiles.

OOC: A nasty little virus with symptons like cholera, but much more lethal. It originated in Toopoxica (suspected bioweapon?) and since a vaccine has been found. However, very infection and very nasty.

OOC: A nasty little virus with symptons like cholera, but much more lethal. It originated in Toopoxica (suspected bioweapon?) and since a vaccine has been found. However, very infection and very nasty.

OOC: So, does he have it?

(OOC: Yes, if that is OK)

The priest woke up. Where am I?, he thought. Am I dead? Slowly, his memories returned. He remembered the feeling of flying through the air as the trawler exploded, the pain when his body hit the water, the endless struggle to keep his head over the water. He remembered looking at the infidel diver, and then he remembered...nothing. He figured he had been taken prisoner by the enemy. What can I do? I must escape. By the Lord, they must pay for this.

(OOC: Yes, if that is OK)

OOC: That's fine. At worst, I'll lose the crew of the salvage ship and the DSRV. Another quick question, though. Is it detectable by a blood test?

The priest woke up. Where am I?, he thought. Am I dead? Slowly, his memories returned. He remembered the feeling of flying through the air as the trawler exploded, the pain when his body hit the water, the endless struggle to keep his head over the water. He remembered looking at the infidel diver, and then he remembered...nothing. He figured he had been taken prisoner by the enemy. What can I do? I must escape. By the Lord, they must pay for this.

The doctor was about to draw blood when the patient woke up. The doctor said, "Hello there. My name is Dr Stanick. I'm just going to draw some blood to run some tests on you. Are you feeling well? I don't see any broken bones or obvious trauma, but do you have any pain? Would you like something to eat?". One of the armed marine guards picked up a phone and called the captain and informed him that one of the prisoners from the trawler was awake.

OOC: Where are your trawlers that ran, currently? My sub is still following them.

The doctor was about to draw blood when the patient woke up. The doctor said, "Hello there. My name is Dr Stanick. I'm just going to draw some blood to run some tests on you. Are you feeling well? I don't see any broken bones or obvious trauma, but do you have any pain? Would you like something to eat?". One of the armed marine guards picked up a phone and called the captain and informed him that one of the prisoners from the trawler was awake.

OOC: Where are your trawlers that ran, currently? My sub is still following them.

OOC: Heading for the survivors from the tanker. Should be about 50 nm from the scene.

IC: When he heard the doctor's voice, the priest was filled with rage. Who do this infidel swine think he is, treating a true servant of God like a little child?, he thought. I shall kill him and all of his kind! Then he calmed down. He had to regain his strength and find out more about where he was and how to escape. For the moment, it was better to trick them into believing that he was harmless. He coughed. "Yes, I would like something to eat. My arms hurt a bit, but otherwise i feel good, just a bit weak".

(Yeah, its very detectable)

OOC: Heading for the survivors from the tanker. Should be about 50 nm from the scene.

IC: When he heard the doctor's voice, the priest was filled with rage. Who do this infidel swine think he is, treating a true servant of God like a little child?, he thought. I shall kill him and all of his kind! Then he calmed down. He had to regain his strength and find out more about where he was and how to escape. For the moment, it was better to trick them into believing that he was harmless. He coughed. "Yes, I would like something to eat. My arms hurt a bit, but otherwise i feel good, just a bit weak".

One of the guards called down to the galley to bring some soup and a sandwich up to the sick bay. The doctor examined the man's arms one at a time to see if there was any trauma, didn't find anything except some surface contusions, and ordered an X Ray of both arms.

(Yeah, its very detectable)

One of the blood tests came back showing some sort of viral infection, similar to Cholera. The doctor said to the man, "It appears that you have been exposed to some form of Cholera". The doctor ordered the standard treatment for Cholera, rehydration.

One of the guards called down to the galley to bring some soup and a sandwich up to the sick bay. The doctor examined the man's arms one at a time to see if there was any trauma, didn't find anything except some surface contusions, and ordered an X Ray of both arms.

The priest patiently let the doctor examine him, deciding that he still was to weak to try to escape.

We could sell you some to replenish your lost inventory. See here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=545963) for more info.

May you get your "Weapons Always Ready"!

We could sell you some to replenish your lost inventory. See here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=545963) for more info.

May you get your "Weapons Always Ready"!

OOC: Read the entire thread, please. The nukes were recovered. Also, IF they hadn't, I'm a big enough nation to be able to handle nuke production (after all, these nuclear Tomahawk missiles didn't appear out of thin air).

The priest patiently let the doctor examine him, deciding that he still was to weak to try to escape.

Dr Stanick didn't find any evidence of any injury more than minor trauma to the arms. At worst, the man was looking at a muscle pull or ligament strain/sprain. Just after Dr Stanick finished the examination, one of the galley staff arrived with the soup and sandwiches. Understandably, the man couldn't be allowed to be freed from his restraints, but he was allowed one arm free to eat, while the armed marine guards stood post and watched him. Dr Stanick said to him, "I never got your name, and I'll need it for the chart. Also, I assume at some point, the captain will wish to speak to you. Maybe after lunch, you'd be up to answering some of his questions?".

Dr Stanick didn't find any evidence of any injury more than minor trauma to the arms. At worst, the man was looking at a muscle pull or ligament strain/sprain. Just after Dr Stanick finished the examination, one of the galley staff arrived with the soup and sandwiches. Understandably, the man couldn't be allowed to be freed from his restraints, but he was allowed one arm free to eat, while the armed marine guards stood post and watched him. Dr Stanick said to him, "I never got your name, and I'll need it for the chart. Also, I assume at some point, the captain will wish to speak to you. Maybe after lunch, you'd be up to answering some of his questions?".

"Heinrich Müller", the priest said while munching on the sandwich. "Yes, I will answer your captain's questions as soon as I'm finished. So, doctor, how is my medical condition?"

"Heinrich Müller", the priest said while munching on the sandwich. "Yes, I will answer your captain's questions as soon as I'm finished. So, doctor, how is my medical condition?"

"Medically speaking, you're not too bad off. You were in the water a while, so you did suffer a little bit of exposure due to the cold water temps. That, coupled with your soreness, makes me want to keep you here under observation for another day or two, just to be certain that there's nothing I missed. It's your friend I'm worried about. He's been unconscious since he was pulled from the water. His head and chest CT and MRI don't show any major injury that would keep him unconscious this long, and his vitals are normal".

"He is not strong enough in his faith. God has taken His hand from him. I will pray for his soul".

"Ah, you're religious. After you speak with the captain, would you like to speak to our ship's chaplain?".

OOC: Time warp!! :D

"Medically speaking, you're not too bad off. You were in the water a while, so you did suffer a little bit of exposure due to the cold water temps. That, coupled with your soreness, makes me want to keep you here under observation for another day or two, just to be certain that there's nothing I missed. It's your friend I'm worried about. He's been unconscious since he was pulled from the water. His head and chest CT and MRI don't show any major injury that would keep him unconscious this long, and his vitals are normal".

"He is not strong enough in his faith. God has taken His hand from him. I will pray for his soul".

"Ah, you're religious. After you speak with the captain, would you like to speak to our ship's chaplain?".

OOC: Time warp!! :D

"I would like that very much".

"I would like that very much".

"I shall contact him and let him know that you will speak to him after the captain has visited", Dr Stanick replied. After Heinrich was finished eating, the captain arrived to ask him some questions. The captain said, "My name is Captain Cabunt. I would like you to explain who you are, who you represent, and why you and your compatriots fired on vessels from the ASoGM, while they were in ASoGM waters. You and your friends killed a lot of good men and women today, and got a lot of your people killed too".

OOC: Captain Cabunt is a no nonsense kind of guy. He speaks his mind, and doesn't give a damn about hurting peoples feelings, no matter who they are. That's why he's not an Admiral (although he should be).

OOC: still waiting for Alfegos to respond.

"I shall contact him and let him know that you will speak to him after the captain has visited", Dr Stanick replied. After Heinrich was finished eating, the captain arrived to ask him some questions. The captain said, "My name is Captain Cabunt. I would like you to explain who you are, who you represent, and why you and your compatriots fired on vessels from the ASoGM, while they were in ASoGM waters. You and your friends killed a lot of good men and women today, and got a lot of your people killed too".

OOC: Captain Cabunt is a no nonsense kind of guy. He speaks his mind, and doesn't give a damn about hurting peoples feelings, no matter who they are. That's why he's not an Admiral (although he should be).

"I am Heinrich Müller, captain in the Army of the Holy Cross. Our mission was to acquire nuclear weapons for use gainst the godless Alfegans. We wished your people no harm, as they would have been exterminated anyway when the Lord returns, but they chosed to to stand in our way and payed the price for that. Our men died for a good cause and will be treated like heroes in Heaven".

(Sorry)

The man continued to go in and out of sweating and vomiting, yet he knew the rehydration therapy wouldn't work. The diease, if not treated with an anti-serum, owuld soon reach his lungs and cause him to drowm in blood and dead cells.

"I am Heinrich Müller, captain in the Army of the Holy Cross. Our mission was to acquire nuclear weapons for use gainst the godless Alfegans. We wished your people no harm, as they would have been exterminated anyway when the Lord returns, but they chosed to to stand in our way and payed the price for that. Our men died for a good cause and will be treated like heroes in Heaven".

Captain Cabunt wrote down what Heinrich said and replied with, "There are easier ways to acquire nuclear weapons than to attack a battlegroup. And your men died committing an act of war against a sovereign nation. I can guarantee your group, The Army of the Holy Cross, won't be getting away with this aggression".

Meanwhile, the chaplain arrived, not realizing the captain was in sick bay.

(Sorry)

The man continued to go in and out of sweating and vomiting, yet he knew the rehydration therapy wouldn't work. The diease, if not treated with an anti-serum, owuld soon reach his lungs and cause him to drowm in blood and dead cells.

The doctor was having no success figuring out what this was. It had symptoms like Cholera, but wasn't responsive to the standard Cholera treatment. He checked online to see if there was any information on the disease. He stumbled upon some rumors online of an airborne disease similar to Cholera, but this disease was relatively new, and little information was available. Meanwhile, 2 of the guards and one of the nurses that had come into contact with the man were starting to show similar symptoms. The doctor went back to the man and asked, "What can you tell me of TCV-09?"

"TCV-09? It was a rumoured biological weapon release in Toopoxica that started this off, and then it spread... there is a vaccine they gave en masse to control it in Alfegos and now its only something like 1 in 100000. But once you have it, it attacks your guts, then your lungs, and then you die. There is no cure except for the anti-serum, as it is viral. Everyone on my airship would have died. Your entire ship will die if you don't get the anti-serum fast. And the only antiserum between us and Alfegos was on our airship before it got shot down..."

