NationStates Jolt Archive

Akimonad Recommences Whaling Operations

Canvatica, Akimonad -- In a private question session at Arandor House, First Minister Dr. Jules Hodz announced the recommencement of Akimonad's previous suspended whaling operations. He says the move is profitable not only for the whalers, but also the government, which collects small duties based on catch.

"We've enacted the system of duties as an environmental measure. The fees collected are used to maintain the ecosystem of the whales."

Dr. Hodz also sent an offer to other Continentian nations that states that they are welcome to join the whaling operations. It also stated a clause of mutual respect for those that would not allow whaling in their waters.

Dr. Hodz said he predicts resistance to be minute at best.

During the announcements whaling ships were seen departing for the Akimonadi waters and economic exclusion zone.

OOC: Repost for less clutter. Continentian nations may post freely. All other nations may post diplomatic, non-conflict reactions freely. If you wish to send in a fleet of something or other, TG me and I will decide. Anyone who posts an offensive or aggressive action without approval will be ignored regardless of anything. I don't want this turning into the last thread.

Magisteriate for International Affairs

To Whaling Program Administration, Akimonad
From Magisteriate for International Affairs, on behalf of Barronian Anbaric Works, the State-owned utilities company

Subject Procurement of Whale By-products

Dear Sir/Madam,

We write in regards to your recent recommencing of your whaling program. We here at Barronian Anbaric Works have always needed fuel from varying sources to suit varying needs, and we find that in our smaller stations, whale blubber has been excellent in providing a renewable lubricant and boiler starter fuel, owing to it's naturally high fat content.

Whale blubber is often seen as a waste product in most circles, but owing to our expertise in its application, we come to you with an offer - we will purchase as much whale blubber as you can procure through your whaling method, and in return, we will pay as fair a price as you ask, along with investment in whaling companies and their equipment to ensure the highest efficiency possible.

Barronia has always held Akimonad in high esteem, and we hope this will further our relationship together.

Yours,

(Miss) Camelia St Pierre
Chief Board Officer
Barronian Anbaric Works

Official Imperial Decree

On order of the emperor the imperial government will allow Akimonad whaling vessels into imperial territorial waters under stipulations that no whaling occur out of predetermined time frames and that a % not to exceed 3% and not to be below 2% of all profits from whale's caught in imperial waters be payed to the imperial government.

Any attempts to harm or hamper whaling vessels or their crew while in imperial waters will result in swift military action against said person or persons.

Victor Cras
Minister of Trade and Commerce
Nigel Lums
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Authorized Response
From: Department of Whaling Regulation
To: Miss Camelia St. Pierre, Barronian Anbaric Works

Re: Procurement of whale by-products

Upon receipt of your request, First Minister Dr. Jules Hodz authorized Executive Order 2192, which directs all whalemeat processing facilities to collect all whale byproducts, mainly whale blubber, and package it for collection by our department. Following weekly collection, we have been instructed to ship the whalemeat to Barronian Anbaric Works following monthly payment of approximately $3.50 per pound of blubber.

We hope that this will be an acceptable arrangement.

~Matthew Oakley,
Director, Department of Whaling Regulation

Barronian Anbaric Works - Official Board Statement

To Matthew Oakley, Department of Whaling Regulation
From Camelia St Pierre, Barronian Anbaric Works

Subject RE: Re: Procurement of whale by-products

Mr Oakley,

This is indeed good news. Your price given is entirely acceptable, and we will immediately begin preparations for transport around Barronia.

Again, we thank you for your business.

