NationStates Jolt Archive

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c140/berrik/ANLogoSmall-1.jpg

Official Announcement, Axis Nova Office of Foreign Affairs

Having recently reached an agreement in intensive secret negotions with the Free Republic of Kahanistan, Axis Nova will be fulfilling the terms of the treaty to provide financial aid and technical support to help rebuild the beleagured nation and assist it in resisting foreign aggression in the future.

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

A short time after the announcement, many, many transports begin to arrive at various airports in Kahanistan. The first contain mostly people: more diplomats to make sure things go smoothly and to ensure that matters proceed to the liking of the Kahanistanis, Zimmad Company representatives to lease space for a local office, the initial deployment of a corps of engineers, bureaucrats to help administer the effort, and so on, and so forth. The next ones contain field hospitals, food and medical supplies, and so on, which are immediately dispatched to a holding area in preparation for deployment to the many refugee camps across the nation.

It seems that Axis Nova is preparing a major effort to aid Kahanistan, and what the scope of this effort will be remains unknown for the moment... except to the governments of Axis Nova and Kahanistan.

Foreign Minister Dragomir Karovic approached the Axis Novan leader. He was a slightly overweight man in his late 50's, dressed as a typical Western executive, and had lost much of his hair; the remainder was white.

"I am the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Dragomir Karovic. I'm wondering if any of these supplies are destined for the capital... New Masada. It has the largest population so far, and looks like a giant refugee centre outside the S.E.Z.'s. The whole place is a 19th century opium den, the crime, the people throwing barrels of shit out into the street, the lack of proper plumbing in a lot of areas..."

As the ambassador approaches, a man with a PDA and a harried look on his face looks up, then smiles and steps away from the people he's talking to, extending a hand. As he approaches, his figure becomes apparent: a tall, wiry man with a weathered tan, short brown hair, and blue eyes, and a narrow face.

"A pleasure to meet you at last, Ambassador. I am General Constantine Maluka, and I'm in charge of the 274th Saracens. We're a mechanized division being deployed out of Numonica to supply humanitarian aid, and we have an additional regiment of engineers attatched-- we're also here in cooperation with Zimmad Corporation, as you may have noticed."


Tapping on his PDA, he hands it to the ambassador, with a satellite map of the capital being shown, certain areas highlighted and flashing. "Concentrating on the capital first is fine-- we'll have a few portable fusion reactors stationed down at your port in a matter of hours for temporary water purification, which should help considerably. I propose that field hospitals be deployed to the points highlighted on the map there-- just tap the screen to highlight the area, slide your finger along that thingie there to zoom in... Also, if we can get some permission, we can start putting in some new pipes and so forth right away. That's mostly Zimmad Company's thing-- our orders are to provide some heavy equipment support to them and let them hire locals for most of the work."

In the background, another one of the large Valkyrie-class dropships comes in over the runway, a ripple of heat below it as it carefully sets itself down. Numerous other identical aircraft can be seen scattered around the airport, doing the best they can to coordinate with the somewhat harried crew of the control tower; the airport was apparently not originally designed to accept spacecraft, and though the Valkyries seem to spread their weight out enough to avoid damaging the ground, they're somewhat larger than the taxiways are designed to accomodate. After the dull roar of the engines dies down, General Maluka continues.

"It will take us some time to completely deploy everything here-- we're landing at most of the airports in the country right now, and there's a convoy of Sea Devils on the way as well-- they should be here next week. We can get started on basic stuff right away, but it will take time to get anything big going-- the Zimmad folks need their equipment too."

The scene across the airport is one of barely controlled chaos, as Axis Novan vehicles roll every which way, Minuteman II units and infantry form up (and help unload things) and trucks haul away crates full of supplies and equipment. A heavy loader stumps out of one of the dropships, carrying a large wooden crate, but a baggage tractor takes the wrong moment to swerve between it's legs, and the large, legged machine stumbles as the operator barely avoids tripping, dropping the crate by accident. The sound of breaking electronics can faintly be heard, as well as faint (but impressively diverse) curses coming from the operator, the loadmaster, and the driver of the tractor.

"Anything else I can do for you, Ambassador? I realize this looks like kind of a mess right now, but believe me, things are actually going pretty smoothly."

