NationStates Jolt Archive

The history books tell conflicting stories. There is no true victor in any war when there is no true loser. The nations who have come to fight on the battle field cling to the notion of moral superiority over their most hated enemies. Each nation strives for utmost righteousness at the end of the day; each claims to have been the righteous even if wronged but there can be no true winner until a nation gracefully accepts defeat.

=================

Prime Minister's Office

The five-star General of the Commonwealth Military of Kryozerkia stood before the three-term leader, Prime Minister Shelley Kane, a woman known for her low tolerance of civil rights violators and criminals. She was the two sides of one coin. On one, she was the face of diplomacy and tact presented to the world; the champion of the people and a woman who believed in civil liberties for all. On the inverse she was a hardened infantry soldier. She had seen the fury of battle and held little tolerance for petty dictators and those deliberately oppressed others for their own gain.

General N. Trift approached her desk and placed a thin folder on it as she glanced up at him with a warm smile. He was her most trusted ranking officer. No other officer could post such status with the PMO. He had been personally requested by the Prime Minister when she had taken office three terms previously. She had served under him and had been one of his best infantry soldiers.

"Good afternoon General, what's today's business?"

"Emperor Yi Jin has allied himself with our enemies."

"Those damn capitalists?"

"No, not Talematros, though I know our army longs for those days, Kane. No, they have found themselves another strangebed fellow."

"Who could they dream of allying with? They were more isolationist than we were."

Trift refrained from commenting on that. He cleared his throat. "I'm sure you recall the authorisation to infiltrate Fozcria to escort out the refugees."

"Yes, yes I do. I hear that they've found homes across our nation."

"Which is fine and all, except now Emperor Jin has decided that after centuries of silence, his nation is taking a stand against us. They seem to think that we wronged them in that war."

"But that war, that was... my god, that war was when our democracy's founder rebel leader Zeke took control; before Farflorin ever broke away!"

"Yes. It seems that they are considering offering their help to Fozcria and its league of rogue, renegade nations."

Prime Minister Kane sighed, rubbing her temples. "Tell me this is a sick joke, Trift."

"I wish I could, Kane, I wish I could."

"Damnit! Damnit! Fine! Then declare war on them!"

Trift baulked. "You're not serious?"

"Jin is not a man of words. He prefers to deal with his problems by the tip of the missile. If he wants to risk everything then so be it."

"Kane, you know I respect you but I must disagree with this. Are you sure; we're trying to avoid war and you want to go headlong into it?"

"Don't our history books teach that Kutou-koku never accepted a peace treaty and that the only reason peace lasted was because of our force that ousted that tyrannical former Kryozerkian dictator, Chikita, who had assumed too much power? That Dowager Empress Michiko Jin took power back only to retake regions that had been taken as spoils of war? Their emperors and empresses never learn. We gave them a chance..."

"But they're not capitalists."

"I know that and I'd love to take out Talematros but that would be a problem."

"And this isn't?"

"Not at all. This is writing the conclusive chapter of history."

"Very well, we shall issue a declaration of war..."

=================

http://www.weaselhut.net/kryopmo.gif

The Ancient Republic of Kryozerkia hereby declares war on its ancient enemy of the Imperial Commonwealth of Kutou-koku.

We invite Emperor Yi Jin to either accept the terms of war or to engage in diplomatic channels to rightfully accept the defeat at our hands so many centuries ago. This would include the acceptance of a proper peace treaty done on our terms.

ooc - You're kidding me, right? I thought there was a treaty? Oh right... we didn't do most of that war on the forums because some people didn't want to use II. I guess we can afford to show you a thing or two. This time it's personal. I might even try and get Talematros to help me.

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

The Imperial Palace

Emperor Yi Jin, a descendant of a long line of royalty, sat in the war planning room. The walls were covered in maps. Satellite images; geo-poltical maps; hand drawn maps of ancient frontiers. His desk had a large map of the nation on it. His nation's northern most borders touched the southern most regions of his nation's greatest rival. No one lived in the northern region. After all, who wanted to be in that area? That's where all the convicts were sent.

He picked up the dagger from his desk and twiddled it between his fingers.

He had just received the message from an old enemy. War was never an easy thing especially when your enemy claimed that there was no peace treaty and why should there be? None of the nations that lived through the destruction and chaos of that war wanted to even look each other in the eye afterward. It had been mutually accepted that they would just retreat back into their borders.