"TCV-09? It was a rumoured biological weapon release in Toopoxica that started this off, and then it spread... there is a vaccine they gave en masse to control it in Alfegos and now its only something like 1 in 100000. But once you have it, it attacks your guts, then your lungs, and then you die. There is no cure except for the anti-serum, as it is viral. Everyone on my airship would have died. Your entire ship will die if you don't get the anti-serum fast. And the only antiserum between us and Alfegos was on our airship before it got shot down..."

"It should be in the gondola, correct? I'll get someone to search it immediately if it is". The doctor also called the captain of the salvage ship to inform him that a potentially deadly viral infection was loose on the ship. He asked that the ships crew be quarantined from the rest of the battlegroup until the infection can be stopped. He also asked the captain to put a call into the government of Alfegos, to see if a large enough quantity of anti-serum could be obtained.

"Yeah, it'll be at the rear of the gondola by the gasbag access hatch."

He paused to throw up.

"Get it as quickly as you can. You really do not want to suffer from the final stages of this, and neither do I."
_________________________________

HEALTH MINISTRY TELEGRAM

AMPLE SUPPLIES OF ANTISERUM EXIST STOP
SENDING SUPPLIES VIA EKRANOPLAN STOP
EXPECT DELIVERY WITHIN 12 HOURS STOP
BEST OF LUCK FULL STOP

"Yeah, it'll be at the rear of the gondola by the gasbag access hatch."

He paused to throw up.

"Get it as quickly as you can. You really do not want to suffer from the final stages of this, and neither do I."
_________________________________

HEALTH MINISTRY TELEGRAM

AMPLE SUPPLIES OF ANTISERUM EXIST STOP
SENDING SUPPLIES VIA EKRANOPLAN STOP
EXPECT DELIVERY WITHIN 12 HOURS STOP
BEST OF LUCK FULL STOP

The doctor had one of the marines go to the gondola to get the anti-serum. When the marine arrived, he rifled through the area that the man had indicated, and soon found it. He rushed back to the sick bay, where the doctor was waiting.
_________________________________

The captain received the telegram, and breathed a sigh of relief. Hopefully nobody on his ship would die from the viral infection.



OOC: How much serum would have been on the airship?

Captain Cabunt wrote down what Heinrich said and replied with, "There are easier ways to acquire nuclear weapons than to attack a battlegroup. And your men died committing an act of war against a sovereign nation. I can guarantee your group, The Army of the Holy Cross, won't be getting away with this aggression".

Meanwhile, the chaplain arrived, not realizing the captain was in sick bay.

"Of course we will get away with it. We are destined to crush all infidels and heretics. Your time will come, my friend. You and your friends have", he laughted, "a bright future. Better bring some sunblock, buddy. You'll need it were you're going".

(Serum-wise, there would be enough doses for 8 people on the airship. The health ministry are sending enough for a small city)

IC:
In the sickbay, the man lay unconcious now, the anti-serum linked to his arm. This potent mixture would clump and destroy all loose TCV-09 viruses in his body, giving his body a chance to hunt down the infected cells and destroy them.
_______________________________

At Old Zevkhay Seaport, there was a screech as the jet engines on an Albatross-class ekranoplan transport roared to life. The dock hands ran from the craft, sealing the payload doors as the engines began to move the craft from its dry mount rails on the dockside. There was a splash as it hit the water, followed by a deafening wail as the engines hit full power. The ekranoplan crusied out of the harbour, before being guided to the correct sealane: the only one that was left undredged.
The ekranoplan began to glide above the sea surface as it rocketed across the sea, leaving a thin white wake in its trail. Within 5 minutes it would be in international waters, and within 15 minutes would be outside Novan shipping authority. It would take 12 hours with calm seas to get to the infected ship, where the massive load of medicine, anti serum and doctors would quickly work out the extent of the infection and control it.

"Of course we will get away with it. We are destined to crush all infidels and heretics. Your time will come, my friend. You and your friends have", he laughted, "a bright future. Better bring some sunblock, buddy. You'll need it were you're going".

It was Captain Cabunt's turn to laugh. "I highly doubt a bunch of zealots and religious madmen like yourselves will survive long enough to affect my nation, my battlegroup, my ship, my crew, or me". With that he left, still chuckling at the zealot's hollow threats. The chaplain moved closer to Heinrich and said, "I'm glad you agreed to see me. What may I help you with? Confession? Counsel? Maybe a prayer?"

(Serum-wise, there would be enough doses for 8 people on the airship. The health ministry are sending enough for a small city)

IC:
In the sickbay, the man lay unconcious now, the anti-serum linked to his arm. This potent mixture would clump and destroy all loose TCV-09 viruses in his body, giving his body a chance to hunt down the infected cells and destroy them.
_______________________________

At Old Zevkhay Seaport, there was a screech as the jet engines on an Albatross-class ekranoplan transport roared to life. The dock hands ran from the craft, sealing the payload doors as the engines began to move the craft from its dry mount rails on the dockside. There was a splash as it hit the water, followed by a deafening wail as the engines hit full power. The ekranoplan crusied out of the harbour, before being guided to the correct sealane: the only one that was left undredged.
The ekranoplan began to glide above the sea surface as it rocketed across the sea, leaving a thin white wake in its trail. Within 5 minutes it would be in international waters, and within 15 minutes would be outside Novan shipping authority. It would take 12 hours with calm seas to get to the infected ship, where the massive load of medicine, anti serum and doctors would quickly work out the extent of the infection and control it.

The number of infected crew had risen to 14, and the doctor took the remaining doses of anti-serum, and administered it to the sickest patients first. Surprisingly, he didn't feel affected by the virus, but it was possible that the infection was working through his body slower than the others.

It was Captain Cabunt's turn to laugh. "I highly doubt a bunch of zealots and religious madmen like yourselves will survive long enough to affect my nation, my battlegroup, my ship, my crew, or me". With that he left, still chuckling at the zealot's hollow threats. The chaplain moved closer to Heinrich and said, "I'm glad you agreed to see me. What may I help you with? Confession? Counsel? Maybe a prayer?"

"I'm not the one needing a prayer. Pray for your own soul, heretic, and for all the souls onboard this ship of damned souls". He laughted madly. "I can see your soul. It is black like the night, and it bears the Mark of the Beast. Satan will claim your soul, heretic. Eternal suffering will be your fate". He smiled slyly. "But it is not to late. Your soul can still be purified. Join the Cause and abandon your sinful ways. Release me, and you will be saved. Release me, and you will not suffer Hell".

"I'm not the one needing a prayer. Pray for your own soul, heretic, and for all the souls onboard this ship of damned souls". He laughted madly. "I can see your soul. It is black like the night, and it bears the Mark of the Beast. Satan will claim your soul, heretic. Eternal suffering will be your fate". He smiled slyly. "But it is not to late. Your soul can still be purified. Join the Cause and abandon your sinful ways. Release me, and you will be saved. Release me, and you will not suffer Hell".

"I think the captain was right and that you are a madman. I am neither a heretic or damned, and my only sins are enjoying chocolate too much and the occasional swear. Both of which I ask for forgiveness from the Lord. What cause do you support that would cause you to break the 6th commandment, and why do you think that I, an officer of the ASoGM navy, would let you go?

"I think the captain was right and that you are a madman. I am neither a heretic or damned, and my only sins are enjoying chocolate too much and the occasional swear. Both of which I ask for forgiveness from the Lord. What cause do you support that would cause you to break the 6th commandment, and why do you think that I, an officer of the ASoGM navy, would let you go?

"The greatest sin of them all is to not follow the Cause, my friend. You are guilty of that sin, and because of that you will burn. You are right in that breaking the 6th Commandment is a sin, but sometimes it can be neccessary in the pursuit of the greater good. You ask me what the Cause is; I tell you it is salvation. Only through offering the souls of the infidels and heretics can mankind free itself of sin. We are cleansing the world of the Damned, and soon the Lord himself will join us in our work. A great fire will sweep the world, after which only those pure of heart will remain, living forever in Paradise. I think you do not want to be cleansed away, so free me, and you will be saved. Tell me, is your career more important to you than your soul?"

"The greatest sin of them all is to not follow the Cause, my friend. You are guilty of that sin, and because of that you will burn. You are right in that breaking the 6th Commandment is a sin, but sometimes it can be neccessary in the pursuit of the greater good. You ask me what the Cause is; I tell you it is salvation. Only through offering the souls of the infidels and heretics can mankind free itself of sin. We are cleansing the world of the Damned, and soon the Lord himself will join us in our work. A great fire will sweep the world, after which only those pure of heart will remain, living forever in Paradise. I think you do not want to be cleansed away, so free me, and you will be saved. Tell me, is your career more important to you than your soul?"

"You are mistaken that offering the souls of infidels and heretics will rid you of sin. It is through asking forgiveness from the Lord that we are freed from sin. Remember, Jesus said, 'He who is without sin, cast the first stone'. You are not without sin, therefore you may not cast the first stone. Also, my career is that of a chaplain. I spread the word of the Lord to those on my ship, and help my shipmates become closer to Him".

"You are mistaken that offering the souls of infidels and heretics will rid you of sin. It is through asking forgiveness from the Lord that we are freed from sin. Remember, Jesus said, 'He who is without sin, cast the first stone'. You are not without sin, therefore you may not cast the first stone. Also, my career is that of a chaplain. I spread the word of the Lord to those on my ship, and help my shipmates become closer to Him".


"I do not judge the heretics and infidels, that the Lord has already done. I only carry out His punishment. Therefore I do not throw the first stone, I am but a servant. As He spoke to the first Prophet of the Cause; "Thou shalt drive the heretic's from my sight and thou shalt purge their souls with fire". Neglecting to do so is to go against his will".

(12 hour timewarp allowed?)

The ekranoplan screamed as it came towards the vessel. Luckily, it was still moored away from land and away form other ships. The entire area wouldn't need decontam, but the ship would.

The side doors at the rear of the ekranoplan opened and let water into the rear. 2 speedboats launched out the side as the water was pumped out through the floor gaps, and the side doors closed. Each sppedboat had 8 men and many large metal chests, with the men in biochemical warfare suits. They came to the sides of the boats and scrambled aboard using ladders, before the men behind came up with the antiserum and boxes of other equipment.

" Where's the doctor on this ship? We've got a special delivery for him."

The head of the pary stood ondeck as lifesupport machines and chests of blood, plasma and saline solution were carried past down into the interior of the ship.

"I do not judge the heretics and infidels, that the Lord has already done. I only carry out His punishment. Therefore I do not throw the first stone, I am but a servant. As He spoke to the first Prophet of the Cause; "Thou shalt drive the heretic's from my sight and thou shalt purge their souls with fire". Neglecting to do so is to go against his will".

The chaplain just stood there with his jaw open. He was incredulous that someone could be so brainwashed that it was alright to kill people that didn't share their faith. The chaplain said, "I don't think there's anything else I can say to you. I'll pray to the Lord for your soul to be saved, when it is your time". Then the chaplain left the room.