Yours,

Camelia St Pierre
CBO
Barronian Anbaric

SS Rainbow Avenger, International Waters entering Akimonad Waters on Intercept with the Akimonad Whaling Fleet, Continentia:

The SS Rainbow Avenger was reconditioned Majestic Class Trawler designed to carry light to medium weight cargo around the world she was initially owned by the Vetakan Corporation the Bank of Victoria whom used her in its Maritime Cargo Logistics Operations however after a number of mechanical issues and operational issues she was given to the Vetakan Environmental Group "Clear Sky" as a show of goodwill and support. As a result it was reconditioned and modified to act as Clear Skies Flagship supporting a crew of 16 her mission was to raise the profile of the Clear Sky Group and fight the Environmental Fight as a result with the announcement of the recommencement of the Akimonad Whaling Operation it was decided, that the Rainbow Avenger would set sail to monitor and do what it could to disrupt the Operation as a result she had been sailing for 3 days now out of Vetaka and was finally gaining ground on her target of the fleet captained by Steve Baxter whom stood at the Helm she gracefully floated towards the Whaling Fleet.

The ship itself was painted in the style of a Rainbow the words "Clear Sky & Rainbow Avenger" where splashed across the ship in pink. A White Dove had been painted on Top Deck so all passing aircraft knew she was a ship of peace. The mood on the ship was one of jubilation and happiness in total 31 people where aboard these being 1 Captain, 15 crew and 15 wild protesters whom job it would be to make noise and generally disrupt the whalers operations. At the bow of the ship mounted onto a complex system of poles that stretched from the Port Box to the Starboard Bow was a massive gun like object that could be locked into a certain position on the poles or moved, to anybody whom saw it looked like some sort of World War I Artillery Piece in reality it was a British World War II Aritillery Piece hooked up to a rather old PSI Pressure Pump that had been rigged to propel objects across a set number of distances depending on pressure applied and elevation this was "Big Baxter" named after the Captain she was one huge paintball gun that would be used to splatter the Whalers with homemade Paintball Bombs. Besides from crate loads of fireworks and flares this was the only offensive weapon the Rainbow Avenger Carried well that and the loudspeakers attached to the Crows nest that currently played "Dont Stop Believing" by Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ip1zsUIosoA)to the dancing protesters and crew. In all spirits where high as Organic Alcohol flowed freely, Vegetarian Food was eaten graciously, and Drugs where smoked and snorted simply and of course hippy free love could be heard easily from the cabins below deck even Captain Baxter was drinking, eating, smoking and fucking a rather attractive drug infused women at the Helm.

As the day wore on and the Sun moved across the blue clear skies the mood of the ship eventually became somewhat bored but then it happened Baxter spotted on the first Whaler a small black dot on the horizon he smiled and spoke in a somewhat thicker tone than normal:

"I got em"

With that the mood changed to one of action as Big Baxter was prepared for operation the music switched to "I don't feel like dancing" by the Scissor Sisters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXZ1tygRaVw). As the Rainbow Avenger sped up slightly and drew closer to the Whaler two rather loud and large Fireworks screamed into the air and exploded signalling her arrival. Big Baxter fire twice the first shot missing the second smashing into the Whalers Port Side sending red paint across the grey. The song ended and Captain Baxter's voice boomed across the Airways:

"This is the Clear Sky Group Ship SS Rainbow Avenger leave the Whales alone dude or be pelted with Paint"

The speakers died just as he burst into laughter the drug infused crew and protesters all giggled together as a second song began this time "Take Your Mama Out" by the Scissor Sisters (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdJqbvPrY2c&feature=related) the Avenger Cheered and a further paintbomb streaked towards the Whaler.

M/V Silent Hunter
"Oi!" shouted one of the workers on the deck as paint splattered across him. He sprinted to a box near him and opened it, pulling out a flare gun. He leveled it with the Rainbow Avenger and fired, a flare streaming across the sea and towards the ship.

On the bridge of the ship, the captain looked with surprise at the trawler next to him.

"Get whatever you can," he ordered, "And get them away."

He spun the wheel quickly and ran the engines up to full. They could at least outrun them.

Back on the deck, men now assembled along the rail, some with firearms, others with flares and others with spearguns. They cleared out of the way for a moment as one of the harpoons spun around and fired at the Rainbow Avenger.

AMCGS Monad City, on routine patrol 50 nm from Rainbow Avenger scuffle

"Sir, we've received a distress call from a whaler saying they're being attacked and impeded by some sort of environmental pirates." an XO said to the captain of the Monad City.

"Chrissake..." the captain mumbled. "Turn us around and let's head over there."

