NationStates Jolt Archive

In the days following the admission of Central Prestonia to the regional alliance of Gholgoth, Automagfreek prepared to send its customary military stimulous package in order to get the Prestonian military up to grade. One of the oaths taken by their government was to be ready, willing, and most importantly, able to defend itself and its neighbors against any hostile attack. Sensing that their military simply was not equipped or trained well enough, Supreme Warlord Azrael the Advocate decided that this issue must be remedied.

Within days a large convoy was assembled, ranging from gigantic transport and cargo ships, to armed escorts as was mandatory for any seaborne operation. Large cargo planes also took off from Freekish airbases across the country, bound for Prestonia with the latest Freekish and Gothic technology. They would be offloaded at sites designated by the Prestonian government for their express use, though it was also likely that neighboring Gothic nations would also be extending a hand of friendship to their new neighbor.

The massive opertion was put in the hands of Azrael's number two man, Alerick Fleshgrinder. The Deathklaat as he was known had a fearsome reputation for achieving his goals at whatever cost, and some raised an eyebrow at the notion that he would be leading what was essentially a Gholgoth house warming party. The new Prestonian republic would need stong support initially if it was to succeed, and Alerick would not only offer his personal advice to the new leader, but the contingent of Sentinels be brought with him, tens of thousands in all, would help temporarily bolster the Prestonian military as well as educate its officers and grunts as to the finer points of warfare.

Azrael also notified the Lords of Gholgoth as to the nature of these shipments as well as AMF's role in helping the new Prestonian government flourish. He also encouraged other Gothic nations to assist Central Prestonia both economically and militarily, and to keep a close eyes on affairs concerning Questers and the existance of foreign bases on what was now Gholgothic soil.....

From the Desk...

Unto the rulers of Central Prestonia, we do extend our congratulations at your induction into the regional alliance of Gholgoth. We salute you and welcome you, and we hope that you would be no more hesitant in asking for aid from us than you would be from those of Gholgoth.

Fast Women, Faster Horses & the Fastest Cars...

Samuel Ravensclaw Houston;
Tai'shenn Kahane;
Lady Victoria Dominique McMasters

The Ruling Triad (http://www.atddm.com/trio.jpg)
Speakers for Nuevo Nihongo,
proud members of Gholgoth Minor

General Christoff Matthews was placed in charge of the military and economic effort in Central Prestonia - he had thirty-five thousand good fighting men under his command, and nearly unlimited scope in economic authority from the Whyatican Empire. Matthews was a brilliant man economically as well as militarily, and he was placed in charge of this by the Emperor himself for that very region. His first move was, naturally, to ship his entire force to Central Prestonia over two months; and he had a plan for a one billion credit economic stimulus package for the Prestonians, as well as a similar one billion credit military stimulus package.

The finest Whyatican training programs would be brought to the Prestonian military - that, combined with Freekish and other Gothic military prowess could build Prestonia into a regional power along with the rest of it's neighbors.

Of course, the existence of Questarian bases was worrisome for Christoff - he had already planned for a possible move against the Questarian bases, as well as a similar plan for defense against Questarian and APOC attacks on Gothic bases in Central Prestonia. Matthews and his top staff were absolutely sure that if there was a flash point to war with APOC, it would be within Prestonia. And he would be ready for war when it happened.

The Novan expedition to Central Prestonia was of an all together different aspect, directed to bring the Technologies and capabilities of this nation into line with the rest of Gholgoth, to that end, twenty thousand Mechncians headed up under the general command of Srihacul Vokonya, and an immeasurable amount of materiel was being shipped in via the Novan Military under what could be termed an oppressive military escort, which had rapidly began the countryside against potential insurgents while Tokontu with survey modules took to the skies for preliminary prospecting, while the Prestonians were trusted to have knowledge of their own nation, however what their former headaches running rampant, such survey’s were guaranteed to be suspect not withstanding that certain elements and minerals and such that would appear to be but worthless rocks to the unknowing, the survey results would be relayed swiftly back to the HQ in the Prestonian capitol.