_________________________________

Captain Cabunt send an detailed encrypted report back to Naval Command with what little information he'd gotten from Heinrich, highlighting his name and the name The Army of the Holy Cross. After Naval Command got the message, they sent a copy of it to the Intelligence ministry, who got busy attempting to track down The Army of the Holy Cross, and what nation they were based out of.

(12 hour timewarp allowed?)

The ekranoplan screamed as it came towards the vessel. Luckily, it was still moored away from land and away form other ships. The entire area wouldn't need decontam, but the ship would.

The side doors at the rear of the ekranoplan opened and let water into the rear. 2 speedboats launched out the side as the water was pumped out through the floor gaps, and the side doors closed. Each sppedboat had 8 men and many large metal chests, with the men in biochemical warfare suits. They came to the sides of the boats and scrambled aboard using ladders, before the men behind came up with the antiserum and boxes of other equipment.

" Where's the doctor on this ship? We've got a special delivery for him."

The head of the pary stood ondeck as lifesupport machines and chests of blood, plasma and saline solution were carried past down into the interior of the ship.

OOC: Not a problem.

As the ekranoplan came into the area, the battlegroup picked it up on radar. As the speedboats left the ekranoplan and met the salvage ship, armed marines in NBC filter masks stood ready, and secured the ladders so the medical teams could board safely. When one of the arriving doctors asked for the ship's doctor, one of the marines said, "Follow me, I'll bring you to sick bay". The doctor was relieved to see the help from Alfegos, as half the ship had come down with the viral infection, and some were dangerously close to death.

In a secret meeting room below a jeweler store in Zahran the leadership of the Army of the Holy Cross had gathered. The first man to speak was the one known only as the Leader or the Prophet. His face was covered with a white mask. No one in the room knew his real identity, a neccesity. Many a leader of the AHC had been betrayed by moles from the Zaheranian security services. Most now rested in unmarked graves. "The mission was a failure", the man stated with a cold, emotionless voice. "I have been informed that it was the Allied States of Gun Manufacturers that killed our brothers. Therefore, as they have proved themselves an enemy of the Cause, a Holy War must be declared. They, along with the godless heathens in Alfegos, must be exterminated. Do we all agree on this issue, brothers?"
All men in the room mumbled their approval.
"Good. Deliver the Blood Cross, so that they know what fate awaits them".
"Deus Vult!", all the men stated with a single voice. They rised and marched out of the room to carry out their orders.

In the middle of the night, a unusual package was left at the entrance to a ASoGM police station. It was a simple box, but the content was something out of the ordinary. It was a sheet of paper with a cross painted in human blood. To those knowing it's meaning, it was a declaration of war, promising death and terror. The AHC never forgot and never forgave.

In a secret meeting room below a jeweler store in Zahran the leadership of the Army of the Holy Cross had gathered. The first man to speak was the one known only as the Leader or the Prophet. His face was covered with a white mask. No one in the room knew his real identity, a neccesity. Many a leader of the AHC had been betrayed by moles from the Zaheranian security services. Most now rested in unmarked graves. "The mission was a failure", the man stated with a cold, emotionless voice. "I have been informed that it was the Allied States of Gun Manufacturers that killed our brothers. Therefore, as they have proved themselves an enemy of the Cause, a Holy War must be declared. They, along with the godless heathens in Alfegos, must be exterminated. Do we all agree on this issue, brothers?"
All men in the room mumbled their approval.
"Good. Deliver the Blood Cross, so that they know what fate awaits them".
"Deus Vult!", all the men stated with a single voice. They rised and marched out of the room to carry out their orders.

In the middle of the night, a unusual package was left at the entrance to a ASoGM police station. It was a simple box, but the content was something out of the ordinary. It was a sheet of paper with a cross painted in human blood. To those knowing it's meaning, it was a declaration of war, promising death and terror. The AHC never forgot and never forgave.

A police officer found the parcel, and opened it to find out what it was. When he saw the cross painted in human blood, he reported it immediately to the CSI lab. They checked it out, and did not find the DNA collected from the blood in their databases. They fogged the box and paper for fingerprints, used a special camera to check the type of paper used, and pulled surveillance tapes from the police station to try to see who had left the parcel. They did catch a glimpse of a person leaving the parcel, but could not see his face.

All the evidence was passed along to the police chief, who passed it along to the FBI. The FBI shared the evidence with the CIA, who found out it was a declaration of war from the Army of the Holy Cross. The deputy director of the CIA, desperate for more information about the AHC, sent out a call for information from any government or organization that could tell him more about the AHC, and a reward for information was set at $10 million dollars.

"Yes doctor, we have equipment necessary for their survival. We will help you in patient care, and with decontamination afterwards."

They had soon entered the medical bay, where the equipment was being setup, checked, rechecked, and put to use keeping the patients alive. The personnel went around the affected crew injecting them with high doses of the antiserum, while the uninfected personnel were injected with a vaccine as well as a dose of the antiserum.

A police officer found the parcel, and opened it to find out what it was. When he saw the cross painted in human blood, he reported it immediately to the CSI lab. They checked it out, and did not find the DNA collected from the blood in their databases. They fogged the box and paper for fingerprints, used a special camera to check the type of paper used, and pulled surveillance tapes from the police station to try to see who had left the parcel. They did catch a glimpse of a person leaving the parcel, but could not see his face.

All the evidence was passed along to the police chief, who passed it along to the FBI. The FBI shared the evidence with the CIA, who found out it was a declaration of war from the Army of the Holy Cross. The deputy director of the CIA, desperate for more information about the AHC, sent out a call for information from any government or organization that could tell him more about the AHC, and a reward for information was set at $10 million dollars.

The ASoGM call did not go unnoticed in the Zaheranian government. The AHC was seen as no small threat, and much effort had been put into eliminating them. Suspected members often disappeared in the middle of the night, they and their families dragged from their beds by DSS agents. Hundreds of them now filled the nation's high-security prisons. Dozens of AHC leaders rested in unmarked graves. The reports coming in was worrying. Had the AHC regained the strength it lost when most of it's members were killed or captured by the Alfegans? The Department of State Security believed this was the case.

"Yes doctor, we have equipment necessary for their survival. We will help you in patient care, and with decontamination afterwards."

They had soon entered the medical bay, where the equipment was being setup, checked, rechecked, and put to use keeping the patients alive. The personnel went around the affected crew injecting them with high doses of the antiserum, while the uninfected personnel were injected with a vaccine as well as a dose of the antiserum.

As the crew began to feel better, the doctor thanked the Alfegans for saving their lives. The captain of the salvage ship radioed the battlegroup that the viral infection had been treated, and that people were responding well to the treatment. He also radioed that the DSRV would be able to continue salvage operations as soon as the infection had been completely stopped and decontamination completed.

As word reached the government that the crew of the salvage ship had begun receiving treatment, the President was relieved. He dispatched a message to the Alfegos government personally.

To: the Leader of Alfegos
From: The office of the President, ASoGM
Re: Treatment and a question

I would like to personally thank you for your nation's assistance in saving the crew of one of our naval ships from a highly contagious viral infection. I hate to ask for another favor, but this is of the highest importance for the ASoGM. I wish to ask if you have any information that you can share about the Army of the Holy Cross. Apparently, they were one of 2 groups that attacked ASoGM ships while in ASoGM waters. The only reason I mention this to you is because we have captured one of the AHC members, and he mentioned your nation's name, and that he was attempting to acquire nuclear weapons to use against your nation.

Again, thank you for your nation's assistance, and if you have any information regarding the AHC, we will be twice in your debt.

signed,



Richard Weatherly, President ASoGM

Once the infections had been controlled, the medical area was sealed with a portable airlock unit to prevent contamination of crew further. Then decontamination started. Externally, a water cannon on the ekranoplan was used, with desalinated sea water being sprayed at the ship mixed with powerful disinfectants. Internally, workers in biochem warfare suits sprayed down the ship with hydrogen peroxide, completely destroying all pathogens and decomposing to leave only oxygen and water that was soon dried away.

Within 12 hours, the medical bay would be free of infected people, and that too could undergo fierce decontamination. Then the Alfegan Emergancy Medical Response unit could leave.

_________________________


The Army of the Holy Cross, or AHC, had once before been a foe of Alfegos in the Zaheran civil war. The result of tactical nuclear weaponry deployment, the complete destruction of their land and headquarters by napalm bombers and finally the taking of their HQ as a colony of Alfegos had completely decimated the AHC, with practically none left alive. While the AHC headquarters was now an international trading post and airshipyard with large amounts of revenue being generated for both Zaheran and Alfegos, stark reminders had been left to all of the AHC threat, such as the bombed-out bunkers and destroyed villages now used for island defence and as massive port complexes.

They had come back though: while not at their former strength and definately without their direct militaristic doctrine, they had staged attacks on airships floating in international waters, that had prompted the crews to carry large shipborne armouries of often illegal weaponry. Heavy weaponry could easily be found on even the most law-abiding of craft, from anti-shipping missiles to autocannons.

The Internal Security ministry had also noted the threat of the AHC, and had performed many covert operations in conjunction with "offshore security agencies" to completely rid the nation of the AHC. But they still were a threat in open water.

Now, with the open threat of the AHC in GM, the government were preparing for another battle.

As the salvage ship completed decontamination, the unaffected crew got back to work. All the crew that had been infected was cured, and was given the rest of the day off to recover. Decontamination of the sick bay would take until tommorow morning, and once that is done, the salvage ship would resume its duties recovering the debris from the naval battle.

Naval Command sent encrypted orders to Captain Cabunt to further interrogate the prisoner for information on the AHC. Captain Cabunt returned to sick bay, where he pulled aside the doctor, and whispered something into his ear. The doctor then went into a locked cabinet and took out a small vial and hypodermic needle. Drawing some of the fluid from the vial into the needle, the doctor walked over to Heinrich, and injected it into him. Then the doctor pulled out a cart with a lie detector on it, and attached the probes to Heinrich. Captain Cabunt waited until the drug took effect and the lie detector was hooked up, asked him some questions to calibrate the machine, and then asked, "Tell me where the Army of the Holy Cross is based, who the leadership is, how many members do you have, and what kind of weapons you possess".

OOC: Heinrich was injected with Sodium thiopental before he was hooked up to the lie detector.

"We are spread through Zaheran and have no permanent base. We tried that before and were beaten badly. I don't know who is the leader, for few, if any, know his true identity. I don't know the total number of members, only the Leader knows that. Our weapons? What I have seen is automatic weapons, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, missiles and hand weapons. I don't know if we possess anything else. Only high-ranked members know that, and none were present on this mission".