The ship turned towards the apparent location of the scuffle, ran up its engines and sped off towards the disturbance.

Encrypted Message to Intelligence Unit of all Nations within Continentia, The Information contained within this message is Classified and is not suitable for public release it should be Classified by the Receivers Protocol:

Official Free Dominion of Vetaka Diplomatic Message:

To: All Intelligence Agencies within Continentia
From: Francis Miller, Head of Intelligence Liaison, Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service

Special Priority: YES (Akimonad Plan6)
Priority Level: Low
Threat Level: Low
Foreign Affairs Approved: Yes
Message Type: Regional Alert

All Agencies should be aware that at preciesly 04:30 New Helgan Local Time the Maritime Trawler the Rainbow Avenger which is registered to the Environmental Group Clear Sky left New Helgan Harbour. Classified Vetakan Intelligence Assets believe the Trawler has departed on intercept with a known Akimonad Whaling Fleet in response to the recommencement of Akimoand Whaling Activities.

The Clear Sky Group are currently under investigation by Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service for a number of crimes. The Group is currently labelled as "Environmental Terrorists" for numerous things Extreme Caution should be exercised when encountering the Group. Further Intelligence is available on request from VSIS regarding the Group its Aims, History and Members.

Any Nation that encounters the Group or the Rainbow Avenger should contact VSIS for advice.

Yours

Francis Miller

Head of Intelligence Liaison, Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service.

Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service, General Headquarters, New Theeb:

Agent Norton Grey flicked through the Intelligence Reports on his desk checking for anything urgent that had occurred during the weekend. Norton was the Intelligence Officer in charge of observing the activities of ships entering and leaving ports around Vetaka. He Operatives based at Ports and Harbours around Vetaka all of them observing the arriving and leaving ships and whom was aboard the policy whilst a tad invasive was necessary for the protection of the Dominion nothing much had opened over the weekend the odd Trawler which had acted suspisiously the odd suspicious punch up here and their but nothing to send alarm bells ringing as he neared the end of the pile his eyes narrowed on a report from New Helgan regarding a ship that had left early this morning the "Rainbow Avenger" he read it over and sighed picking up the phone he dialled a number he had obviously dialled before as it rang he leaned back in his chair and sighed again:

"Tomkins its Grey, how are you?............. And the Wife?....... Don't we all...... Anyway I am afraid this is a business call rather than one of pleasure........ Haha of course anyway the Rainbow Avenger Trawler registered to Clear Sky left New Helgan Harbour this morning at around 4:30 with 30 or so people aboard we reckon its going after the Akimonad Whaling Fleet. My guys know Steve Baxter and a number of the other radicals are aboard as far as the VSIS Command Directorate goes VSIS involvement ends here apart from informing the Akimonad Plan6 boys I intend to file it and get home before the Christmas Rushour..... Of Course ill clear it with Internal Affairs and the CD but yeah ill fax it over to you............. Of Course....... Give me regards to the Wife............. Bye"

Grey put the phone down and proceeded to feed files into the encrypted Fax Machine which buzzed and whirled.

SS Rainbow Avenger, International Waters entering Akimonad Waters on Intercept with the Akimonad Whaling Fleet, Continentia:

Captain Baxter swaying from the affects of to much Drugs and Drink relished the current situation coming along side of the Whaler as best he could he tried to hold at the same speed and as steady as he could on the Silent Hunters Port Side under fire of Spears, Harpoons, Bullets and Flares the Protesters brought Big Baxter to aim and fired 2 further Paint bombs at the whaler not to mention a host of flares and fireworks however the Rainbow Avenger was old and prone to breakdown eventually the Engines hissed and cut out slowing down the Whaler pulled away and all Captain Baxter could do was curse the waves and the Silent Hunter sped away.

M/V Silent Hunter

"Captain, we got away." a sailor said. The captain looked behind him to a rapidly disappearing silhouette in the night sky.

"Well, the Coastal Guard should be here soon. Maybe they can fuck them up. They won't go away yet."