“Mechnician, Survey results from Sector 7 have come up with Positive Results, We’ve found rich deposits of Niobium 5,” Came the clarion call from a bank of consoles, only partially operational as work was carried out to bring the facility operational, everyone within slowed slightly as the call was heard, they all knew what this meant, Niobium 5 was widely viewed to be a myth, due to it’s apparent “non-existence” yet it was plentiful in certain strata, but in it’s raw unrefined form it was largely indistinguishable from simple stone, or worthless metals, it was in it’s Distillation and Refinement that it became the world’s finest Superconductor, which could be found in the circuitry of every Novan design, from a lowly pocket watch to Tokontu, Vrazen and Kashizrion, with a steady supply of Niobium 5 the Prestonian Economy could be enhanced to proper levels, “Excellent Toreth, take Team 17 and equipment and establish a mining facility there, I’ll have an escort accompany you, keep up the good work people,” came the supervisor Mechnician’s call as he gave his thumbprint to another Mechnician authorising a radical overhaul of the Prestonian Power Grid, while Tesla Technology would not be implemented, other Perpetual, or Renewables which the Novans had to a fine art could be implemented, and they would indeed be needed as the Novans had set themselves with incredible vigour into rebuilding the shattered industries of Prestonia, which had been withered and weakened by the ever destructive Praetonian Economics’ and in general detrimental external interference, a better future for the Prestonian people was guaranteed now they were freed from Imperialistic Tyranny.

Ft. Adams Army Base
Outside Lehigh Acres
1200 Hours

"Well, they sure do know how to make an entry." David G. Oliver stood at firm attention, seemingly unresponsive to his aide's comment. It was rare for Oliver, the second in command of the Prestonian Republic Armed Forces, to be at any one base for a given amount of time. This, however, was a different occasion. Having Sentinels in one's nation was not a daily occurrence by any means, and the High Command was adamant that Oliver be present to receive the nation's guests.

As the national anthem played and the flag was run up the pole, the Prestonian brigade behind Oliver joined his salute. Across the drill field from him, the brigade of Sentinels followed suit, in seemingly perfect timing. As the anthem reached it's final notes, the salutes were dropped. After dismissing his aides to assume command of the brigade behind him, Oliver strode over to the Freekish general across from him and began to speak.

"General Fleshgrinder, it's an honor to meet you. I must first thank you for your commitment to helping the Prestonian Republic Armed Forces regain the professionalism and power we had before the imperialists destroyed the country. I look forward to the training your Sentinels will be giving my Army."

St. Andrews, Central Prestonia

The first elements of the Aequatian Expeditionary Force, Prestonia (AEF-P) were of its headquarters as the officers in command of the different services and their staff personnel would establish the command infrastructure for the units that were to trickle in via air and sealift. Army General Victor Kyle, appointed as commander-in-chief of the AEF-P, stepped off one of the light executive jetliners arriving from Aequatio and met with his Prestonian counterparts before moving onto their billeted headquarters to start the work of preparing for the deployment. Leased office spaces throughout the city were used by the Aequatians as liaison and light vehicles in camouflage paint schemes mingled with the city's normal traffic, ferrying equipment and personnel to the offices as they set up the offices.

At the airports of St. Andrews, commandeered by the military for its own purposes for the time being, the runways were crowded with the gray-schemed Aequatian Republic Air Force C-181A Starlifter II and C-225B Cossack strategic transport aircraft as the uniformed logisticians worked at unloading the cargo from their compartments. The closest formations of combat units were the operators of Blackthorne Incorporated, a private military company hired to provide bodyguard and security duties for the units already on the ground. Consisting of mainly former Aequatian Army Special Forces soldiers and Marines, the operators were armed with a number of privately-purchased weapons such as G142 rifles, although G122 carbines were also a favourite, along with G122k and MP139 personal defence weapons and wore a uniform outfit of khaki or olive green trousers, brown undershirts and black armour vests and patrol caps with the company's logo printed on them, along with the Aequatian tricolour patch sewn into the shoulders of the t-shirts or the front of the vests.

Jeff Fitzpatrick, a former Army staff sergeant, sat in the rear compartment of an M89 Cerberus armoured car as it moved through the streets of St. Andrews in front of a convoy of trucks bringing computers and other office equipment to one of the Air Force command headquarters centers. The Prestonians, although new to the Gholgothic bloc, appeared to be rather apathetic to the arrival and presence of the Aequatians, the private operator stood in the rear compartment and was able to see the Prestonians on the sidewalks, continuing on with their lives as usual as armoured vehicles drove past. The coming weeks would see even more arrivals and the nation converted thanks to the regional posturing of the higher powers, Fitzpatrick frowned as he set his G122k against the inside wall of the vehicle, "Bloody leaders, just have to wave their cocks about," He thought as the convoy came to a stop at its location.