"We are spread through Zaheran and have no permanent base. We tried that before and were beaten badly. I don't know who is the leader, for few, if any, know his true identity. I don't know the total number of members, only the Leader knows that. Our weapons? What I have seen is automatic weapons, machine guns, anti-aircraft guns, missiles and hand weapons. I don't know if we possess anything else. Only high-ranked members know that, and none were present on this mission".

"Well, where are your safehouses and drop points? How do you contact the AHC for missions? What vehicles and boats do you use, and where are they kept?"

Captain Cabunt was keeping an eye on the lie detector while he was questioning Heinrich, and was writing down everything that was said.

OOC: You'll have to let me know if the lie detector is picking anything up.

"Safe houses and drop points? I don't know anything about them".
The lie detector showed that he was lying.

"Safe houses and drop points? I don't know anything about them".
The lie detector showed that he was lying.

"So, you've had training in how to lie while under the effects of Sodium thiopental. If you're mission is so divine, why hide the truth from me? Why try to mask where you congregate? I think deep down, you don't really believe in your mission, and answering my questions with lies shows I'm right".

"So, you've had training in how to lie while under the effects of Sodium thiopental. If you're mission is so divine, why hide the truth from me? Why try to mask where you congregate? I think deep down, you don't really believe in your mission, and answering my questions with lies shows I'm right".

"Believe so if you wish, heretic. I know that you fear us, the true soldiers of God. Your fear makes you desperate. Your desperation makes you catch at all straws. You fear us, because deep inside you know that you cannot stop us".

"Believe so if you wish, heretic. I know that you fear us, the true soldiers of God. Your fear makes you desperate. Your desperation makes you catch at all straws. You fear us, because deep inside you know that you cannot stop us".

"I think we both know the ASoGM has seen the best you've got, and you lost badly. You are like the buzzing of flies to an elephant. You have neither the numbers or technology to defeat us". With that, Captain Cabunt whispered something to the doctor and guards, took the printed readout from the lie detector, and left.

When he had returned to his quarters, he dispatched a message to Naval Command detailing the latest interrogation. He also prepared the printed readout and faxed it.

OOC: The Captain ordered them to deny Heinrich food and sleep until the captain gave the counter-order.

And where is Alfegos?

(OOC: I'm here, and waiting for the interrogation to continue on the captive guy. Also, I'm trying to work out how to hunt down the AHC leader, which could be difficult. If you object, I will delete the following. But, here goes nothing...)

Ni'los Port, North Alfegos - 1:00AM

Amongst the many dome-shaped buildings that were the houses and warehouses of the port, a figure walked slowly. Even though the police questioned everyone they found after 9:00pm in this naval stronghold, the man was not worried about them. The police could question him, but if the AUM caught him... he would die very unpleasantly.

He was a freelance weapons-trader, selling hitech equipment for much lower prices than the AUM. He knew that his days as a seller were numbered. But for now, he had a deal that would hopefully allow him to get out of the country as a rich man.

He paused for breath in the alley behind a power distribution centre, a silent hum coming from the transformers behind a high metal fence. Here he would see on most nights groups of kids graffiting or doing other dubious activities. But tonight, they all knew to stay away from this place. Every tuesday, he did a deal here.

He was waiting for a contact from the AHC, who had offered him quite a bit of money for the latest equipment he had got his hands on: the manufacturing plans for the Helios II ICBM, as well as a working prototype (minus the warhead). The police and military had been hunting him down, and he would be glad to get rid of it. He knew that the designs had been stolen 7 times before, and that identical circumstances had befallen each of the 7 theives: they had died from internal bleeding, leaving hideous purple blotches around their disfigured corpses that were subsequently found by the military. Each time the security had been beefed up: each time, they had been stolen. He knew that this had costed the government Æ290 million, and that this theft would likely as not halt the project for good.

Fool, Heinrich thought as the captain leaved the room. Do you really believe that you have seen the best of us? He laughted silently. Do you really think that you have defeated the Army of the Holy Cross? My brothers will come for you, unless I escape, in which case I will kill you before they do.

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

The AHC contact walked through the dark city, his steps echoing in the empty streets. He was nervous and was breathing heavily. He knew that this was enemy territory, the land of pagans and heathens, where everyone would betray him if they had the chance. Finally reaching the alley he saw that a man was waiting for him. He stopped and surveyed the scene. Seeing no danger, he stepped out of the shadows and approached the man, carefully looking around.

A man was walking down the alley: the contact he presumed. The encounter would hopefully go accordingly, but he would have to be careful. He knew the AHC were all christian fanatics, and if he got this deal wrong he would be probably crucified.

"Hello stranger. What are doing on a dark night like this? Come to get something off me?"

"Perhaps. Depends on what you have to offer". He showed the suitcase he was carrying. "I, for once, know what you wants. So, do you have the goods?"

"Lets see if you have the payment. Then I will show you the goods."

The man did not want to get ripped off: it was worth doing all this with the threat of a sudden painful death as long as he got the payment he wanted.

"As you wish". The man opened the suitcase. It was full of money, 75 million in total. "Now show me the goods".

"Follow me then."

The man stood up straight, and padded off down the alley.

"Be careful: even though we don't have an official curfew, the police here like to keep up something similar, since we have most of the Alfegos fleet moored here."

He peered around the corner of a building, then walked across the street. He then climbed up a fire-escape ladder on the side of a building, before walking along the curving rooftops towards the dockside. After sliding down onto the ground down the roofside, and checking around for security guards, he ran along the road to the civlian docks, and used a key to unlock the quayside gate to one of the massive unloading gantries. Finally, he boarded a container ship tied up, and walked through the masses of crates to a random one in the centre. He unlocked the doors and opened the container. Inisde was the missiles, in its seperate stages, and a large metal chest.

"The chest contains the holo-discs with the plans on, as well as hard copies."

"Most excellent. This tool will please our Lord greatly. Here are your money". He handed the man the suitcase. "Spend it well".

Fool, Heinrich thought as the captain leaved the room. Do you really believe that you have seen the best of us? He laughted silently. Do you really think that you have defeated the Army of the Holy Cross? My brothers will come for you, unless I escape, in which case I will kill you before they do.

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

The AHC contact walked through the dark city, his steps echoing in the empty streets. He was nervous and was breathing heavily. He knew that this was enemy territory, the land of pagans and heathens, where everyone would betray him if they had the chance. Finally reaching the alley he saw that a man was waiting for him. He stopped and surveyed the scene. Seeing no danger, he stepped out of the shadows and approached the man, carefully looking around.

The doctor and the four guards took turns checking Heinrich's restraints to make sure they were secure, and making sure that he stayed awake. The doctor even set up a caffeine IV to make sure he couldn't sleep. Meanwhile, one of the guards called the galley and asked that 5 sandwiches be brought to the sick bay. When the sandwiches arrived, the doctor and guards ate.

"Thankyou. I will leave you to arrange the collection of this crate, that will be arriving at the international trading post of Neo'Ilos within 6 days."

The man left quickly, running thorugh the streets. He finally arrived at the service staion he was parked at. He sighed as threw the suitcase in the old 2nd-hand car and sat down. He put the car into neutral, before starting it up. As he was about to start moving, he felt a very cold piece of metal pressed into the back of his neck. He suddenly went very still.
"Drive."
He quickly drove out of the service station, the gun holder giving him directions. Wihtin 15 minutes, they were out in the middle of the Polinas grassland.
"Stop here".
They pulled into a layby. It was quiet for a few seconds, before the man with the gun sighed.
"We would have killed you anyway. You are a big, big threat to our business. However, a client of ours put a rather large price on your head. I think you know who they are."
"Not the government..."
"Yes. They wanted to have a few words with you. They also asked for me to give you this."

There was a hiss as the gun discharged a dart into the mans neck. It was pulled out slowly, and a plaster slapped on it.

"That's an antidote to warfarin, with a nice big dose of coagulants. They use security darts in their security systems, didn't you know? I doubt you even noticed the tiny darts hitting you, but I guess that soon you would have realised it as you bled to death internally. They wanted you alive for their little chat with you."

There was a roar overhead as a helicopter flew by. Suddenly, the man realised there was an APC parked in the layby. It was painted black, with a bright orange flaming palmtree underlined by three blood-red skulls.

"Oh NO! NO!"

Four men surrounded the car, and then smashed in the windscreen and driver's window. The man was dragged out onto the roadside, and beaten to the ground with batons. He was handcuffed and legcuffed, before he was thrown into a cage in the back of the APC. It drove off, leaving behind a large suitcase of cash for the Mafia operative. As well as the extra bonus for "personel gain".

When the Alfegan had left, the AHC operative took out his cell phone and called a number. "I have seen the goods. They will arrive at Oraz in six days. I will take my leave now, as the heathen police may ask some uncomfortable questions if they find me here. I have marked the correct crate with a white X in the bottom left corner. Good night".
With that, he hang up and walked out, taking a long detour to confuse any possible pursuers.

The man woke up in a white room. Pure white. The door was a dark grey. In the room there was a grey table, and two grey chairs. One of them he was sitting in, tied to it by handcuffs and legcuffs. There was a click in the door, and it swung open. Three men walked in: all were dressed in white shirts, grey suits and grey ties. All had bluetooth earpieces on their right ears. All were wearing sunglasses.

One of the men sat down in front of him. He put down on the desk a large wad of papers and to the side he put a large black leather suitcase.

"Good afternoon. We appear to have a problem with you: that problem is the trade you have put yourself into."
He gestured to the file in front of him, that was about 8 inches thick.
"As you can see, we have been keeping our eye on you for quite a time. It appears you have broken every law we have in accordance to the trade of contraband, and most recently, a certain item that the government has. You see, we kept security on it low for the simple reason that the missile is not actually real. It is in actual fact a cleverly devised plan to draw out terrorist organisations. So, can you please tell us the terrorist organistaion it is going to, and where it is going to?"
He took off his sunglasses to face the man in front of him.
"We are willing to give you a new life, to wipe the slate clean, to give you a new identity, as long as you change your current profession and give us what we want to know. Otherwise, you may regret it."

The man sat there, and a smirk came on his face.
"You realise that you are breaking every law we have on criminal justice? Arresting me without reason, accusations of dealing with terrorists? I deamnd to see a lawyer."

The agent put his glasses back on.
"You do? The we will have to be less hospitable."
He put the briefcase on the table and signalled to the other two agents. They left the room. He opened the briefcase and went through a range of evil instruments, each glinting in the artificial light of the room, designed for the extraction of information. He pulled out a syringe and a bottle of chemical. He filled the syringe carfeully, and emptied the contents into the man's arm.
"In most cases, we use truth serums to get information from people. However, it does not appear to work all the time, and also is not applicable in a case like this. That agent we have just given you is known as TA-22, and is a very powerful paralytic agent. Your respiratory tract, heart and digestive system will be unaffected, yet you won't be able to move."