AMCGS Monad City

"Still out of range. We'll get there soon." the XO said quietly. Lights turned on across the vessel as night fell.

SIC:

Operations Room C-0142; 1402 Hours; 3 Days Ago
Continentia Sub-Division; Economic Terrorism Department;
BSIS Headquarters - Verd House; Bruxelles

"Sir, we've just recieved an incoming communication from the Station Chief in New Theeb"

"Yes?"

"Apparently the Clear Sky Group are on the move again. Their flagship - the Rainbow Avenger - has been reported leaving port and has not returned. They reccommend exercising extreme caution, describing the Clear Sky Group as Economic Terrorists."

"Right. So there's a ship full of hippies sailing around Continentia as we speak? Great," replied the on-duty Chief Targeting Officer. "Do they have any information on their potential target?"

"Yes, sir. They believe they're going after the Akimonadi whaling fleet."

"The Akimonadi have begun whaling again? Since when?"

"Yesterday, Sir."

"Bring up all the information we have on the Blue Sky group on screen one. A map of Akimonadi waters on screen two. I want everything we know about the Akimonadi whaling fleet on screen three. I want to know where both the whalers and the terrorists are, and I want to know five minutes ago," ordered the CTO, moving towards his circular desk at the rear of the room. This was a pretty standard operations room, one of hundreds within the confines of Verd House. A small team of analysts, communications and technical operations officers sat at individual consoles arranged in a semi-circle facing three large screens high-up on the wall.

"Why does the Clear Sky group ring a bell?"

"They've attempted to disrupt a number of key industries in recent years. Typically they come armed with paint guns, fireworks and loudspeakers and just attempt to create chaos sufficient to impede activities. They've done this to previous whaling fleets. They have typical environemental aims. We had an agent infiltrate the group a few years ago - from what he reported, they represented little threat and were generally too busy getting high and laid. They have, however, been suspected of recent attacks on Bruxellan shipping around Continentia. The Justice Department is considering classifying them as pirates, to allow the navy to sink them should they attempt to interfere with our economic interests" read out one of his analysts.

The CTO looked up and raised an eyebrow. "They've been interfering with our shipping?"

"Err...they've only been implicated as possible culprits..."

"But you say that Justice considers them pirates?"

"Err..."

"I think it's about time we sent a message to this group - that their attempts to disrupt Continentian commercial interests will not be tolerated. Get me the Assistant Director on the phone. Contact the Akimonadi Section Chief, keep him abreast of developments"

"Yes, sir"


Captain's Cabin, HSMS Poseidon;
International Waters;

ENCRYPTED. TOP SECRET. ENCRYPTED. TOP SECRET.
FROM: MODHQ
TO: COPOSEIDON

Proceed immiediately co-ordinates XX.X° N XX.X° W. Surface 1200 Zulu. Prepare to recieve SpecOp crew. Comply fully. END MESSAGE.

The Captain read through the decoded communication twice more, before putting it down on the deck and reaching for the intercom. "Captain to Control Room. Captain to Control Room. Lieutenant Commander Baxter to report to the Captain's Quarters immiediately. Repeat, Commander Baxter to the Captain's Quarters, over".

A few moments later, the XO stepped into the room.

"Yes, sir?"

"Prepare for the arrival of some...special guests. Set them up in the forward torpedo room. They'll probably require the front hatch..." he trailed off, mulling over his confusion at the unexpected nature of the unusually brief orders.

The XO looked at the Captain, puzzled. "Guests, sir?" he asked, wondering who on earth they could possibly be picking up in the middle of the ocean, at least a thousand miles from the nearest landmass.

"Yes, Commander. We've been reassigned a special operations mission. Set course as follows..."


RBAF Westland Whippet C.1 Transport Plane;
Approaching co-ordinates XX.X° N XX.X° W; 30,000 ft

Alpha One turned to take final stock of the rest of his team, all dressed in full black HALO gear, faces obscured by masks, ready for the jump. Giving them a thumbs up, he double-checked his watch and looked back towards the open door of the plane, keeping his eye on the red-green lights above it.