After meeting briefly with Prestonian officials to discuss Freekish intentions, Alerick immediately went to work mobilizing his men for their assigned duties. Perhaps the most important task was the most secretive, positioning Freekish assets to strike either base in the event the need arose. Freekish warships began to circle Prestonia towards each outpost with the specific task of turning back any foreign ship or aircraft from entering, in order to avoid a buildup of weapons and an increase in foreign troops on Gholgoth protected soil. However they would begin sailing further out to sea to accomplish this, and additional Freekish vessels were summoned from AMF proper to bolster Prestonian and Gothic naval presence. Fleshgrinder was also alerted that Aleosan submarines were also moving into the area to assist in challenging any foreign ship. However these naval exercises would be outside Prestonian waters but still well within Gholgoth's maritime boundaries.

The message would be clear; foreigners in Gholgoth would not be tolerated. No bases, no outposts, no contingents, nothing. This rule applied to both friend and foe alike, as non-Gothic NATO nations historically have been denied any place within the region save for embassies on the national level.

Alerick also began to station ground assets in preparation for military strikes. He did so under the guise of beefing up national security for both maintaining the peace as well as training Prestonian troops. Freekish transport helicopters and cargo trucks began to drop non-line of sight launch system pods, containing both precision and loitering attack missiles inbetween buildings, next to dumpsters, inside junkyards, and in dense foliage to disguise what they were. The larger MLRS and mobile artillery units stayed well enough away from each base in order to avoid directly provoking either at this point in time.

The rumor was also persisting that nuclear weapons were inside the Questarian holdings, and though no evidence existed to prove that weapons of mass destruction were shipped to Prestonia, NEST teams were sent from Automagfreek incase they were needed to handle any dangerous munitions. Element sof Azrael's ultra elite 406th Legion of the fearsome face known as the Fallen were also present, being represented by their covert RAID units, but the bulk of Fleshgrinder's forces consisted of battle hardened Sentinels.

While the carefully concealed movements were taking place, Alerick paced about the quarters of his command center, the gentle hum of Vassago attack helicopters penetrating the walls ever so slightly. He would not make any moves yet nor would give the impression of a buildup for a military strike, but instead would observe the movements of his enemies and hope that the naval exercises would show that Automagfreek was serious about protecting Gholgoth from outsiders.

Whyatican Naval Forces - Seaside

Prestonian officials must be getting tired of this - A lot of the military administration was being de facto commanded by the Gothic nations supplanting it's military. After a cursory check with Prestonian military officials, (read: "Commander, we want to--" "Whatever you deem necessary.") Vice Admiral John Stevens began preparing his flotilla for creating an exclusionary zone. His flotilla of sixty ships, soon to be complemented by an additional five hundred ships coming from the Whyatican Navy, would link up with the Freekish flotilla and establish a Gothic exclusionary zone outside of Prestonian waters. Curiously enough, and this was obviously a coincidence, but the exclusionary zone entirely encircled Prestonia. There would be no non-Gothic ships permitted through or into the exclusionary zone - no exceptions.

The first sixty ships would position themselves, curiously, among the angle of approach an oncoming freighter or air cargo jet would approach to land in the Praetonian owned bases - merely a coincidence! The stated goals of this operation was to "prevent piracy in and around the waters of Central Prestonia", but it was in reality quite the blockade - no Questarian, Praetonian, or any of their surrogates would be allowed to ship into Central Prestonia.

Whyatican ground troops continued to push south as well, establishing fortified outposts and attacking rebel-owned territory in the south. The plan, established by the Gothic generals, was to simply strangle the foreigners out of Gholgoth - without friendly warlords to supply them, and without a constant stream of supplies coming from their patron nations, the bases would surely be forced to either surrender themselves or attack in an act of desperation. Either way ended up fine for the Gothic nations - they would not fire the first shot.