He undid the handcuffs and laid the man on the floor. He then took from the case a silver bottle, filled with water. He adjusted the aperture, and a drip of water fell out. He put it in a stand by the man, and positioned it above the man's forehead.

"I will be back in 24 hours. By then, you might be more willing to give me information."

He left the room, and switched off the light. In the pitch blackness, the man could not move at all. All he could feel was the regular beat of the water droplets, once every minute. He began to drift off to sleep, but then a drop hit his head. He knew it: they would drive him mad before they got the information from him.

The doctor and the four guards took turns checking Heinrich's restraints to make sure they were secure, and making sure that he stayed awake. The doctor even set up a caffeine IV to make sure he couldn't sleep. Meanwhile, one of the guards called the galley and asked that 5 sandwiches be brought to the sick bay. When the sandwiches arrived, the doctor and guards ate.

The prisoner began to sing prayers and psalms, and did it very loudly. His voice was full of determination and fanaticism.

24 hours later, the agent returned. The harsh fluorescent lights lit up, and beat down on a clammy, pale man, trying to fall asleep yet kept awake perpetually by the constant drip. He was whispering quietly to himself.

"I see you did not take to the water. It shows you really how pathetic you are: most men can stand up to that for 24 hours, but you are already losing your mind."

He dragged the man over to the chair, and restrained him again. A moment later, he injected another chemical into the man's body: a reverse agent to the one he had given previously.

"Now tell me, are you willing to tell me what you know, or will we have to take you to the Interrogation suite?"

The man looked blearily at him, and spoke to him.

"Go take your interrogation suite and stick it where the sun doesn't shine, you fucker." It came out as a hoarse whisper.

"I see. You'd better come with me." The agent was still unsmiling, but a frown had developed. The other two agents entered, and grabbed the man, who didn't bother struggling. In his state, the trip though the white corridors with many dark grey doors was a blur. Finally, he was led into a padded room.
"The room is padded, and therefore nobody can hear your screams."

The other two agents left, after tying the man to a beam on the ceiling. The agent opened a cupboard hidden in the side of the cell with a radio key on his wrist, revealing a morbid assortion of tools, devices, and cages of assorted animals. The agent took out a jar filled with maggots, and a harness. He walked over to the man, and tied the jar to the man's chest, the sliding lid facing inwards to the man's chest. He noticed the man beginning to struggle, and then heard him start screaming

"The maggots, while they prefer dead, infected flesh, will not say no to healthy flesh..."healthy flesh.

The prisoner began to sing prayers and psalms, and did it very loudly. His voice was full of determination and fanaticism.

One of the guards gagged Heinrich, because he was being so loud. Soon after, another doctor and 4 more guards came to relieve the ones that were already there, so they could get some sleep.
______________________________________

Decontamination of the salvage ship's sick bay was completed, and the salvage ship got prepared to resume its normal duties, once the Alfegosians departed.

The agent managed to get a response from the man, now writhing in disgust and fear from the maggots in the jar slowly moving towards his skin.

"So, who did you sell the missile to?"
"The AHC!"
"And where is it headed?"
"Neo'Ilos, what they call Oraz."
"When?"
"5 days, now get it off me!"

The agent grinned.

"Why should I? You are of no further use to use now. And, of course, you refused our offers of mind remodification and protection from the AUM, and AHC. But I don't go in for all this pain."

He drew his pistol and shot the man: a single hole straight through the forehead.

"Yes, could we get disposal down here? We have some rubbish that needs removing."

One of the guards gagged Heinrich, because he was being so loud. Soon after, another doctor and 4 more guards came to relieve the ones that were already there, so they could get some sleep.


Still their prisoner showed no sign of surrender. The man was determined of not betraying the Cause, and he was ready to die for his beliefs.

Still their prisoner showed no sign of surrender. The man was determined of not betraying the Cause, and he was ready to die for his beliefs.

One of the ship's chaplains came in to the sick bay (OOC: not the one that had been there before), and asked to speak to the prisoner alone, about a theological matter. The guards and doctor agreed, on the condition that the prisoner not be allowed to eat, drink, or sleep. One of the guards checked Heinrich's restraints, then followed the others out of the room. The chaplain then removed the gag from Heinrich's mouth, and said to him, "I am sympathetic to your cause. I will attempt to help you escape, but you must be patient, for the opportunity has not yet presented itself. I know one of the helicopter crews is also disgusted by the heresy in the government, and I believe they will help us as well."

One of the ship's chaplains came in to the sick bay (OOC: not the one that had been there before), and asked to speak to the prisoner alone, about a theological matter. The guards and doctor agreed, on the condition that the prisoner not be allowed to eat, drink, or sleep. One of the guards checked Heinrich's restraints, then followed the others out of the room. The chaplain then removed the gag from Heinrich's mouth, and said to him, "I am sympathetic to your cause. I will attempt to help you escape, but you must be patient, for the opportunity has not yet presented itself. I know one of the helicopter crews is also disgusted by the heresy in the government, and I believe they will help us as well."

Heinrich was surprised. A true believer on the ship? "I understand", he said. "You are a good man. I will be patient".

Heinrich was surprised. A true believer on the ship? "I understand", he said. "You are a good man. I will be patient".

The chaplain said, "I will come get you when I have arranged everything. When everything is ready, we'll only have about a 3-5 minute window to get you from the infirmary to the helicopter on the flight deck, and at a full run, it takes about 2 1/2 minutes. I'll have a bag packed for you with a change of clothes, a weapon, and some food, and it will be on the helicopter with a Zodiac on a quick inflate system".

Before he left, the chaplain gave Heinrich a communion wafer and some wine from the ship's sacristy.

The chaplain said, "I will come get you when I have arranged everything. When everything is ready, we'll only have about a 3-5 minute window to get you from the infirmary to the helicopter on the flight deck, and at a full run, it takes about 2 1/2 minutes. I'll have a bag packed for you with a change of clothes, a weapon, and some food, and it will be on the helicopter with a Zodiac on a quick inflate system".

Before he left, the chaplain gave Heinrich a communion wafer and some wine from the ship's sacristy.

Heinrich felt the strength return to his body. "Thank you", he said to the chaplain. "When the time comes, I will be ready".

"I have to go now. I will return soon", the chaplain said as he prepared to leave. He knocked on the door and one of the guards came into the room. As the chaplain left, he checked the restraints while the other 3 guards and the doctor entered.

The chaplain went to go find the helicopter crew. The crew agreed to help, and the chaplain and told them of his plan to get Heinrich off the ship. The crew of the SH-3 Sea King was due to go out in an hour and perform ASW operations with an AN/SSQ-801B dipping sonar, so they'd be in a perfect position to drop Heinrich and the Zodiac into the water to make his escape. One of the helicopter crew secured an M4, 10 loaded 30 round magazines, an M9 pistol, 4 loaded 15 round magazines, and a change of clothes. One of the other crew got the Zodiac and brought it to the helicopter. A third crewman located food, a first aid kit, survival gear, and a waterproof radio with encrypter. Once all of that was loaded into the helicopter, the lead pilot let the chaplain know.

Four new guards came to relieve the guards currently in sick bay. The doctor, relieved to have 4 fresh guards to watch the prisoner, took the opportunity to hit the head (OOC: bathroom in Navy talk). After the doctor left, one of the guards radioed the chaplain, who came back and loosened Heinrich's restraints. The chaplain said, "It's time. All your supplies are on the helicopter. These guards are believers too, and they'll help you to the flight deck and the helicopter. Good luck to you my brother, and may He watch over and protect you".

OOC: Alfegos, I need to know when your decontamination and medical teams leave the salvage ship, so I can continue salvage operations and prisoner questioning.

(OOC: They've gone)

Aboard the salvage ship, things returned to normal. The DSRV started scanning the ocean floor for more debris and munitions, while the crew on deck was eager to catalog and store anything that was brought up. Captain Cabunt had called from the carrier and asked the salvage ship captain, a man by the name of Howley, to notify him if he learned anything about the combatants from the airship. He also requested that Captain Howley interview the prisoner from the airship, to get more information.

Captain Howley went down to sick bay and asked the man, "I need to know your name, where you're from, and anything else you can tell me about your mission here. Are you with the combatants from the trawlers?".

Four new guards came to relieve the guards currently in sick bay. The doctor, relieved to have 4 fresh guards to watch the prisoner, took the opportunity to hit the head (OOC: bathroom in Navy talk). After the doctor left, one of the guards radioed the chaplain, who came back and loosened Heinrich's restraints. The chaplain said, "It's time. All your supplies are on the helicopter. These guards are believers too, and they'll help you to the flight deck and the helicopter. Good luck to you my brother, and may He watch over and protect you".


"Thank you, my friend. May our Lord give us the strength to smite the heathens and heretics". He crawled off the table and rised to his feet, stretching his stiff body. "Right. Let's do this".

"Thank you, my friend. May our Lord give us the strength to smite the heathens and heretics". He crawled off the table and rised to his feet, stretching his stiff body. "Right. Let's do this".

The guards led Heinrich up to the flight deck, only having a bit of trouble when a couple of E-2s ran into them in the hallway. The E-2s quickly stood aside and let the group pass, then went on their way. The marine guards and Heinrich soon made it to the flight deck, where they proceeded to the helicopter, about a minute before it was to take off.

After the helicopter took off, one of the pilots turned to Heinrich, gave him a headset so they could talk, and said, "Welcome aboard, brother. I see that He watches over you. All your supplies are in the waterproof bag, including your weapons. We've got sonar dipping to do, so we'll be pretty close to the surface of the water. When we're about 50 miles from the ship, we're supposed to turn back. That's the drop point. After you hit the water and inflate the raft, head north-northwest. There's an island about 20 miles away, where you can arrange other transportation. We put in as much cash in the bag as we could get, about $2,400, which should help you get back to the AHC".

The guards led Heinrich up to the flight deck, only having a bit of trouble when a couple of E-2s ran into them in the hallway. The E-2s quickly stood aside and let the group pass, then went on their way. The marine guards and Heinrich soon made it to the flight deck, where they proceeded to the helicopter, about a minute before it was to take off.

After the helicopter took off, one of the pilots turned to Heinrich, gave him a headset so they could talk, and said, "Welcome aboard, brother. I see that He watches over you. All your supplies are in the waterproof bag, including your weapons. We've got sonar dipping to do, so we'll be pretty close to the surface of the water. When we're about 50 miles from the ship, we're supposed to turn back. That's the drop point. After you hit the water and inflate the raft, head north-northwest. There's an island about 20 miles away, where you can arrange other transportation. We put in as much cash in the bag as we could get, about $2,400, which should help you get back to the AHC".

"Thank you, my brothers. Great will you rewards be in the Kingdom of Heaven. Have faith, for soon your country will be liberated by God's true soldiers".