"Five...four...three...two..." he muttered to himself, before running forwards and diving off the edge of the ramp, beginning his free fall.

Five miles below, the Poseidon broke the surface, its Commander scanning the horizon for any sign of life, or of the Special Ops people they were meant to be picking up. Having assumed that they would be waiting aboard a yacht or something similar, he was concerned by the distinct lack of anything on the horizon.

"Sir! Twenty degrees to starboard!" the starboard lookout cried out, pointing up near-vertically at eight large black specks falling from the sky.

"What in God's name..." swore the Captain, as parachutes erupted from these specks, sudden realisation and awe hitting him. As they began to slow their descent it became clear that these were six people and what must be two large RIBs. They struck the water a few hundred metres away, and the Special Ops team seemed almost immediately to swing into action, climbing aboard their RIBs...

AMCGS Monad City

The radar lock beeped. "In range!" the captain shouted excitedly.

An XO ran up to him, a paper in hand. "Urgent message from HQ." he said.

The captain unfolded the paper and read the message.

TO: Captain, AMCGS Monad City
FROM: AMCG EEZ SECTION HQ

DISCONTINUE CURRENT OPERATIONS. STOP.
CONTACT M/V SILENT HUNTER AND ESCORT BACK TO BASE 33Z. STOP.
ALL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO PIRATE SCUFFLE CLASSIFIED. FULL STOP.

The captain scowled. "Stop the pirate hunt." he ordered. "Take us towards the attacked whaler."

The captain sighed, frustrated. He wanted some action some time. Instead he would have a debriefing.

The Foreign Office of Isate, Isata, and Co~

Isate and co~ repeat our concerns regarding your whaling programme, and implore you to treat the environment with more care.

At your request, we have called off our less friendly anti-whaling procedures and have ended our embargo. We shall continue to only ban meat and animal produce (which is entirely normal for us, as vegetarianism is compulsory). We have also re-routed our private jet of freedom fighters, which will return to Isatian airspace soon.

However, a medium-sized unarmed fleet shall soon set sail for Akimonad waters, to rescue whales in partnership with SilentScope003. We have always been committed to peace, so will not be interfering in any military battles. We seek only to liberate whales and grant them full citizenship once relocated to our waters. Our first fleet's duration in the area should be no longer than a week.

Whale Futures Listed on VME, Soar Limit in First-Day Trading

Vetalia City, Vetalia- Investors cheered the return of Akimonadi whale products to the world market with a stunning 10% rise in the first day of futures trading. Nearly 165.3 million orders were put in for the February contracts, a record level surpassing the 129.9 million peak prior to Akimonad's cessation of the whaling industry. Each consists of 1,000 pounds of bulk whale products for delivery at Petrovsk on February 1st.

Investors are confident that the demand for whale products will remain strong, particularly in the niche applications sought by the Vetalian market. Overall Vetalian demand for whale products in the year 2048VE are estimated at 2.093 billion pounds, or approximately 19,000 whales. However, analysts note that this reflects pent-up demand from previous years and is not a good indicator of future trends in the Vetalian whale market.

Diplomatic Communique from Oily Prata
The Free Republic of Oily Prata applauds Akimonad's restarting of commercial whaling. Oily Prata, while having a ban on commercial whaling in all the waters close to Oily Prata that contain a large number of whales, continues to conduct 'scientific experiments' of a small group every year.(I have been part of those 'experiments', and they are quite tasty) Thus, we would like to invite the Akimonad fishing industry to ship all whale waste to Oily Prata, where they are used for the selfless purpose of being processed and donated as Spam to needy families. We are prepared to pay up to 1.50 USD a pound.
Please consider our proposal.
Regards
Nikolaus Tezla
Foreign Minister
Free Republic of Oily Prata

Authorized Response
From: Department of Whaling Regulation
To: Whom it may concern, Oily Prata
Re: Procurement of whale by-products

As Akimonadi whale products are shipped throughout the world, it would be easier to procure them from a local source and pay less for logistics.

