NationStates Jolt Archive

Zukariaan Merchantman ZkCS Enormous Soubriquet
Imperial Romandeosian Waters

Captain Graf von Lahl-Wertunvassen had been in the Zukariaan Merchant Marine for two long decades, and had captained his own ship the last four years. He had sailed from ports in Zukariaa to countless foreign countries. Now, however, was the first time he had sailed his merchantman to Romandeos.

He knew the Imperial Federated States and the Empire did not have the best relations and it was therefore no shock to him when a Romandeosian Navy warship took notice of, and kept following, his vessel. His fellow merchant captains had told him of things like this, a habit the Romandeosians had of spying on civilian ships from potentially hostile lands, an irritating occurrence, but one which could be survived, if you kept a level head and didn’t let them get to you.

He was not, however, expecting this warship to hail him. If that wasn’t enough, what they had to say was equally shocking.

“I say again, this is Captain Vantassell of the HMS Charlottesville. Heave to and prepare immediately to be boarded. If you refuse to comply, you will be fired upon.”

He didn’t quite know how to react to that, so he ordered his radio shack to put out an SOS immediately to Zukariaa while he stalled for time with the Romandeosians. Maybe if he just offered to leave...

“HMS Charlottesville,” he began, speaking in heavily accented English. “We are a cargo hauler, operating from a neutral-”

BOOM!

He ducked instinctively as one of the Agrippa class destroyer’s 90mm secondary batteries lobbed a shell. It seemed to go above the wheelhouse and he heard an ominous detonation in that direction. He ran out on to the deck and looked back. The radio shack was gone, as he had feared. The three-inch shell had passed right through.

‘These people are serious!’ he realized.

“Next time I’ll use my main guns on the hull, Captain,” blared the loud-speakers from the Romandeosian. “Don’t push me. I won’t be warning you again.”

Looking out at the Imperial warship, Lahl-Wertunvassen could see the ship’s main battery, and it was obviously being brought online. The 90mm had ripped apart his radio shack, but he knew a direct hit from the six 305mm guns on that ship would do worse still.

Graf von Lahl-Wertunvassen had been in this business a long time, and he was a practical man. He knew an impossible situation when he saw one, and despite being very angry, he ordered full stop and ordered his first mate to run up a white flag. Ten minutes later, Romandeosian sailors and marines had boarded the Enormous Soubriquet.

Inside the hour, the story was on television that a Zukariaan-flagged ship had been seized. Romandeosian government spokesmen told reporters the ship’s crew was under suspicion in the Imperial Federated States as potentially being smugglers.

As the marines boarded the ship, they were bombarded with insults and threats. These crewmembers were absolutely pissed. Men they had known for years had just been killed, without even knowing what was happening, by the shell that had hit the radio room. These Romandeosians had waltzed right up to their ship, their workplace for months while away from their families, and expected no problems? What had these men done, anyways?

As the Romandeosians went about their business, a glass bottle flew past one's face, barely missing. One of the merchants screamed an insult.

"Who did this?" the Romandeosian demanded of them,"Answer me!"

No one answered. The Romandeosian walked up to one of them who was suspiciously holding back a smirk,"Was it you?"

The Zukariaan broke into a laugh,"No sir, I swear!"

The Romandeosian became angry and grabbed the Zukariaan by his collar,"You think that's funny?"

The Zukariaan's smile shrank away, replaced by anger,"Get your ruddy hands off me!"

The Zukariaan shoved the marine away, with several others gathering around. Now several marines came, and the whole group began to shove one another. Before anyone knew it, the Zukariaans were forced to their knees and the Romandeosians drew their pistols and fired. Five Zukariaans fell.

The Aiur Times
Merchantship Seized!
Romandeosian Government charges seized ship and crew with 'smuggling'
Issue of April 2nd, 20XX
__________________________
It had been sometime since the major political problems between Romandeos and Zukariaa, which arose over a decade ago when a rebel group launched a nuclear strike on their nation, have made frontpage news. We could have only hoped we had heard the last of our Emperor duking it out with the Romandeosian regent over reperations. General concensus among the people has always been,'well, that sucks, but we don't want taxes imposed on us so the government can pay for some nation's damages'. I'm sure most will agree; this editor does.