"Foreign Minister," said Karovic. "You might want to coordinate with the Macisikani so you don't run a pipeline through one of their maglev tunnels, but other than that... I can't see too many other problems. What is the status of the military infrastructure we were expecting?"

"Anyway... we have about a million people out of work, that we think might be interested in working as labourers, when we can get them organised into labour units."

[OOC: If you do this in future, please inform me. The events of this post happened as soon as the presence of the Axis Novan tanks and armed troops became apparent (they are there, right? thats the impression I got, although it may have been missed in the PMT jargon - if they arent, disregard this), so a lot of the RP so far didn't happen.]

Note passed to the Kahanistani President by the Praetonian High Commissioner to Kahanistan

Madame President

It was with some shock and incomprehension that I relayed to Kingston that an Axis Novan army had invaded Kahanistan on the invitation of the Kahanistani government. The cabinet is no doubt similarly stunned that such an event could take place without Kahanistan believing it need inform the existing Praetonian and Kregeian interests, not to mention those of the other major stakeholders in the Special Economic Zones.

The Crown Commonwealth has no objection to the supply of aid by foreigners to help the parlous Kahanistani state. Indeed, such donations are welcomed and encouraged by the Praetonian Government, and as you know many Praetonian charities operate in the country. It is quite another thing entirely for "aid" to come escorted by entire divisions of armed troops with heavy armoured vehicles. Despite his predisposition to believe that Kahanistan is acting in its interests and honourably in accordance with our agreements, it seems inconceivable to His Majesty that these troops are not present for the purposes of causing harm to the foreign subjects present in Kahanistan and their property, particularly in the special economic zones.

It is for this reason that His Majesty requests and requires, for the purposes of ensuring the general peace and stability of Kahanistan, as well as the safety of the Kahanistani people and the security of the present settlement of protection and prosperity that Kahanistan enjoys, that all armed troops, save for those of Kahanistan and the Kregeian missile defence bases, be expelled immediately from Kahanistan.

Yours Sincerely,

Dame Anne Croxley-Williams, KBS
High Commissioner

[OOC: Praetonia is primarily an MT nation. If Kahanistan wants to accept PMT in his country then I will accept it, but I may upgrade my own technology accordingly for the purposes of this thread, and this will be considered outside of my IC timeline.]

(post temporarily removed pending the resolution of the placement of a cactus)

[OOC: While you are asking to be informed about the actions of my government, there is an inquiry into my military status here (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=547233) that I foolishly assumed you would have either noticed or been informed of via the Draftroom grapevine and that you had not the RL time to reply.

As for PMT, I'll allow it within reason, though I myself am MT with the major exception of medicine, and some forms of construction dating back to when I was in a tiny sliver of the Middle East with a population peaking at ~3.6 billion. I have little patience for tech research.]

Ms. Croxley-Williams,

While I have my personal and political objections to the S.E.Z.'s, the use of military force to remove them is not an option that we have ever considered, nor will my administration ever consider; the loss of human life on both sides would outweigh any possible benefit, in economic independence, worker equality, military prestige, or national reputation, that could be gained from such violent action.

The Axis Novan forces are here at my express invitation, to protect the aid workers and the Republic from a possible foreign assault while our defence forces are concentrating on training new troops. Our enemies, as you are well aware, are not above striking hospitals or deploying nuclear weapons against civilian populations. These are most barbaric foes, against whom our old doctrine has proven faulty; it assumed the enemy would not seek to deliberately destroy civilian populations but instead conquer and assimilate them.

It is with this in mind that I must decline your demand to expel the soldiers of our ally. If the Axis Novans do strike the S.E.Z.'s, then I will do my duty as the elected leader of my nation and take what measures are required to protect the citizenry of the Republic.

Signed,
Nadia Sklenova,
President of Kahanistan

---

[OOC: She is basically saying she won't allow the use of military force (domestic or allied) to remove the S.E.Z.'s - the "loss of human life on both sides" refers to the fighting that such an attack would cause between Kahanistan and Praetonia, including civilian casualties caused by the attack itself, and she will do what she has to do to protect the citizens within should Praetonia's fears about an Axis Novan attack on the S.E.Z.'s come true.]

<snip>
[OOC: This post is ignored, along with the last bit of Kstan's. My government will respond to Kahanistan's refusal to expell your troops immediately, not leave the situation to stew for "several weeks".

I will reply further IC once I've been able to talk to Clan and Warmaster.