~Matthew Oakley,
Director, Department of Whaling Regulation

SS Rainbow Avenger, International Waters-Akimonad Waters to rear ofthe Akimonad Whaling Fleet, Continentia:

Baxter cursed again as the controls on the bridge failed to do anything besides make a rather depressing clicking noise. He turned on his feel and made his way out of the bridge down a small set of stairs, through the ship and on to the Engineering Room bursting into the room through the bulk he was angered to find the room was silent expecting to find his Chief Engineer and his three subordinate Engineers working to rectify the problem he found them all slumped in the Engineering Office sleeping he looked around the darkened room his eyes narrowing on a now empty bottle of Vodka on the floor snatching it up he hurled at the Engineering Office's Window it smashed and luckily failed to smash the Office's connecting window the Chief Engineer a rather fat man woke and Captain Baxter barked:

"Dooley, Get the fuck up you fat bastard I have no power and they are getting away. I don't pay you to sleep"

A Sleepish Dooley burst into life and replied:

"Aye Sir, Sorry Sir"

Turning on his heel a drunkard Baxter made his way back to the bridge which a journey usually taking 5 minutes took 30 as he met a rather attractive, drunken protester whom he bedded in one of the darkened empty cabins. On return to the bridge Baxter chuckled with the return of power he regained radar and set a pursuit course with the Whaling Fleet putting the ship just below full speed he prayed the engines would hold.

Vetakan Defence Force Naval Ship Blackbird, International Waters, Continentia:

VDFNS Blackbird was a Type 42 Destroyer attached to the VDF 5th Naval Battlegroup she was the last ship of her class in Operation within the Vetakan Naval Defence Force her current deployment on Maritime Patrol around Continentia was to be her last before she was to be decommissioned in the Shipyards of New Helgan. The VDFNS Blackbird was on its return to Vetaka on its last voyage when she intercepted the distress signal from the Whaler tracing the signal they discovered it originated within Akimonad Waters following diplomatic protocol the Captain a man by the name of Captain Matthew Jones informed Vetakan Defence Force High Command & Akimonad Naval Command with this a set of well rehearsed procedures burst into action. First of all VDF High Command informed the Foreign Affairs Department whom sent an Emergency Message to the Akimoand Embassy in New Theeb, Secondly VDF High Command informed Vetakan Security and Intelligence Service of the the Rainbow Avenger Intelligence as a result fearing a diplomatic incident the High Commander on call at VDF High Command whom at that time was Vice President Dr Perry Cox ordered the VDFNS Blackbird to plot an intercept course of the Rainbow Avenger but to remain within International Waters at all times further to this the nearest two Vessals where diverted to assist the Blackbird these being 2 Chieftain Class Pocket Battleships which had just left the West Prestonia Colony.

OBSAT MILITARY COMMUNICATION:

TO: AKIMONAD NAVAL COMMAND
FROM: VDF HIGH COMMAND

INTERCEPTED WHALER DISTRESS SIGNAL STOP EXTREME CAUTION ADVISED IN PURSUIT OF RAINBOW AVENGER STOP AVENGER IS A KNOWN VETAKAN TERROR BASED ASSET STOP CONSULT PLAN6 INTELLIGENCE STOP VDF EXTREMELY CONCEREND TYPE 43 VDFNS BLACKBIRD DIVERTED TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IF REQUIRED STOP VDFNS BLACKBIRD WILL REMAIN IN INTERNATIONAL WATERS AT ALL TIMES FULL STOP

Special Forces RIBs
Alongside SS Rainbow Avenger during temporary stop

Having watched the Rainbow Avenger slowly come to a standstill, now merely adrift in the ocean, Alpha Team struck. Swiftly but quietly they came alongside the vessel - lit up brightly and with godawful 'hippy music' playing out across the ocean, the occasional firework screaming into the air.

One of the boats came alongside the stern; the other the bow. Both manned by a team of three, one kept a lookout whilst the other two hurriedly attached limpet mines just below the water's surface, where analysis back at Verd HQ had assessed the most damage would occur - but with the minimal loss of life.