His nation had been an unwilling participant. The throne had been swept out from under the rightful leader so many centuries ago when the murderous, fleeing tyrannical dictator that once led Kryozerkia fled into Kutou-koku under cover of the night. The Dowager Empress Michiko Jin had taken pity on the fleeing leader, according to the historians and allowed for that leader to seek asylum within the borders under the protection of the Imperial Guard. That had proven to be a fatal mistake when the fleeing leader usurped the throne from under the Empress, holding her hostage.

Emperor Jin sighed.

He didn't want to face Kryozerkia again on the battle field. Much blood had been shed in that time period and he was a man of peace. To send his youngest, brightest and finest out to die in a war that was simply a result of bad blood would be foolish. He would have been prepared to accept this as his fate but spotted the addition at the end of the message offering the use of diplomatic channels.

He stood up and summoned in the nearest messenger and informed them that they would accept the terms for a peace treaty negotiation and that he wished for Prime Minister Kane to be informed of this immediately.

The messenger complied and ran past a general who walked in, saluting the emperor.

Jin motioned for him to take a seat and without waiting in a commanding tone informed his general of the following, "We are not willing to go to war but we want to be prepared for that possible inevitability. We want you to have our finest at the ready if negotiations should break down."

The general nodded and accepted it. No one dared to question the emperor. His will was simply carried out. The emperor was viewed in a positive light. The emperor was a peaceful man and for that, his people loved him. He didn't dare sacrifice them for something as needless as war unless it was an absolute last resort.

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

TO THE KRYOZERKIAN PRIME MINISTER
FROM THE EMPEROR OF KUTOU-KOKU

We wish to avoid war at this time and welcome you to come to our capital for potential peace discussions. We will allow for you to bring a minimum escort with you so that you will feel secure within the borders of our nation. We anticipate fruitful discussions that will lead to the treaty that never was.

http://www.weaselhut.net/kryopmo.gif

The Ancient Republic of Kryozerkia has weighed her options and will consider using the capital of The Imperial Commonwealth of Kutou-koku to hold proper peace negotiations. The PM will arrive in a few days under an armed escort. We expect proper security measures to be taken.

Emperor Jin was more than pleased with the acceptance reply sent back to him from Prime Minister Kane. She had proven to be far more tolerable than initially thought. If she did indeed show up, he had to plan to ensure that nothing went awry. He couldn't allow for external forces to interfere with the execution of the plans for peace.

Walking through the long echo-y corridors of the imperial palace, the emperor strolled leisurely, glancing at portraits of past leaders. Each emperor ruled for many years. Yi Jin was no exception. He had seen several Kryozerkian leaders in his time, all equally as worthless as the last. He couldn't bring himself to take down the nation then and there. His people were far too valuable.

Perhaps this would be the right time.

Kane was a warmonger. That much he knew.

He would just have to find someone who wad unaffiliated with him to carry out the potential assassination.

Prime Minister's Office

Kane had received a timely and friendly response from her counterpart. She would make full use of the invitation to bring her own escort service. She wasn't going to take any chances. This was enemy territory she was entering. Anything could happen.

Under her jacket she wore a shoulder holster. The gun sat in her desk. Her prized glock. It had been standard issue from her days as an infantry soldier. She never went anywhere without it. She left it in her desk when she worked. No one had second thoughts when she would reach into her desk she had quickly learned.

From the top drawer she pulled it out and placed it in its rightful spot.

'Soon Jin shall know the meaning of justice.' She thought as she lovingly caressed the butt of the gun sticking out from the shoulder holster. She knew that the negotiations would be behind closed doors with just the two of them. She didn't trust him; not a single iota.

Qu'Dong International Airport
Jian Lun Province, Kutou-koku

Emperor Jin sat in a small vehicle on the tarmac. He watched in disgust as the Kryozerkian envoy landed on the run way. He didn't care for the MS Units that were brought in as the escort service for the prime minister; it evoked many bad memories. He remembered tales from his childhood of these devices and how these MS Units had pillaged the lush countryside in their trek to the capital.

His teeth were clenched as he watched more and more land. It was as though they were planning to invade. He had to get rid of the threat and fast. He couldn't afford the slightest slip up.

He glanced up and beckoned over a cameraman who was idling nearby.

"You there, boy! Come here!"

The cameraman ran over and bowed, humbled to have been addressed by the emperor. "I am at your service my liege; what is it that you request?"

"I want you to broadcast this scene before us. I want you to manipulate public opinion. I'd hate to go to war but I want them to see these damned Kryozerkians for the warmongers that they are."