And Kstan, my ambassadors letter asked you to expell the AN troops (ie. tell them to leave, that they are no longer staying legitimately, as with an embassy), not fire on them.]

[OOC: In the meantime...]

Cars were dispatched to the Kahanistani Presidential Palace and to the Axis Novan occupied airport nearest the capital, carrying orders to invite the President and a suitably empowered person from the Axis Novan side to conduct negotiations to attend the High Commission. It was quite plain from the way the message was worded that, if it was ignored or refused, the likelihood was that the situation would spiral into conflict.

In truth, the Kahanistan desk in Kingston was panicking. Nothing was known about this beforehand, indeed it seemed deliberately to have been kept secret, and they were not so foolhardy to think that there was no ulterior motive to bringing in numerous foreign mechanised divisions without warning. The War Office was briefing the King and the Prime Minister that war was likely to result within the next 24 hours, given Kahanistan's intransigence even in the face of what was, in truth, a not-too-subtle threat. The Colonial Office was hastily trying to work out how it would need to expand in order to accomodate the new bureaucracy that would afterwards be responsible for Kahanistan's administration.

More practically, the ships at IN Portland Down were being put to sea, and the Corps stationed there made ready to move into the countryside. It was hoped that the runways could be knocked out within the first two hours, and with that the Axis Novan campaign would be doomed to failure eventually. The incident was regrettable, the government believed, as they had wanted to believe that Kahanistan was salvageable, but it was, they believed, simply too untrustworthy to recover from this unless the last ditch attempt at a peaceable solution, the High Commission meeting, ended in success. Increasingly, the government was beginning to regret ever encouring "this rotten country" to seek foreign investment.

"I should have known," said President Sklenova, angrily slamming the stack of letters on her desk. "They aren't interested in our independence at all. They just want to control us, and if they can't do it economically, they'll do it militarily. Get Army Group Capital mobilised, and give me a full report on our stockpile situation. We're not going capitalist as long as I'm President."

"Yes, Miss President," said the newly minted Defence Minister, General Mustafa Lavalle. "I've taken the liberty of putting the First Air Force on DEFCON-ORANGE. Civil Defence is conducting drills, and we've got surface-to-air missile batteries protecting the more critical air bases, but most are still guarded only by 40mm E.T.C. flak cannons."

"I want every aircraft we have up in the air. Cover the defensible airfields, we'll need them for our tankers to refuel us in flight and to rearm in battle," said the President.

"Miss President, are you... certain we'll have a war? If fighting does break out, we're in no condition to fight. I'd move we just surrender, pull a Denmark later."

"The Denmark option won't work here," said Sklenova. "Praetonia isn't Nazi Germany, it's more like the British Raj, post-East India Company. As long as most people have bread and circuses, they'll be apathetic enough not to fight. Sad, but true. Praetonia's not stupid enough to deliberately antagonise factions who aren't already political threats by shipping ethnic groups off to death camps. Of course, I'll attend this meeting, I'll try to avoid war. I was elected as a protector, not a warrior. My role is to protect the people, only fight if necessary, not to pursue a policy of war with stronger nations."

"Agreed, Miss President. May the Blessed Virgin protect us from aggression."

Sklenova was an agnostic. She merely nodded politely. "May we be protected."

---

The Praetonians got a brief note from the President of Kahanistan. She would attend the meeting with Praetonian leaders.

(ooc: it's just one mechanized division, not a lot. =p If I was actually expecting trouble, THEN I'd deploy a lot. Arrival post will be made after Kahanistan's.)

In an office at the Axis Novan embassy, a man with gray hair and rolled up sleeves juggles several phone conversations at once. Things are a great deal more busy than usual-- the suprise sprung on them by the military regarding the Praetonians' reaction to an Axis Novan unit suddenly appearing out of the blue, so to speak, had caused the Office of Foreign Affairs to act somewhat similar to that of a kicked anthill.

"Yes, yes, he's on his way to this meeting or what right now. He should be there within the hou-- hold on, I have to take this--"

Pressing a button on the phone in front of him and switching to another line, he continues speaking.

"Now, where were we? Oh, yes, this thing with the Praetonians-- Foreign Affairs apparently dropped the ball on this one, right in the pot, at that! What did they think would happen if we suddenly dropped in right out of nowhere like this? No one thought to let them know? No foreign relations? Why didn't we establish some? Call me back when you have more!" *click*

Another button press, another line.