"Thank you, my brothers. Great will you rewards be in the Kingdom of Heaven. Have faith, for soon your country will be liberated by God's true soldiers".

As the helicopter arrived at the 50 mile mark, the door was opened, and the pilot gave the thumbs up sign. The Zodiac was pushed out of the hovering helicopter, and the other pilot turned to Heinrich one last time and said, "Remember, the radio has encryption and is waterproof. I wouldn't recommend using it while in the Zodiac though, in case it goes overboard in these seas. Good luck Heinrich, and may His light shine upon you always". The crew waited for Heinrich to jump out of the helicopter, so it could turn around and headed back to the carrier.

As the helicopter arrived at the 50 mile mark, the door was opened, and the pilot gave the thumbs up sign. The Zodiac was pushed out of the hovering helicopter, and the other pilot turned to Heinrich one last time and said, "Remember, the radio has encryption and is waterproof. I wouldn't recommend using it while in the Zodiac though, in case it goes overboard in these seas. Good luck Heinrich, and may His light shine upon you always". The crew waited for Heinrich to jump out of the helicopter, so it could turn around and headed back to the carrier.

The AHC soldiers prayed one last time and then jumped out of the plane. Seconds later, he hit the water. He crawled aboard the Zodiac and waved to the helicopter. Then he turned his attention back to the raft and slowly began to manouvre it towards his distant destination.

The AHC soldiers prayed one last time and then jumped out of the plane. Seconds later, he hit the water. He crawled aboard the Zodiac and waved to the helicopter. Then he turned his attention back to the raft and slowly began to manouvre it towards his distant destination.

As the helicopter arrived back at the carrier, they noticed that the general quarters alarm was going off. Over the PA, the crew had been informed that the prisoner had escaped from sick bay, and that a search of the ship was in progress. The helicopter crew was ordered to take off again and join other helicopter crews in searching the waters around the carrier, in case the prisoner had jumped overboard.

The doctor that had left sick bay, the guards that were stationed there were, and the chaplain were called to the captain's mess, to be interviewed about what had happened, as they were the last people to see Heinrich in sick bay. Captain Cabunt and an armed detachment of marines waited for them.

OOC: Zaheran, what's the status of the trawlers that fled, and the lifeboats from the supertanker? My sub is still following them.

OOC: I forgot about them, I suppose. Here we go.

IC:

The two trawlers had now reached the remnants of the supertanker. Only the oil floating on the water and the occasional piece of debris showed that a mighty ship had fought here. As they stared at the empty waters with shock, the crew on Archangel got a radio call from a group of survivors. After getting brief information on what had happened, the captain called Servant of Heaven and Heretic's Bane and informed them on the situation. The group split up and began the search for survivors.

OOC: I forgot about them, I suppose. Here we go.

IC:

The two trawlers had now reached the remnants of the supertanker. Only the oil floating on the water and the occasional piece of debris showed that a mighty ship had fought here. As they stared at the empty waters with shock, the crew on Archangel got a radio call from a group of survivors. After getting brief information on what had happened, the captain called Servant of Heaven and Heretic's Bane and informed them on the situation. The group split up and began the search for survivors.

The sub stayed relatively deep and in the baffles of one of the ships. The sub's orders were to shadow the trawlers as far as possible. The E-2 Hawkeye was refueled in-flight, and it also kept an eye on the trawlers through its massive radar.

The doctor, 4 marine guards, and the chaplain all arrived in the captain's mess, and without delay, Captain Cabunt asked, "What happened to my prisoner?". The chaplain took off his collar and said, "The bait is in the water, Bob". Hearing this, Captain Cabunt smiled and said, "Good. SSN Allegiance is waiting 10 miles from the drop point. As soon as they pick up the engine and prop from the Zodiac, they'll begin shadowing it. Is the radio set up?". The chaplain said, "Yes. While it does have encryption, we have the codes to break it". Captain
Cabunt said, "Excellent. Jim, thank your bosses at the CIA again for me. Now, anyone want a drink?".

The man lay in his bed, and looked at the man who had come to question him.

"Me, from one of those trawlers? Are you guys criminally idiotic? Where did you originally find me? And who did you see blowing up the trawlers? No, I was with an organisation who sent me to relieve you of your nuclear-armed cruise missiles, for a client organisation. Don't try asking me: you should have asked the captain who was actually a member of the organisation, before you blew the whole airship up. I'm just a paid hand.

As for my name, which alias would you prefer?"

The man lay in his bed, and looked at the man who had come to question him.

"Me, from one of those trawlers? Are you guys criminally idiotic? Where did you originally find me? And who did you see blowing up the trawlers? No, I was with an organisation who sent me to relieve you of your nuclear-armed cruise missiles, for a client organisation. Don't try asking me: you should have asked the captain who was actually a member of the organisation, before you blew the whole airship up. I'm just a paid hand.

As for my name, which alias would you prefer?"

"I had to ask whether you were with the trawlers. It's a standard question. And we didn't want to blow up the airship, we were willing to let you go, if you returned the missiles to us. The person I can only assume was your captain threatened to launch them at us, and we found 2 of them in missile racks, which shows us that you were already preparing to do so. As to your name, we'd prefer all of them, as well as your real name".

OOC: Captain Howley isn't as devious as Captain Cabunt, but he's not as patient either.

"Well, I honestly can't keep track of names, but for now its either Jo'lao Ky'uila or Gho'ta Uli'troa. I think you can find both in the governmental records of my country."

"Well, I honestly can't keep track of names, but for now its either Jo'lao Ky'uila or Gho'ta Uli'troa. I think you can find both in the governmental records of my country."

Captain Howley wrote down the names given, and asked, "And what country are you from? Is it Alfegos or some other country that has had contact with that viral infection?".

"Alfegos. Just look at the names and tell me they're not from Alfegos. Is there anything else you need to ask me before I'm thrown in prison for life?"

"Alfegos. Just look at the names and tell me they're not from Alfegos. Is there anything else you need to ask me before I'm thrown in prison for life?"

"I'm not familiar with Alfegosian names, so I wouldn't have been able to tell", Captain Howley replied. "It would go much better for you if you'd cooperate. Tell me how to find your employers".

"I can't tell you, since as I said I am a paid hand: the captain would have known, but since I am not an active member, just one of the captain's hands he hired from the gutter, I couldn't tell. If you were lucky enough to capture someone else in the AUM, you would be better off."

"I can't tell you, since as I said I am a paid hand: the captain would have known, but since I am not an active member, just one of the captain's hands he hired from the gutter, I couldn't tell. If you were lucky enough to capture someone else in the AUM, you would be better off."

"What can you tell me of the AUM?".

President Smith was reading the newspapers when he saw the article about the war and interrogations. He dropped his paper immediately, and ordered the Minister of Defence to send a team to help with the salvaging and investigative efforts. Following which, he sent a telegram to the Allied States of Gun Manufacturers stating that Rastier was willing to help in any way possible.

President Smith was reading the newspapers when he saw the article about the war and interrogations. He dropped his paper immediately, and ordered the Minister of Defence to send a team to help with the salvaging and investigative efforts. Following which, he sent a telegram to the Allied States of Gun Manufacturers stating that Rastier was willing to help in any way possible.

ASoGM President Richard Weatherly sent a reply thanking Rastier President Smith for the offer of help, and said that what was needed most was another DSRV for recovery of munitions and debris that was resting on the ocean floor.

The sub stayed relatively deep and in the baffles of one of the ships. The sub's orders were to shadow the trawlers as far as possible. The E-2 Hawkeye was refueled in-flight, and it also kept an eye on the trawlers through its massive radar.

After picking up the few survivors, the three trawlers dumped their weapons, once again disguising themselves as innocent fishing boats. They then broke up, each heading in it's own direction.

"The AUM, eh? They're just about the biggest criminal organisation in our region, specialising in drugs, assassinations and the sales of stolen goods. We were probably just told to do this by one of the many Fego'soi in the country, with their orders for such a mission as this direct from teh head, the Fego'fai. I know that the AUM remain very elusive, probably due to corruption. All I know is that they now the only organised criminals in Alfegos, since they killed off all the competition, quite literally. And I know that it is impossible for you to join unless you are picked. Anything else?"

After picking up the few survivors, the three trawlers dumped their weapons, once again disguising themselves as innocent fishing boats. They then broke up, each heading in it's own direction.

The sub heard the splashes in the water, and the captain decided to rise to periscope depth. The sub was a fair distance away, but it saw the three trawlers split up. The sub captain radioed Naval Command with the situation, and asked for orders. Orders came back to stay submerged and follow one of the trawlers, to see where it would lead them. If the sub were to be fired on, they would be allowed to return fire. An E-2 Hawkeye, operating in international waters and with nearly full fuel tanks, would track the trawlers as long as it could.

"The AUM, eh? They're just about the biggest criminal organisation in our region, specialising in drugs, assassinations and the sales of stolen goods. We were probably just told to do this by one of the many Fego'soi in the country, with their orders for such a mission as this direct from teh head, the Fego'fai. I know that the AUM remain very elusive, probably due to corruption. All I know is that they now the only organised criminals in Alfegos, since they killed off all the competition, quite literally. And I know that it is impossible for you to join unless you are picked. Anything else?"

"Not for now. I thank you for your cooperation, and I will pass along the recommendation that you be shown a measure of clemence when you're sentenced".

Captain Howley then left, and upon returning to his quarters, drafted a message to Captain Cabunt outlining the information that the prisoner gave, including the names that the prisoner gave, and the information on the AUM. He also, as promised, suggested to Captain Cabunt, that the prisoner be given consideration due to his information.

The sub heard the splashes in the water, and the captain decided to rise to periscope depth. The sub was a fair distance away, but it saw the three trawlers split up. The sub captain radioed Naval Command with the situation, and asked for orders. Orders came back to stay submerged and follow one of the trawlers, to see where it would lead them. If the sub were to be fired on, they would be allowed to return fire. An E-2 Hawkeye, operating in international waters and with nearly full fuel tanks, would track the trawlers as long as it could.

For a spectator knowing what he was watching, the trawlers plan was quite obvious. They headed for Zaheranian national waters, where they could hide in the vast fishing fleets and be protected from any foreign militaries following them.

For a spectator knowing what he was watching, the trawlers plan was quite obvious. They headed for Zaheranian national waters, where they could hide in the vast fishing fleets and be protected from any foreign militaries following them.

The E-2 Hawkeye's radar operators noticed that the trawlers were attempting to look like ordinary boats to blend in. They radioed the information back to Naval Command, and Naval Command plotted where they could be going based on their current heading. When the plotting put the trawlers on a direct course for Zaheranian national waters, Naval Command sent out this communication to the leader of Zaheran:

To: Leader(s) of Zaheran
From: Naval Command, ASoGM
Re: potential terrorist threat

Currently, the ASoGM navy, operating in international waters, is tracking 3 trawlers headed to your territorial waters. These 3 trawlers were involved in a terrorist attack inside ASoGM territorial waters, and we believe these may be members of a terrorist organization called the Army of the Holy Cross. We do not wish to cause an international incident, so we will not be able to follow them into your waters unless you give us your permission. If you do not want us to cross into your waters, but want to deal with them yourselves, my E-2 Hawkeye, operating from international airspace, can give you their coordinates.