However, earlier this morning it was reported that the ZkCS Enormous Soubriquet was seized by Romandeosian military forces after being bombarded and threatened for no apparant reason. The bombardment claimed three lived, and the crew was none too happy about this, and they made that clear. Several of them threatened Romandeosian marines, even throwing bottles at them or shoving them. The Romandeosians apparantly thought this was a good reason to force these men on their knees and execute them like dogs.

Now, I don't know about you, humble reader, but I cannot make sense of this. The appropriate thing to do would probably be, besides not seizing the ship in the first damned place, to lock them up in the brig. But what do these Romandeosians do? They shoot them! They kill innocent Zukariaan civilians who have done nothing wrong! And now they plan to hold a trial on them? As if they have any right! Excuse me, reader, for I am getting quite upset about this situation, and I hope you are too. This is absolutely rediculous and I can only hope the Emperor will do something about it.

No one pushes a Zukariaan without expecting to be shoved.

By Blargenflagen von Hargendargen, Tabloid Journalist




Message from the Emperor
TO: The International Community
FROM: His Majesty By the Grace of the Gods Emperor Conrad II
RE: A travesty has been done to my people!

It has come to my attention that today, April the second 20XX, that a nation called 'Romandeos', which my nation has admittedly had rather, shall we say, unpleasant relations, has seized a Zukariaan merchant ship and murdered several men who had done absolutely no wrong to them. I condemn, and I hope the international community condemns, this outrightly belligerant attack on my people. I also warn the Romandeosian government that only a bad outcome may come of this situation if a single Zukariaan is harmed even in the slightest before being immedietly returned to Zukariaa.

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SIGNED,
By the Grace of the Gods His Imperial Majesty Emperor Conrad II
Emperor of Zukariaa
Emperor of Shansekia
Emperor of Arterusia
King of Aiur
Duke of Taradoxica
Baron of Kahserbirg
Head of the House of Hüron
Head Monk of the Zukariaan Temple
42nd Sovereign Ruler of Zukariaa
Licenced Barber
---
Personal Message from the Emperor
TO: Taunja Lockeheart
FROM: His Majesty By the Grace of the Gods Emperor Conrad II
RE: When will you stop?!

I've had more than enough of yours and your nations antics by now. You are constantly annoying me to no end with your incessant requests for reperations and recognition of the damage done to your nation on a Zukariaan's behalf. I've had quite enough of it. This is going to be the straw that breaks the camel's back, Lockeheart, if you don't let my damned citisens come home right now! I will not play politics with you, I will not argue rhetoric, I will not dance around the issue as has been done for years now. Either you let those men and their ship go now or we will have a real problem.

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SIGNED,
By the Grace of the Gods His Imperial Majesty Emperor Conrad II
Emperor of Zukariaa
Emperor of Shansekia
Emperor of Arterusia
King of Aiur
Duke of Taradoxica
Baron of Kahserbirg
Head of the House of Hüron
Head Monk of the Zukariaan Temple
42nd Sovereign Ruler of Zukariaa
Licenced Barber

Office of His Majesty

His Majesty King Sverre IV condemns this act of modern-day piracy on the part of the nation of Romandeos. It is a dark day in the history of the world when ships cannot travel the seas freely as they have done for centuries. I give this warning now, to Romandeos and all nations: if any Hryvinian vessel be it military or civilian is molested, or it's crew harmed, the culprits shall pay with their lives.

SIC:
To: HIM Conrad II
From: HM Sverre IV, King of Hryvinia
Subject: Support

I wish to let you know that you have my full support in this measure. Should this matter need to be resolved by military force, I stand ready to commit my nation's finest. In any case, your actions shall have the full support of the Hryvinian people.

Yours,
Sverre IV
By the Grace of God King of Hryvinia
Duke of Vinland
Emperor of the Hryvinian Congo
Head of the House of Erikksen

Tag. Alliances with Zukariaa shall not be forgotten!

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Official Statement of the Federal Republican Duchydom of Franberry to The Empire of Zukariaa

The Federal Republican Duchydom of Franberry extends its condolences to the crew and families of the crew members aboard the ZkCS Enormous Soubriquet, as we also do to the nation that was offended by this horrible episode of modern-day piracy.