"That's right, General-- those orders are correct. Keep unloading, but do NOT send anything more into the city right now, and keep the "special goods" right under wraps! And keep anyone in the city away from the Praetonian enclave!"

Click, click.

"Kahanistan is a Praetonian protectorate? Since when!? Why didn't they tell us? The only stuff you gave us said they had some companies in that enclave of theirs!"

*beeep*

As soon as the old man hangs up the phone, it immediately beings beeping at him again, with a number of different lines showing incoming calls.

"Christ, what a situation. And I'm due to retire next year too. I don't need this shit!"

Elsewhere

A hastily put-together motorcade bulls it's way through the early afternoon traffic in the capital of Kahanistan, consisting of a pair of locally produced sedans full of security personnel, and an Axis Novan produced Tortoise limousine. In deference to the local sensibilities, the car's usual weapons load is absent, but the armor still remains, which slows it down a bit compared to some of the other traffic. The slight hum of the electric drive contrasts with the roaring of the gasoline engines from it's escorts, which flash their lights and sound their sirens, moving on their way to the meeting site. On top of the car, a small satellite dish and a radio antenna are in evidence, the dish stubbornly swivelling to stay pointed in a certain direction as the car maneuvers it's way through the city. Within it...

----

John Lusitana curses in a low, steady monotone as he reads the information popping up on his PDA, making notes every now and then with a stylus.

"Goddamn military... why don't they ever listen to us first?"

The middle-aged man runs a hand through his short brown hair, checking his reflection in the fold-down mirror. It appears as though everything is in place, including the harrassed expression on his face as he glances down at the PDA again, and deactivates it in disgust.

"What a mess..."

High Commission meeting

A slender, attractive blonde woman in her early to mid 30's, dressed in a navy blue skirt and jacket, wearing flat, fashionable dress shoes (at 5'5", she saw no reason to artificially inflate her height or, God forbid, appear to be towering menacingly over the Praetonians) and carrying a large briefcase, walked into the meeting room. Despite its size, she did not seem to find it heavy, perhaps due to the physical fitness regimen she had begun when joining the Air Force twelve years earlier and kept since.

She sat down across from the High Commissioner, smiled warmly, and extended her hand. "Nadia Sklenova, President of Kahanistan," she said calmly. She spoke in a friendly tone to the Praetonian, even if she saw her as the enemy; while an accomplished military officer and long-time member of the Communist Party of Kahanistan, she was at her heart a peaceable woman, interested in the freedom of her people, not in war.

Sklenova set the briefcase on the table and crossed her legs. "The Axis Novans should be here any minute." She looked at her watch, a cheap Timex brand, befitting a politician who had no desire to distance herself from the war-weary, poor people who had voted for her.

Warminster, Clandonia

"Scrawly showers to the North East of the country will become wintery with snow on higher ground..." *Beeeep* "We interrupt tonight's weather to bring you urgent breaking news, reports have come in of invasion by Axis Nova into Kahanistan, a protectorate of Clandonia, Praetonia and Kriegoria. Such an action has been reported by some sources as an open invitation of rebellion by the communist government in Kahanistan. The government type has announced along with the King that these foreign troops pose a grave risk to Clandonian financial assets and Crown citizens. Clandonian forces are moving to reinforce areas around sovereign bases. We will bring you more as we receive further updates...

Cars screeched to a halt as the emergency inner cabinet gathered in Downing Street, many either woken from bed or interrupted from social evening activities. A state of panic was in the air, the Minister for the Kahanistani Desk at the FCO was in a state after receiving hundreds of frantic calls. The Prime Minister had just arrived by helicopter landing on the back lawn of Downing Street after catching a Sabre to RAF Warminster from Chequers only forty minutes ago.

"Situation update Prime Minister, Bomber Command confirm they have their planes in the air, out Defcon level has been increased following the JCOS meeting ten minutes ago."

"Thank you, Penny." Replied the PM brushing through the patio doors down the hallway to the Cabinet room.

"OK good evening or is it morning now, nevermind, I want to make it clear now that as of yesterday Clandonian sovereignty has been questioned. In twenty four hours we will be likely in a state of war over Kahanistan, I've just spoken to my Praetonian counterpart and His Majesty the King and discussed a plan."