The E-2 Hawkeye's radar operators noticed that the trawlers were attempting to look like ordinary boats to blend in. They radioed the information back to Naval Command, and Naval Command plotted where they could be going based on their current heading. When the plotting put the trawlers on a direct course for Zaheranian national waters, Naval Command sent out this communication to the leader of Zaheran:

To: Leader(s) of Zaheran
From: Naval Command, ASoGM
Re: potential terrorist threat

Currently, the ASoGM navy, operating in international waters, is tracking 3 trawlers headed to your territorial waters. These 3 trawlers were involved in a terrorist attack inside ASoGM territorial waters, and we believe these may be members of a terrorist organization called the Army of the Holy Cross. We do not wish to cause an international incident, so we will not be able to follow them into your waters unless you give us your permission. If you do not want us to cross into your waters, but want to deal with them yourselves, my E-2 Hawkeye, operating from international airspace, can give you their coordinates.

From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: Naval Command, ASoGM
Everything involving the Army of the Holy Cross have high priority. Therefore, we have been able to get your ships permission to enter our national waters. However, when the terrorists have been arrested we request that they are taken to a Zaheranian port for further investigation, as we consider them a grave threat to our security.

ASoGM President Richard Weatherly sent a reply thanking Rastier President Smith for the offer of help, and said that what was needed most was another DSRV for recovery of munitions and debris that was resting on the ocean floor.

Soon, an Angel-class Submarine rescue ship, FRS Angel, flanked with the FRS Excellence, a cruiser, arrived on the scene. The FRS Angel lowered 2 DSRVs, and began recovery work.

From: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: Naval Command, ASoGM
Everything involving the Army of the Holy Cross have high priority. Therefore, we have been able to get your ships permission to enter our national waters. However, when the terrorists have been arrested we request that they are taken to a Zaheranian port for further investigation, as we consider them a grave threat to our security.

To: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zaheran
From: Naval Command, ASoGM
Re: trawlers

The ASoGM only has one submarine shadowing them, and one aircraft. We feel we can capture one of the trawlers with our sub, but the trawlers have split off in their own directions. Our aircraft isn't an armed aircraft, it is an E-2 Hawkeye.


Naval Command radioed the Hawkeye and the sub with the permission, and ordered the sub to stop the trawler they were shadowing. The sub broke the surface of the water approximately 1500 yards behind one of the trawlers. The sub broadcast in the clear for the trawler to shut its engines down and prepare to be boarded, or risk getting fired upon. Navy seals prepared their weapons and equipment, and waited for the trawler to stop.

From: Ministry of Foeign Affairs
to: Naval Command, ASoGM
Understood. Stop that vessel and we will capture the others. If your aircraft need refuelling, it can land at one of our bases.


The trawler stopped. The captain, looking innocent, radioed the submarine asking why they were harassing a fishing boat in Zaheranian national waters.

One of the other boats was captured in a completely unorthodox way. The crews on a group of other trawlers thought that the vessel was acting strange. Believing that the crew were foreign spies, they boarded the ship. The crew was captured and handed over to the military police, who identified one of the crewmen as a member of the AHC.

From: Ministry of Foeign Affairs
to: Naval Command, ASoGM
Understood. Stop that vessel and we will capture the others. If your aircraft need refuelling, it can land at one of our bases.


The trawler stopped. The captain, looking innocent, radioed the submarine asking why they were harassing a fishing boat in Zaheranian national waters.

One of the other boats was captured in a completely unorthodox way. The crews on a group of other trawlers thought that the vessel was acting strange. Believing that the crew were foreign spies, they boarded the ship. The crew was captured and handed over to the military police, who identified one of the crewmen as a member of the AHC.

As the sub came within 100 yards of the trawler, the captain ordered the Seals to board the ship. Armed with MP-5 submachine guns, M-9 pistols, and M-870 shotguns, the Seals crossed the distance in Zodiacs. The captain said over the radio, "You are being arrested for terrorist activities in ASoGM and other nations. Get on the deck with your hands on your head."

As the sub came within 100 yards of the trawler, the captain ordered the Seals to board the ship. Armed with MP-5 submachine guns, M-9 pistols, and M-870 shotguns, the Seals crossed the distance in Zodiacs. The captain said over the radio, "You are being arrested for terrorist activities in ASoGM and other nations. Get on the deck with your hands on your head."

"Terrorist activities? I don't understand", the captain answered. "We are fishermen, not terrorists. You know that you're breaking international law by arresting us in another state's national waters, right?"

"Terrorist activities? I don't understand", the captain answered. "We are fishermen, not terrorists. You know that you're breaking international law by arresting us in another state's national waters, right?"

"Just do as you're ordered, and nobody will get hurt", the captain replied. The seals reached the side of the boat, and climbed aboard.


OOC: I've got to head to work, so I'll respond to anything you post in response later.

To: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Zaheran
From: Foreign Affairs Minister, Rastier
RE: Help in Terrorist Threat

Dear Sir,

Our President has informed me to tell you that we are willing to send in millitary help to get rid of the AHC terrorists. One of our cruisers, the FRS Excellence, on the way back home from escorting a Submarine Rescue Ship, has detected an unknown ship behaving strangely, the size of a trawler, in your waters. He has told us that he has the speed and range to capture it, and he only needs clearance to enter Zaheran territory.

Yours sincerely,

Matthew Lansky

Foreign Affairs Minister

From: Marius Stee, Minister of Foreign Affairs
To: Matthew Lansky, Foreign Affairs Minister, Rastier

Dear sir,

While we appreciate your offer of help, we can assure you that our own Coast Guard can handle fishing boats without your assistance. As we do not want any more foreign warships than neccessary in our waters, we must inform you that your cruiser have been denied access to Zaheranian waters. We hope you understand that this is not an insult against the Federation of Rastier, just a neccessary measure to protect our territory.

In the Empire's service,

Marius Stee

Minister of Foreign Affairs

(OOC: Now I have a bit of time and a clearer head from my first half-decent kip in the last week, I think it is time to see what the Alfegos government do to that shipment coming to you on Oraz/Neo'Ilos, after removing information from the seller who now is likely as not in an unmarked grave in the middle of a desert somewhere...)

In Neo'Ilos, it was hardly noticed amongst the tens of airships that were moored above the main city that two Aero-navy vessels had entered the skies. An I-class Aero-patrolcraft, only 80m long, with a battery of cameras that were missing nothing on the inbound ships, was floating amongst a group of Liberty-class airships here for a service in one of the airshipyards that dominated the island.
Hidden amongst the incoming airships that were either dropping goods here or were refuelling for another leg of their journey was an aero-dropship: a 300m-long ship with an onboard company of 72 aeromarines, ready to be dropped around potential members of the AHC who made themselves present on the ship inbound.

All that was necessary now was to wait for them to arrive.

The AHC soldiers were hard to distinguish from motley mixture of people living and working on the giant trading point; white-collar workers, dockers, pilots, bureacrats and thousand of others. Still, there they were, pairs of men with concealed weapons pushing forward through the crowd. Their faces were cold and haughty, and one could see the disgust they felt against the Alfegans.

A large container ship, the crew unaware of its load, had pulled up onto one of the massive quaysides on the artificial islands that had been extended into the harbour for maximising docking area, with a secondary band of islands acting to provide a large lagoon and providing plety of space for airships as well to land on the water and deposit their loads onto barges, a mcu better system than clogging up the main aerodromes.

The crew disembarked to talk to the dock officials, leaving the ship abandoned until the cranes were given permission to unload the crates. A 2-hour window that the AHC could exploit.

Further away in the docking area, another group of AHC soldiers prepared for their task: death and destruction. They hoped to distract everyone so that their colleagues could sneak in and steal the crate. To achieve this, they pulled out assault rifles and started to shoot wildly around them. The men tore of their coats, revealing white robes with red crosses embroidered on the chests. They laughted as they mowed down Alfegan and Zaheranian alike, covering the ground with bodies.

The aeromarines and aero-patrolcraft were distracted by the sudden gunfire.

"We have a major shootout! AHC gunnig down civilians!"

"Keep the AePC on that ship! We've got the situation under control."

The aero-dropship roared over where the shootout was occuring. From the sides of the drop-bay, the sound of gunfire rangout as the men opened fire with their weapons, picking off the enemy with a mix of assault rifles, LSWs and a couple of heavy machineguns mounted either side of the open drop bay.

After half a minute of heavy fire, 2 platoons of men, 48 in total, lept out of the underside, engaging their parachutes as they left the bay. Within a few minutes, they were on the ground, attempting to secure the area and take down any more AHC personnel.

In the distance, armed police response units were coming in, delivering armoured police officers to get the situation under control. Behind them were amublances, filled with medical personnel to try and save any survivors.

OOC: Zaheran, when you get a chance, I'll need to know what the people on the trawler are doing, so I can play the Seals correct, and I need to know what Heinrich is doing since he left the helicopter.

IC: The sub captain had the second Seal team prep in case something happened to the first team. They were armed with MP5s and M9s, but also had C4, detonators, and scuba gear.

The distraction team was dead, but they had served their purpose. The collection team sneaked onto the ship, located the crate and loaded it into a disguised ambulance. They drove away, picking up a few survivors to avoid looking suspect. These, of course, were quickly killed. The plan seemed to work.

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

The crew onboard the trawler did as the ASoGM captain told them. Keeping their hands on their head, they tried to look like inncoent fishermen.

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

Finally. Heinrich crawled out of the Zodiac and took his first steps on the island the helicopter crew had told him about. Great, he thought. Now i just have to aqcuire a boat so I can get back to my brothers. Aren't there any settlements or something on this cursed island? He walked away from the shore in hope of finding one.

The aero-patrolcraft had seen the ambulance take the crate of the container, and was now attempting to track it across the busy island.

"Aero-dropship, don't move in until vehicle stops. Then we will be sure of location."

The ambulance was driven to a fairly large villa with a nice sea view. In a nearby marina, a yatch was prepared. If the crate was taken to the mainland, it would be almost impossible to track. if the Alfegans were to act, they had to act quickly...

"Right, we have a yaucht in the water and the ambulance has pulled up nearby. We cannot let them get outside Neo'ilos waters. Is that understood?"

"Clear. Aero-dropship inbound. ETA is 4 minutes. We need to get the enemy yaucht out of the water so they can't escape."

"Correct. We have two screamers and a puff dragon armed. Clear to fire?"