General Matthews and his staff began relocating themselves closer to the bases of Alerick Fleshgrinder, his counterpart in the Freekish Army, and General Kyle of Aequatio for easier communications. He wanted no misunderstandings in the first joint operation between Whyatican and Gothic forces, and as the first ships positioned themselves to the exclusionary zone, he drafted an international release:

Whyatican Forces-Prestonia

The Whyatican Naval Forces, acting in concurrence with the Freekish Navy, has established an exclusionary zone of one hundred-fifty nautical miles outside of the claimed waters of Central Prestonia as an anti-piracy measure. No non-Gothic ships shall be permitted through the exclusionary zone. Any ships that attempt to run through the zone shall be destroyed at the discretion of the Gothic fleets in charge of the blockade.

General Christoff Matthews, Whyatican Ground Forces
Vice Admiral John Stevens, Whyatican Naval Forces

CPS Hudson
Hermes Class CVN
Prestonian Waters, 50 nautical miles from Seaside

The massive carrier sliced cleanly through the water, escorted by her contingents in Carrier Battle Group 5, 2nd Home Waters Fleet. The Home Waters Command was one of the few things leftover from the brief junta of Steven Preston, having been established to allow the bulk of the Navy to pursue extraregional affairs while HWC took care of things in Prestonia's backyard.

Now, thanks to the new budget's approval, the forces of CBG-5 were being put to the test. Their mission was to assist in the joint exercise of the so-called Combined Gothic Fleet, keeping Prestonian territorial waters safe from unwanted vessels. This 20-ship group, together with the bulk of the Whyatican Imperial Navy, would form the vanguard of Prestonia until such time as the intruders were forced out.

Admiral Eric Morris, commander of CBG-5, stood on the bridge of the Hudson, idly watching an F/A-15 take off on a CAP as he typed out the communique to friendly forces.

Prestonian CBG-5, 2nd Home Waters Fleet
Concerning Capabilities of Prestonian Republic Navy
Encryption Level 10

Be advised PRN is fully combat capable stop.
Currently preparing for total mobilization of 2nd Home Waters Fleet for anti-piracy operations stop.
Patrols report no enemy action stop.
Will keep our eyes peeled full stop.

The past week had brought new faces and uniforms to the Aequatian offices in St. Andrews as Fitzpatrick escorted a senior naval officer inside the AEF headquarters from his staff car outside. The relative peace of the city had afforded the contractors of Blackthorne the opportunity to change their "combats" for a more conservative uniform of suits with hidden body armour and packing machine pistols and short carbines, hidden beneath his jacket Jeff had a holstered AMI MP139 9mm submachine gun as he walked through the hallways and handed off responsibility of the officer to the waiting guard in full battle gear with his "Artemis" temperate woodland Battle Dress Uniform, "Cuirass" armoured vest and patrol cap, his covered helmet hanging from his webbing belt. The lance corporal opened the door with his free hand, his right still holding the pistol grip of his G121 rifle as the officer and his entourage inside the meeting room. The officer was Admiral Alexander Kahn, the AEF's Commander of Naval Operations, and he was speaking with General Kyle concerning the actions to be undertaken by the Aequatian Navy in its cooperation with the rest of the Gholgothic effort to maintain the "Exclusion Zone" around Central Prestonia.

"Alex, it's nice to see you again," Kyle said as he sat down, "Can my aides get you anything,coffee, tea, water?"

"Nothing for now, thanks," Replied the admiral as he took his own seat, "General, most of the naval forces have arrived from the Republic and are still getting into position to maintain the perimeter around our area of responsibility."

"That's good to hear, what all do we have in the theatre?" Asked the commanding officer as he accepted a bottle of water, "I trust we are fully prepared?"

"For the most part, yes, submarines and carrier battle groups are patrolling the zones and have been cleared to legally search any ships flying our flag in addition to their normal duties," Kahn said as he looked over his Razzberry handheld device, "We have also assigned liaison officers with the capital ships leading our allied forces around the exclusion zone, so that they may also do the same for ships flying the Aequatian flag."

"I've heard from the offices of the Whyatican General Matthews and have been in communication with the rest of the allied commands, the Prestonians included, and things are integrating well for the operations," Explained General Kyle, "Hopefully we'll be home in time for spring if things go well," He said with a smile.