The Chief Wip, Rupert Stilpher stood up handing out a dossier.

"These emergency plans of administration were sent from Kingston, hot off the press. I've given orders to the army for all weekend leave to be cancelled as I know it is the holiday weekend."

"Thank you Rupert, if anyone has any questions I will be aboard my aircraft heading to the North."

The committee departed, noting out of the sky the afterburners of the Sabres on their way into low orbit along with B-22 'Zeus' aircraft on high alert. All weekend leave had been cancelled as orders for partial mobilisation were sent out to barracks, prepared for a possible expeditionary force to Kahanistan.


---


RAF Leominster, Kahanistan

The main base for Clandonian Forces Kahanistan had become under panic, families coming in from outside the perimeter of forces partners had been flooding the roads along with Clandonian nationals who were hearing mixed stories of invasion. Outside Clandonian Royal Army and Royal Marines forces had begun going into the countryside with their retrospective units, deploying with tanks and APC's. At the airbase the small numbers of fighters had begun patrolling a 20 mile perimeter around the bases. The fleet which had been in position and building the naval base was out at sea, soon joined by a submarine squadron.

Frantic calls to Praetonian forces on a strategy to knock out further reinforcements to Axis Novan forces and possibly behead the Kahanistan government leadership to prevent further outbreaks of insanity. The Clandonian Tri-Force command structure had retreated to the command bunker, maintaining constant contact with Warminster with the promise of further reinforcements and a bomber squadron well on its way. War was estimated within the next twenty four hours, the base commander was starting to panic as he saw his men's families cowering in the base hangers, worried about their menfolk who were now out securing the surrounding countryside at full battle alert. Taking note he slipped into his private office, opening the safe retrieving the tactical nuclear weapon authorization tokens and passkeys.

Ishamael had been woken up for this. Traditionally, waking up a sovereign in the Imperial Palace was a necessary evil and a notoriously unpredictable thing, the results of which ranged from summary execution to a sizable reward for the waker. But Ishamael wasn't Lucifer; he kept his hand off his pistol, and as he quickly dressed, he sent the servant who had woken him away intact. As he took an express elevator down to the conference room, left the small elevator lobby and walked past the Immortals flanking the door, he felt a slight curiosity as to what, exactly, had warranted awaking the Sacred Emperor at three in the morning. But when he saw the Head of the Intelligence Division, the tall, thin and emotionless Lucius Kressh, setting up a digital slide projector, which was throwing a map of the New Masada area, he had a pretty good idea.

"Good morning, Lucius," he murmured as he passed on the way to his heavy oaken chair at the head of the table. Kressh bowed in response, and as he continued fiddling with the projector, numerous other members of the Inner Court entered and took their places around the conference table.

Before much longer, the entire Inner Court was present, and Kressh dimmed the lights and turned to his projector screen. "Gentlemen, I apologize for the hour. However, urgent developments are occurring even now in Kahanistan, and I believed it necessary to call this meeting immediately." He picked up an extendable metal pointer and indicated New Masada. "At various airfields around the capital, Axis Novan forces began arriving yesterday..." He paused to accommodate the growls of rage from around the table, and continued. "...began arriving yesterday, along with numerous supplies. Generators were perhaps the biggest cargo, but more mundane supplies were present as well. Word is that Novan corporations are investing in humanitarian relief.

"What is worrisome, gentlemen, is of course not so much the foreign investment as the foreign deployment of troops. It is overkill to send a mechanized division to oversee the unloading of relief supplies, and if security was even a problem, Kahanistani troops could have taken care of such a mundane job perfectly well. On the other hand, this is not nearly enough troops to control Kahanistan. It is my belief that the Novan forces intend to spring a coup, taking control of key government and military buildings, as well as possibly utilities like water and power, and seize control of the government.

"Understandably, the Praetonians are furious, or so Minister Vidann has informed me." Kressh nodded to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and went on: "I understand that forces from both countries are being put on alert, and from the reports I've heard, it seems like everyone assumes that there will be a war within twenty-four hours. Needless to say, we begin with a very strong bargaining position; we are neutral as of yet, and we have two Legions and an entire fleet stationed on the base. However, again, we have very little time before a shooting war breaks loose." He bowed to Ishamael and sat down.