"Clear."

The aero-patrolcraft changed engine pitch, before two streaks of fire came from the sides of the control gondola: a pair of 5kg AT missiles, targeted on the yaucht. Once the yaucht was gone, the enemy were sitting ducks for the inbound dropship.

The distraction team was dead, but they had served their purpose. The collection team sneaked onto the ship, located the crate and loaded it into a disguised ambulance. They drove away, picking up a few survivors to avoid looking suspect. These, of course, were quickly killed. The plan seemed to work.

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

The crew onboard the trawler did as the ASoGM captain told them. Keeping their hands on their head, they tried to look like inncoent fishermen.

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

Finally. Heinrich crawled out of the Zodiac and took his first steps on the island the helicopter crew had told him about. Great, he thought. Now i just have to aqcuire a boat so I can get back to my brothers. Aren't there any settlements or something on this cursed island? He walked away from the shore in hope of finding one.

The first Seal team used flex cuffs on all of the trawler's crew. Then the crew were patted down for any concealed weapons or intelligence linking them to the AHC. After the trawler's crew was secured, the team leader got on his radio and informed the sub captain. A search of the trawler was started, to find any intelligence that could be useful for fighting the AHC.

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

Submerged to 50 feet, the SSN Allegiance stealthily followed Heinrich to the island. After the sonar operator informed the captain that the noise from the Zodiac's propellor had stopped, the captain headed towards the marina to wait.

OOC: The background of the the island is it's a tourist spot in international waters, and only accessible by boat, as there was no airport on the island. There is a marina on the north end.

Also, don't forget that Heinrich was given a waterproof radio with encryption, as well as weapons and other supplies.

Soon, an Angel-class Submarine rescue ship, FRS Angel, flanked with the FRS Excellence, a cruiser, arrived on the scene. The FRS Angel lowered 2 DSRVs, and began recovery work.

The salvage ship and the DSRV crews were glad for the extra help. A cargo barge was called to store anything pulled from the bottom, as the salvage ship's deck was starting to get crowded. At the same time, the recovered nukes were crated up into 2 crates, and 2 V-22 Opreys were called in from the mainland to haul them back to Camp Bradley.

One of the tourist groups on the island came near where Heinrich was, but most of the group paid him no mind. There was one individual that blended into the group well, that covertly watched Heinrich's movement away from the beach. When Heinrich was out of sight, the individual spoke into their lapel and said, "Target is on the move, away from my location". A male voice responded with an acknowledgment of the information.

The yatch exploded as the two missiles struck. At the villa, the AHC soldiers swore. Now they were trapped. Only one option remained: to fight to death and take as many Alfegans as possible with them. They gathered for one last collective prayer, then took their weapons and prepared for battle.


The submarine's crew would find nothing, as the AHC men had been carefull in removing all possible evidence. All weapons now rested in the deep sea.

Heinrich started to move north, stopping to eat and drink from the supplies he had been given.

The aero-dropship approached the villa at 90 mph, the turboprops droning as they pushed the airship forewards. Onboard, the single platoon of 24 men waited for their drop. They had a plan at least: one section would be dropped on the seaward-side of the villa, one on the landward side and the other would be held in reserve on the aero-dropship, providing covering fire from above with the door guns and their own weapons.

The first section lept out as the airship came towards the villa, activating their parachutes as soon as they had left the airship. The next section lept out a few seconds after, falling downwards towards the sand of the beach.
There was a change in engine tone as one of the engines went into reverse, and a whine as the airship's tail and ailerons changed position. As it came slowly back round towards the villa, the men onboard began to fire with a pair of 12.7mm AF HMGs, a 7.62mm Minimi and 4 AF-07 assault rifles onto the villa building and the gardens. Roof tiles shattered and shrubberies ripped themselves to pieces as the huge volume of rounds began to shower onto the enemy.

A hiss and then a roar, as an AAT-87 missile launcher was fired, the 8kg HEAT warhead-equipped projectile hurtling downwards, guided by designator on one of the squad I.C's assault rifles, followed by a fireball and explosion as it exploded on contact with the side of the villa, demolishing the side of the building.

If the AHC were going to fight, they knew from bittter experience it would be to the death. They hoped they didn't kill everyone in there though. They did wnat to find a few men to hand in to the government for "questioning".

The Alfegans were met with determined fire from the 25 AHC soldiers in the building. A man were firing a heavy machine gun from the rooftop, peppering the airship with bullets. Another were operating a mortar in the ruins of the side of the villa. A group with light machine guns and hand grenades were firing from the second floor. Others barricaded the doors and took up firing positions inside the building, waiting for the aeromarines to come closer.

The multiple rounds fired back at the airship began to rip through the interior cell structure of the airship, leaving hundreds of tiny perforations. However, with the fact that helium rises upwards, little bouyancy was lost from the cells shot up on their undersides, with any leaks minimal.

On the ground though, the enemy were a problem: the troops on the ground were out-numbered, but weren't defeated yet as they pepper-potted thorugh cover towards the building. When the machineguns on the second floor opened fire though, that was when the problems set in. Especially with the mortar.

The standard armament of the fireteams were 3 AF-07Ps each, and a specialist weapon, with one of the AF-07Ps with either a designator or a grenade launcher. At the moment, there were a pair of Minimi machineguns chattering away at enemy movement in the Delta fireteams who hung back to give fire supprot, while the Charlie fireteams advancing towards the buildings in whatever cover they could find had grenade launchers, used to try and clear the building from outside of the enemy.

However, the body count had begun to mount: 3 men were dead and another man was wounded. If they lost too many more people, they would ahve to retreat. And call in the big guns.

___________________________________________


The firefight in the villa had attracted the attention of a Consul-class Aerocruiser lurking over one of the shipping lanes: once it got in range, within 10 minutes, the villa and its occupants would be history. And since it had got orders from the island authorities and not from the aeromarine force, who were operating a secretive mission, it did not know that the AHC were wanted alive. Or that the aeromarines and the aero-dropship would likely as not be destroyed.

The AHC had good cover inside the building. Still, the Alfegan fire had taken it's toll: two men laid dead, and one was seriously wounded. While the men on the second floor and in the ruined side of the building kept up their fire, three AHC troopers executed a special plan. Two men, armed with a light machine gun, covered a third, who rushed out of the house with a special weapon: a flame-thrower. He unleashed the fire against the Charlie fireteam, screaming and laughting. AHC troopers didn't fear death.

(OOC: There is a charlie fireteam coming from either side of the villa: one from the coast and one from inland)

"You fuckers!"

The men who had managed to dive for cover in the bushes fired off heavy bursts, the junior corperal firing off a contact grenade towards the man with the flamethrower, hoping that that would stop the rest of them being incinerated as had happened to the two men standing up.

The men inside the airship gave a final heavy burst of fire, including another missile that flew into the roof blasting a massive hole in it and ripping thorugh supporting beams underneath, before leaping out and deploying their parachutes. They opened fire as soon as the parachutes were deployed, picking off anyone on the roof or outside the house.

The man fell to the ground, but rised again resumed the firing. His comrades fired at the bushes to drive out the Alfegans.

The AHC soldiers inside the building opened fire against the parachuters. The machine gunner on the roof fired a last burst against the parachuters before taking a round in the neck and falling of the roof.

One of the parchutists coming down spasmed as he was hit by machinegun fire, while another fell yelling as his parachute was torn to shreds, impacting into the ground with a terminal crunch.

In the bushes, the men continued to fire at the enemy, though they were still being cut down by the fire from the position. There were now only 9 out of the original 16 on the ground, who were still pinned down. It seemed that the AHC would win. And with no fall back plan, due to the underestimation of the enemy forces, they could only fight and die.

A pair of grenades arced into the building, followed by a loud explosion that shattered the windows still solid. With the idea that it might have taken out the men shooting at them, a group of three men ran out of the cover towards the house, firing off rounds on fully automatic at the building, with one of the sergeants emptying out his rifle then letting it fall on its sling while he drew his machinepistol, falling to the ground as a bullet hit him in the chest yet in his last moments emptying out the entire 40 round XL clip into the side of the building.

The yatch exploded as the two missiles struck. At the villa, the AHC soldiers swore. Now they were trapped. Only one option remained: to fight to death and take as many Alfegans as possible with them. They gathered for one last collective prayer, then took their weapons and prepared for battle.


The submarine's crew would find nothing, as the AHC men had been carefull in removing all possible evidence. All weapons now rested in the deep sea.

Heinrich started to move north, stopping to eat and drink from the supplies he had been given.

The Seal team didn't find anything incriminating or of intelligence value. The Seal team leader called the sub and said that everything was squared away on the trawler. The captain called up the Zaheranians and informed them that a Seal team had captured the trawler, and would be bringing the crew in to the nearest Zaheranian port for the authorities to deal with. The team leader checked all the controls to make sure they weren't booby trapped, then started the boat, pushed the throttle to full, and headed in.

__________________________________

Heinrich was spotted heading towards the marina by an agent disguised as another tourist. As the agent made the appearance of looking around at the beautiful natural wonders the island had to offer, he kept watch of Heinrich out of the corner of his eye. It would be difficult to tell that the agent was looking anywhere but straight ahead, due to his wrap-around sunglasses. He watched Heinrich stop and eat, then head out. Once Heinrich was out of sight, he notified his command that Heinrich was still on target for the marina.

ASoGM naval command sent orders for any prisoners from the battle to be sent to the ASoGM mainland. The corpse of the man from the fishing trawler was also ordered to be sent to the mainland. The corpse was sealed in an airtight box for transport, and was loaded onto a helicopter. The helicopter then arrived at the salvage ship, which picked up the prisoner that was working with the AUM. Restrained in a stretcher, the prisoner was loaded, and the helicopter headed to Camp Bradley.

Once at Camp Bradley, the live prisoner would face a trial on the charges of terrorism, theft of government property, and murder. The deceased prisoner from the trawler would undergo a complete forensic autopsy, with the hope that there would be some evidence that the ASoGM could use to locate the AHC.

_________________________________

The DSRV located more of the munitions from the airship, and secured a line to it from the crane on the salvage ship. It was then hauled up. The cargo barge had arrived from the mainland, and the wreckage was transfered to that, while EOD teams were at work disarming the missiles that were pulled up.

The sergeant's bullets killed one of the men. The other, however, emptied his machine gun into the two running men. The man with the flame-thrower did a banzai charge, trying to light the bushes on fire.

A group of five men armed with submachine guns greeted the remaining parachuters with a hail of fire.

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

A delegation of military policemen and DSS agents were waiting for the ASoGM submarine to arrive. One captured trawler had already arrived, the crew safely tucked away in a armoured transport, and another had been captured by a Coast Guard patrol.

Heinrich finally arrived at the marina. He looked around to see if anyone had a boat for sale or if there was any ferry trafic on the island.