Your Majesty, Emperor Conrad II, know that if you seek for aid from Franberry, that call shall be answered promptly. We wish you the best in your rightful hunt against these modern scourges of the seas, and that these Romandeosians are dealt with swiftfully.


¡Orden y Progreso!

Dios guarde a Vuestra Honorabilidad,

His Most Democratic Excellence,
President of the Federal Republican Duchydom of Franberry,
Geoli Joolitan

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Sovereign Kingdom of Bruxella
Official Diplomatic Communiqué to the Imperial Federated States of Romandeos

The Sovereign Kingdom,

Having become aware of the recent actions of agents of Romandeos in the unwarranted seizure of the Zukariaan merchant vessel ZkCS Enormous Soubriquet and of the deaths of a number of Zukariaan citizens during this seizure, condemns this act of modern-day state-sanctioned piracy entirely and demand the immediate release of both ship and crew unharmed. Furthermore we warn the Imperial Federated States of the potential consequences of engaging in future such acts of piracy.

The world is watching.

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The Right Honourable Edward Marsh, MP
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

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OFFICIAL DECREE
IMPERIVM DOOMANVM

This blatant act of priracy upon sovereign Zukariaan shipping by the pissant "state" of Romandeos shall not go unpunished. As Conrad II is a close relative of Caesar's, our glorious Imperator has taken this act as an insult to both himself and to his family. The Romandean government has precisely twenty-four hours to pay a large sum of tribute (to be determined by our Zukariaan allies) and to release the vessel and crew in question. Failure to comply will result in the Romandean government being declared illegal by Caesar and the initiation of military action to rectify this problem on behalf of the Alliance for the Preservation of Civilization. I strongly urge the Romandean government to comply with these most reasonable demands.

-Magister Nuntiorum G. Quintus Livius

OOC:

Doomingsland: This is a closed RP in case you legitimately missed that, which means no interventions.

It occurs to me, however, that the message you have sent could actually be beneficial to this RP's plot. If you have MSN or YIM, my addresses on on my profile. I would appreciate a chance to explain things. Especially why it is supremely unlikely that any tribute will be dished out.

By the way, it's Romandeosian.

Expect an IC post soon, everybody, and thanks for the interest.

OOC:

Well, I don't mind communications, just so long as nobody tries some direct intervention.

IC:

ZkCS Enormous Soubriquet

Following the shooting incident aboard the Enormous Soubriquet, the Naval Infantry subaltern commanding the boarding party, Lieutenant Brenda Friot, was very incensed. She was young, and something of an idealist, and her ideals included a notion that it was wrong to shoot prisoners.

"Sergeant," she said, addressing her highest-ranking subordinate. "I want the men of this unit to keep safeties on at all times aboard this ship, unless there is a definite need for shooting. Is that understood?"

"Ma'am, the men-"

"I don't care what happened!" Friot barked. "These sailors have been charged by an Imperial Law Court with smuggling and we need to keep them breathing here so that if they're innocent, they can be tried and released. If we kill and maim them all, that won't do us much good."

For a moment, the sergeant didn't say anything, but then he straightened his back and nodded.

"Understood, Ma'am. Safeties on at all times."

"Damn right."

******************************

HMS Charlottesville

Captain Donna Vantassell, IRN had been sitting back on the bridge and enjoying some coffee like she usually did following a well-executed op when a highly encrypted communication arrived from Command.

It was a simple message.

For: Captain D. Vantassell, IRN
From: Admiral Kirilin, CO, Home Fleet
RE: Reprimand

Captain,

It has come to my attention that methods which you utilized in apprehending individuals charged with piracy have resulted in several of the said individuals being killed. This is unacceptable.

You shall regard yourself as reprimanded. That is all.

Signed,
Admiral Aleskander Kirilin

Despite the 'stern reprimand' the note carried, Vantassell could not help but laugh.

******************************

Imperial Diplomatic Communication

For all concerned,

Romandeos will not be intimidated, regardless how many nations make threats. This is no act of piracy.

In plain language, the captain of the Zukariaan merchantman in question was implicated in a smuggling operation taking place in Imperial territory.