The officers chatted idly for a short while after concluding the rest of their business and the admiral exited the room and was escorted back to his waiting car by the Blackthorne contractors. Fitzpatrick himself leading the group outside as he scanned the exterior through his dark sunglasses before leading the party to their waiting vehicles, embarking only once they were ready to leave.

----------

The eastern coastline of Prestonia had been outlined as the Aequatian area of responsibility, in addition to their normal allied cordon duties, the Aequatian naval forces were also free to engage those belonging to the warlords operating from the southern regions of the nation. Taking up their positions alongside their allied vessels from Whyatica, Automagfreek and other Gholgothic nations, the Aequatian attack submarines patrolled the waters of the exclusion zone while the massive carrier battlegroups maintained a wall of airborne early warning radars and long-range interceptor combat air patrols.

Aequatian Republic Air Force long-range detection aircraft, normally used for EL/SIGINT duties listened for communications while airborne early warning radars swept the ocean for surface vessels in cooperation with Navy-owned surveillance satellites. In support of the ships on the water were strategic bombers equipped for the maritime patrol duties with powerful anti-shipping missiles.

Aboard one of the patrolling aircraft carriers sat Lieutenant Deirdre McNamee, leader of a Naval Commando operational team, with the rest of her soldiers as they waited for the call to search any vessels deemed necessary. Traditionally a strictly reconnaissance force, the Naval Commandos were also used for maritime security operations which included boarding actions. The naval operators wore uniforms similar to those of the Marine Corps, the February weather forced them to don the normal "Spider" (http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z317/Aequatio/Camouflage/TW-Spider.png) Temperate Woodland battle dress uniform with leather combat boots and the black "Second Chance" armoured vest, for warmth they wore olive green "Commando" style sweaters along with the "Lightweight" windproof overtrousers and jackets with "headover" scarves, all in a solid OG107 shade along with black Nord Deerskin gloves. Headgear was either the "Commando Green" beret or pile-lined cold weather cap while weapons were the issue MG136 or MP140 submachine guns, G142 short carbines or M1210 Sapian Arms combat shotguns.

*Aequatian Expeditionary Forces, Prestonia
*
*
*At this time, ARAF and ARN elements from the AEF-P are now taking part
*in the anti-piracy operations within the 150 nautical mile exclusion zone
*outside of Prestonian claims.
*
*Non-authorized ships, Gholgothic or foreign, shall not be permitted
*through the exclusionary zone without proper search and identification.
*
*Those that do not comply with these procedures may be subject to
*seizure or destruction at the discretion of the Gholgothic Allied Forces.
*
*Signed,
*
*General Victor Kyle, ARLF; Officer in Command
*Admiral Alexander Kahn, ARN; Commander of Naval Operations
*
*END*

Arms.

Thousands of Arms.

Millions of Arms.

It is through Force of arms that we truly know peace, and it is through strength of arms that we may fight.

Every arm within this vast chamber swung danced moved and writhed, it’s intricate movements, all of them followed a distinct pattern, all of them followed some task, several tributaries to this stream of arms flowed in, many disparate parts fed to this creature of many arms, if one were to look down from the perch like view port of a suspended corridor, they would note that there were an immeasurable amount of these creatures, and on innumerable levels, extending back out past the intersecting corridor, as the disparate elements became one, as the conveyor belts moved in concert, the arms wove and welded, socketted and secured, inserted and initialized Soldered and sealed, and as the lines stretched off into the distance, so too did the arms, yet gradually fewer in number, as vertical shafts intersected the belts, causing the finished product to rise up with them, held in place by strong graspers, of slender aspect.

As they rose yet more arms traced over fine detailing onto the surfaces, and loaded in live ammunition into the awaiting module receptacles, the eyes of the creations flashed as they awoke for the first time, in the grasp of spindly arms as they rose, normally they would not have been loaded with live ammunition upon completion, however with these creations being in such high demand they were going from factory to fires of war, these were the Tokontu, and they were en route to a war torn nation known as Central Prestonia, to enforce an intense exclusion zone, which before while informal, was no official, before it has only been aerial assets turned back, as evinced by the denial of Clandonian Craft to the nation, now it would be a total exclusion, before the increasingly hostile foe could ship in Nuclear Armaments into their recently acquired bases.