The Sacred Emperor stroked his chin for a minute, and then turned to Imperator Malustar. "Imperator, I want you to mobilize the 72nd and 131st Legions immediately. I don't want them to move past Kregaian land, but I want them to be ready at a minute's notice. I want the Tenth Fleet out to sea ASAP. Nobody is to attack anyone until I personally give the order." Turning to Minister Vidann, he ordered, "Abram, I want you to send a message to the Praetonian and Clandonian governments, asking them to hold their fire. I'll personally dictate the letter to President Sklenova. Dismissed, gentlemen."

* * *

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE

To: His Majesty's Government, Kingston

As you are, of course, aware, the presence of Novan troops in Kahanistan poses a grave threat to all interests in the region. New Masada is highly unstable at the moment, and it is the belief of the Imperium that Novan troops intend to stage a coup. This is, of course, intolerable. We have ordered our troops to full alert, and will be fully prepared in a matter of hours; our fleet is currently heading out to sea. In such troubled times, I suppose the assurance is necessary: we do not harbor any hostile intentions towards Praetonian or Clandonian civilians, soldiers, or property.

We have requested that the Kahanistani government either send the Novans away or restrain them, and informed them that we will not begin hostilities unless this request is not accommodated within twenty-four hours or we are provoked. If further negotiations are necessary, we will extend the ultimatum. The Imperium would like to request that His Majesty's Government similarly allow time for this crisis to be resolved peacefully. However, if it cannot be resolved, the Imperium intends to crush the Novan infestation, with as little collateral damage as possible. We will be in touch.

Signed,
Abram Vidann, Minister of Foreign Affairs

* * *

OFFICIAL DIPLOMATIC COMMUNIQUE

To: President Nadia Sklenova

Madam President, we are writing to you personally today, because as we both know, Kahanistan is in grave danger. Quite possibly we differ in our opinion of where, exactly, that danger lies, but the fact remains that your nation teeters yet again on the brink of annihilation, and our Imperium does not intend to see Kahanistan torn by war yet again.

Understandably, the Praetonians and Clandonians are concerned that their extensive interests in Kahanistan are threatened by the Novan presence. The Imperium feels the same. Kregaians have invested billions in your nation, and we personally are concerned for your future. And while a single Novan division is hardly enough to conquer Kahanistan, it is more than enough to take the capital and hold you and your government hostage. Ask yourself: why is a mechanized division necessary to oversee the offloading of relief supplies? Either something very dangerous or important is being unloaded, or, far more likely, they have hostile intentions toward Kahanistan. If they trusted your government, they would have allowed you to provide security. We warn you, Madam President, the situation is very dangerous. You might ask, how can you trust Kregaians or Praetonians or Clandonians any better than Novans? The answer is: we have done business with you. Substantially. We have invested in your future. The Novans have not done so until now...and their investment seems to consist mainly of thousands of soldiers.

The Imperium will not attack unprovoked. We have given orders for our soldiers to prepare, and for our fleets to leave port. This is as a preparation if war does indeed break out, but we will not strike unless absolutely necessary. Therefore, the preparation of troops must not serve to elevate tempers and raise pressure; it is simply a defensive measure. We have requested that Kingston stand down for the time being, that they hold fire until this can be resolved.

In short, Madam President, our request of you is this. The Novan troops in New Masada greatly threaten the stability of Kahanistan, and unless they leave or satisfactory assurances are given that they cannot interfere with the Kahanistani government, or any Kregaian, Praetonian, or Clandonian interests, the Imperium will have no choice but to remove the threat they pose, and we rather suspect the Praetonians will feel the same. War is inevitable, Madam President, unless steps are taken to neutralize the threat posed by the Novan troops. You have twenty-four hours, a time limit that will be extended should further negotiation prove necessary.

We convey our compliments.

Signed,
The Most Imperial Highness, His Divine Majesty Sacred Emperor Ishamael

274th Saracens Unloading Area, Primary airport of Kahanistan's capital

The various combat aircraft taking off in the region, along with the frantic military activity on the part of the assorted powers present in the area do not go unnoticed. Unloading does continue, but one thing immediately becomes apparent to observers: the main guns of cannon-equipped vehicles and antiaircraft guns begin to all depress quite conspicuously towards the ground.