It is regrettable that the actions of some...over-zealous servicemen resulted in so many deaths, but then what were those men dong throwing bottles and insults at armed people? They were angry, as they had every right to be, but let's face it, had they been more cooperative, things might have turned out a little differently for all involved. As it is, my deepest regrets go to the families of the slain.

In addition, you may all rest assured, the captain who commanded the vessel involved in the capture operation has been thoroughly reprimanded.

Every man arrested who is still living is being housed in good conditions and it is the intention of this government to conduct a swift investigation. Should it be found the arrests were unjust, all shall be returned at once. If not, then a legal hearing shall take place.

Finally, it is not the intention of the Imperial Federated States to pay tributes in order to mend this situation. That is a way of the Dark Ages. We will return in good condition the merchant hauler, and any man found innocent, and shall make such additional reparations as Zukariaa and Romandeos shall mutually agree upon.

~ Imperial Diplomatic Representative John Garrett

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Official Statement

The Realm of Cotland, being a sound and close ally with Zukariaa, hereby condemns this brutal act of barbaric and wholly un-Christian piracy by the Rouge 'State' of Romandeos against a vessel belonging to His Zukariaan Majesty Emperor Conrad II, namely the ZkCS Enormous Soubriquet, and the abduction and coldblooded murder of His Subjects. This act of barbarism cannot be allowed to continue unpunished.

His Majesty the King has decreed that any Romandeosian shipping or aviation in Cottish territorial waters and any Romandeosian citizens in Cotland shall henceforth be detained and held until such a time as Romandeos abides by the terms decreed by Zukariaa and the Realm.

Our demands are simple: We join in the demand placed by our Doomani and Zukariaan allies and demand that the Zukariaan Subjects and the ZkCS Enormous Soubriquet be returned to Zukariaa within the twenty-four hours alloted by the Imperivm Doomanvm. Additionally, we demand that those responsible for the deaths of the Zukariaan Subjects and the "masterminds" behind this act of barbaric piracy be extradited immediately to Zukariaa to stand trial for their henious acts of barbarism. Failure to comply with these most restrained demands within the allotted twenty-four hours will lead to punitive military actions being taken against Romandeos by the Royal Cottish Military.

The clock is ticking. We suggest you abide by our demands lest you wish to see your nation as little more than a smoking heap of rubble when we are done with our punitive actions.


[signed]

The Realm of Cotland

OOC:

No offense, folks, but there is a tag on this, and it states quite clearly that it is a closed RP. If you want to participate, kindly check with me in advance, and Zukariaa too. If you haven't done that and recieved an okay kindly limit yourselves to diplomatic messages and such.

Cotland, go ahead and detain my citizens on Cottish soil. I won't complain, at least, not OOCly. As for the military intervention, no offense, but I want to keep this limited. Nothing personal.

In addition, if you want to join this RP and you can't accept losing an RP then it is advisable to think twice about asking to join this. I RP for the fun.

I will confess to being mad that the "CLOSED" tag was violated. That sets a precedent, but this once it is my intention to remain calm. If somebody is allowed to participate and begins getting pushy, or being quite a bad sportsman, I will ignore this RP, and that is likely to be that. That goes for everybody, and will happen on the first offense. I will not be pushed about, not by anybody.

[OOC: Already cleared with Zuk on IRC. My interaction in this RP would be realistic, as I'm allied with Zuk via APOC. As is Doomingsland. You don't just go about attacking someone's shipping and hide behind [CLOSED]. That's just bad form. There's been nothing but a communiqué from me...yet. Please, cool down a few notches.]

[OOC: Already cleared with Zuk on IRC. My interaction in this RP would be realistic, as I'm allied with Zuk via APOC. As is Doomingsland. You don't just go about attacking someone's shipping and hide behind [CLOSED]. That's just bad form. There's been nothing but a communiqué from me...yet. Please, cool down a few notches.]

OOC:

I would have liked to have been checked with as well, as I am involved in this RP, too.

I am trying to be cool, but Zukariaa and I will be speaking. Hopefully, we can make this work.

Basically, this RP was planned in advance, so it would have been good to have been checked with before he invited somebody else.