They were departing in batches, as Parridigrams filled with search personnel formed up with each growing swarm, the commitment was heavy, but it was necessary to end this conflict, already forward elements of the seventh, nineteenth and fourth fleets had departed in advance, as indeed several thousand of the new creations, hot off the line, so far the Tokontu was a wild success, and industry at it’s present level of 13% of total capacity, was hard pressed to keep up, notwithstanding the massive increase of production from ten thousand a month, to what was a projected one and a half million a month.

The Situation in Prestonia was beginning to stabilise, the remnants of the Praetonian sponsored Monarchy was now but a collection of scattered warlords, still under the payroll of their masters, but not as cohesive as before, but perhaps more dangerous for it, the northern half of the country had after much fighting been secured, as these imported soldiers of war had been in most cases fought to the last man, knowing full well what fate awaited them, as the victors discovered their dastardly facilities, many Mechnicians had been aghast, vast gas chambers had been uncovered hidden beneath the cities, yet even worse were the bones of facilities that were only half completed, and only after much investigation were discovered to be Doomani pattern Distillation plants, for turning corpses, into oil, the sheer barbarity was beyond flabbergasting, and all but one city had been purged of these grizzly facilities, only Cape Leonard would be left untouched, the entire city cordoned off and left to forensics teams to deal with, All over the north of Prestonia vast portions of wrecked cities were torn down and the rubble cleared away as the industrious Novans set about the slightly challenging task of rebuilding the Prestonian Civilisation which had been for far too long pillaged by the Praetonians and their mercenaries.

Hudson had been completely gutted, over three quarters of the city had been torn down and was in varying stages of being rebuilt as new Telecomm lines were installed in addition to having completely rebuilt the infrastructure, which in most places extended to concrete roads so neglected they were more akin to gravel paths through a rockery, monorail lines were being set up throughout the city as the development on a national network had been decided to be key, transport links between the military bases were a high priority, so that their fellow Goths could bring law and order back to this war torn place, already normality in a sense had returned to Hudson, despite the extensive construction works.

To the north of the country new ports and docks were being dredged and supporting cities raised aside them, with extensive industrial capacity being developed so that should the warlords attempt to push once more further north, there would be time for the Prestonians to counter with at least something, such plans were also being finalised for when the south was liberated from the grasp of Praetonian Tyranny of which they had invested extensively in the tools of terror and murder.

OFFICIAL MILITARY COMMUNIQUE

To: Lord Rahvin, High Admiral Anor

Gentlemen, as you are abundantly aware, the war with the Doomani has slowed to a stalemate. Our continued presence off the coast of Doomanum does little more than present an empty threat: we do not have the ships to surround their entire coast, and thus any blockade can never be fully effective.

Furthermore, the situation in Gholgoth has become unacceptable. Foreign bases cannot be permitted on Gothic soil, and the blockade of the Questarian base is at present the most pressing issue facing the Gothic Lords. Therefore, your orders have changed.

All troop transports and corresponding support ships must return immediately to Korronis. They will be escorted by the 15th Fleet, as well as four flagships. The remainder of the fleet will proceed, stopping to refuel and re-arm in Tiraeum, to Gothic waters, there to assist the Freekish, Aequatian, Whyatican, and Prestonian armadas protecting Central Prestonia. Consult with the other Gothic commanders, and reinforce the Prestonian blockade. No Praetonian, Questarian, or other infidel ship can be allowed in.

Signed,
Imperator Anton Malustar
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u308/TataliaLW/AM.png

* * *

The orders were irritating. The orders were infuriating. But the orders were orders, and so, after some time floating inconclusively off the coast of Doomanum, the titanic Kregaian armada separated. Most of the support ships and all of the troop transports departed, escorted by the 15th Fleet, returning to Korronis. However, that left over 2,500 warships of the Imperial Navy on their way to Central Prestonia, by way of the Kregaian colony of Tiraeum, along with thousands upon thousands of aircraft. At the military base in Tiraeum, meanwhile, heavy transport planes were arriving, stuffed with supplies, vehicles, ordinance, and troops. Within days, not only had the vast fleet reached Prestonia, but the 301st Legion, consisting of almost 100,000 soldiers and support personnel, had arrived after hundreds of transport flights from Tiraeum to Prestonia. The Kregaians had arrived.