Oddly enough for a foreign power 'supposedly' invading Kahanistan, the infantry troopers that can be seen working away on unloading duties seem to be wearing no body armor, nor are they equipped with their rifles, or any other form of weapon beyond sidearms. Likewise, the Minuteman powered armor suits helping unload the various craft and move things around don't have any of their usual combat equipment either-- no shields, no shoulder attachements, no bazookas, no large hand-held autocannon. Some of the vehicles being unloaded even appear to be in a partially disassembled state, to facilitate fitting more aboard various vessels.

Those squads of soldiers and officers that have ventured into the city thus far begin their return to their designated drop zones by the most direct routes available.

If anyone is watching, it almost seems as though the 274th is going out of it's way to telegraph peaceful intentions to them...

Elsewhere

With a screech of tires, the Axis Novan motorcade pulls up to the meeting location, and the back door of the limousine slides open, a slight hiss of air sounding as the pneumatic seal disengages and the door flips upwards. Ambassador Lusitana steps out of the vehicle, ducking his head to avoid banging it on the sill, and pauses briefly, then taps on the driver's side window. "Pull around the side, I'll call you when I need pickup." As the figure inside nods, he steps away from the vehicle as the motorcade pulls away, irritably waving off the local security types that had been contracted by the embassy, and begins walking up the steps, adjusting his tie. Grasping the handle of the building's front door, he steps into the building, the slightly sharp, synthetic smell of a recently painted room assaulting his nostrils. Like most buildings in the new capital of Kahanistan, he assumes this one has been recently constructed. But that is a trivial matter, for the moment, and he heads off towards the designated conference room, arriving shortly. Grasping the faux-brass handle and depressing it, he pushes the door open and walks into the room, smiling politely at the others present there.

"Greetings, gentlemen. I am Ambassador John Lusitana, of Axis Nova. There seems to have been some miscommunications and misunderstandings, and hopefully we can resolve them in a cordial manner."

Assuming none of the military meat-heads around here flip out, this should be handled without too much trouble. Central has given me a suprising amount of latitude in how to handle this matter...

The President nodded to the Axis Novan man, pulling out a freshly printed missive from her laptop, the Kregaian communique about the Novan soldiers. She handed him a copy and printed another one off for herself, and for the Praetonian High Commissioner.

"The Kregaians share the Praetonian concern about your troops," she said to Lusitana. "They wish a 'satisfactory assurance that you cannot interfere with our government.' Of course, we do see you as our allies. I'll offer a proposal that I'm sure both nations will find agreeable."

"We have two hundred thousand troops mobilised in the capital, and one point two million soldiers total, one point five if we include recruits still in training. If Axis Novan unit sizes are the same as ours, one division is twenty-five thousand. We could temporarily attach the Axis Novan troops to our own units, integrate our command structures, and maintain numerical superiority over them. They will still be able to secure their aid shipments, and there's no longer the fear they'll try to take over."

Secretariat of State for Trade: Internal Memo
Full evaluation of the value of trade in and with Kahanistan (IRI N23) is required ASAP, to determine the value of continuing to maintain an active interest in that nation.
Assignment is Priority 2.

---------------
ooc: rather obviously, the internal memo isn't available for general distribution, but someone will leak it to the press in about three IC days.

[OOC: What? The High Commissioner did not send any message to you and did not refer to troops stationed in extraterritorial areas like embassies.]

[OOC: What? The High Commissioner did not send any message to you and did not refer to troops stationed in extraterritorial areas like embassies.]

ooc: Communications between your government and the Kahanistani were no longer considered privileged after the protectorate conference; if it's too soon for a reasonable intercept-and-decode (the message wasn't tagged as being encrypted), then I'll take it down and re-post later on, but what's made deMalara scream is this line;
"...that all armed troops, save for those of Kahanistan and the Kregeian missile defence bases, be expelled immediately from Kahanistan." He's assuming that this includes ones attached to Embassies.

Later transmissions and missives have yet to be decoded, so he doesn't know about the exemption for embassies (if there is one; I can't find it)

[OOC: It was written on paper, not transmitted:

"Note passed to the Kahanistani President by the Praetonian High Commissioner to Kahanistan"

Embassies are extraterritorial and thus not in Kahanistan, but I suppose you can interpret it like that if you want. I just dont understand how you got hold of the message.]

ooc: it was? My bad. Edited out.
-- and this should go under Praetonia's post about the note; dunno what happened the first attempt...

bump