Once armed and with the timers set, the two boats slowly moved away, before turning to head for the rendezvous with the Poseidon. As the bright lights of the Rainbow Warrior became little more than a glow on the horizon, they listened out for the explosions.

SS Rainbow Avenger, International Waters-Akimonad Waters to rear of the Akimonad Whaling Fleet, Continentia:

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM

The explosion was deafening, the multiple secondary explosions from the fireworks and flares shook the ship more so. Ir began to list to port slightly the various windows across the ship shattered as flames licked the ship. Its windows shattered and all power to the ship failed the music died and the screams of the injured and dying rang out. Captain Baxter whom had been drinking at the time suddenly lost his intoxication as adrenaline flowed through his blood he ran to the Helm everything was dead he hit buttons bring on the Auxiliary Secondary Generators the intercommunication radio burst into life:

"THIS IS DOOLEY, THE ENGINE ROOM HAS BEEN BREACHED WE HAVE EVACUATED AND SEALED THE ROOM. WE HAVE BEEN HIT BY A MINE OR A TORPEDO EITHER WAY THE ENGINE ROOM HAS A FUCKING HUGE HOLE INTO IT AND WE ITS TAKING ON WATER BAXTER ABANDON THE SHIP FOR I AM ESCAPING WITH OR WITHOUT YOU"

Baxter failed to reply he turned to ships communications message and activated the Distress Beacon, the Vetakan Distress Merchant Shipping Beacon (VDMSB) hammered out a repeating distress message on all channels and frequencies it said:

"ALL SHIPS THIS IS SS RAINBOW AVENGER URGENT AID REQUESTED STOP TAKEN DAMAGE VIA UNKNOWN MEANS URGENTLY REQUESTED AID CO-ORDINATES (XXX,XXX XXX,XXX) ENTERING LIFEBOATS GOD HELP US"

With that done he grabbed the Ships log book, and a bottle of whisky before running out into the carnage of the deck:

"ABANDON SHIP"

SIC:

ENCRYPTED. TOP SECRET. ENCRYPTED. TOP SECRET.
FROM: AL10142Z
TO: VERDHQ

Mission accomplished. END MESSAGE.

AMCGS Monad City, near Rainbow Avenger wreck

By now the Monad City had received new orders to return and pursue the Rainbow Avenger. The ship had turned around and sped towards the ship. It was 30 knots off when the limpet mines detonated.

The boom echoed, and forceful waves rocked the ship.

"What the hell was that?" yelled the captain.

An XO got out some binoculars and observed. "They're listing heavily and sinking." he said.

"Dispatch the RIBs with armament." the captain ordered. "These guys are terrorists and I won't let them get away."

Five RIBs were dispatched with five men in each, all armed with submachine guns. They surrounded the wreck and survivors.

The Monad City turned so that its broadside faced the wreck.

Meanwhile, five more frigates were dispatched, as well as one battlecruiser. A salvage ship was also dispatched.

The Rainbow Avenger had now turned completly on its side half of the ship was now submerged on the water. In total 2 of the ships 4 lifeboats had been launched to which they where both now joined together by ropes. Captain Baxter had done a quick head count and discovered he was two people missing a quick scan of the water and the ship had revealed nothing as a result it was now assumed the two missing had perished in the evacuation.

With this Baxter via the Lifeboats distress signals was sending Emergancy Signals on all Channels in the hope of gaining some sort of response he was quite surprised that after just 10 minutes he sighted ships on the horizon approaching him, now filled with glee he sent up flares in rapid succession when the boats neared he screamed:

"Help Us!!! Help Us!!!! OI HELP US"

"There they are." said one of the marines, pointing to the flares. The boats sped up and encircled the lifeboats.

"Good day." said one, cocking his submachine gun. "And good night." He pulled the trigger, spraying one of the lifeboats and its passengers with bullets.

The other marines followed suit, opening fire on the ragtag band until they were sure they were all dead.

Meanwhile, off the wreck somewhat, the previously requested fleet had amassed. The ships now moved to encircle the wreck while the salvage ship moved towards the wreck and began attempting to lift it from the seabed.