"There are quite a few..." The cameraman noted as he hoisted up his camera and indicated for the reporter accompanying him to report on what was happening. He relayed the request given by the emperor.

'Kane, I tell you to bring personnel and you bring your army! I can't trust you, not one bit!' he clenched his fist.

He sighed as the final plane touched down on the tarmac. He stood up. He knew would have to welcome this leader with open arms. He was repulsed at the thought. He loathed the woman.

He then motioned for a member of the airport security to come over and whispered his special instructions to the guard and slipped the guard a thick wad of Ryous.

The guard appeared reluctant to accept but wouldn't dare to contradict the emperor.

The guard walked over to one of the MS units that had landed; it was next to the plane that had landed. The guard before initiating his request gave many of his personal items to a fellow colleague and in hush tones explained that all Kutounese personnel including the emperor were to vacate the premises. They were to move several yards east and not ask any questions.

The guard watched as the personnel fanned out. The escort with the Kryozerkian envoy didn't appear to notice.

The guard took a deep breath and approached the MS unit closest to the aircraft. He didn't wait to request permission. Intelligence reports provided enough knowledge to personnel so they knew the basic design of the suits.

He knew that there was a back hatch on every single unit. Sneaking in, he approached the pilot from behind and raising his gun before the pilot had a chance, shot the pilot in the back of the head and proceeded to commandeer the unit.

The guard couldn't afford to waste time. He knew he had been spotted.

He could see that just at ground level the prime minister had left the aircraft and was prepared to go to the ground.

This was his chance.

He hit the self-destruct button in the unit.

ooc - I will provide the answer when I get back later; and frankly that's not what you said would happen. I wouldn't have agreed to this if you were going to declare war on us. Don't say one thing and do another! This is why I can't stand you.

OOC: Blah, blah, blah... I know, I hate you too, but no one said I had to play nice. Now, your leader is going to be dead and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it other than declare war on me, which we both know will happen because you're a warmonger.

ooc - too bad no one taught you manners, moron. We had an agreement, but if it's war you want, then it's war you shall have. There will be nothing left of you when I'm done. Which is just too bad. I thought you outgrew this obsession of yours but you're no better than those damn capitalists in Talematros.

I'd ignore this thread except that it's mine.

I don't want my leader dead but you'll cry godmod if I don't play by your asinine rules. Be prepared for me to hand your worthless ass on a silver platter.

Qu'Dong International Airport
Jian Lun Province, Kutou-koku

Kane had made the arrangements for her escort and flight. Not that it too much when one was the leader of a nation with resources and a military that stood ready to strike on a moment's notice.

The flight was shorter than expected, especially when the aircraft was from the Aerial division of the elite commonwealth MS force. The staff aboard the craft was minimal, with just the pilot, co-pilot, Prime Minister, her body guard and a flight attendant. There was seating for more but Kane insisted on minimal personnel aboard the flight.

She wanted to make her impression another way; by sending ahead her finest as a show of force. She meant business and wasn't afraid to show force when it was necessary.

She expected Jin to be a push over, to simply accept her "security", but as she disembarked from the craft, she noticed three of the MS units moving in around a fourth one that was closest to the craft.

She began to set foot out of the craft when the MS unit closest to the craft burst into a spectacular ball of flames, engulfing it and everything around it. The force of the explosion rocked the craft and sent her tumbling to the ground, as the other units around took significant damage.

She lay on the ground, bleeding, barely clinging to life.

Flames rose up around her and everyone else on the ground.

Out of the corner of her eye before her vision faded she saw the bodies of two others; the soldier who had been murdered and the guard who had taken control of the unit. She couldn't see anything else amongst the flaming wreckage.

=====================

Kerzokoia, Parliamentary Lobby

General Trift hadn't been sent to the enemy land. He had been put on standby in the event that talks broke down.

He had received the last urgent message from the craft in Qu'Dong.

Minutes later he was standing before a large gaggle of media personnel. Cameras were rolling, shutters flashed and a barrage of voices pelted him with questions as microphones were put before him in anticipation of the announcement.

"It is my patriotic and sad duty to announce that in the name of peace and serenity that our Prime Minister Shelley Kane went to the nation of Kutou-koku only to be assassinated in cold blood by orders of Emperor Yi Jin. We cannot stand idle while this nation threatens us and our allies.

"We are in need of a leader; our people need a leader and it is for this reason that I, General Trift am assuming temporary power until a new leader is elected from within the Kryozerkian Social Credit Party."

===================

Kerzokoia
Outside the Kutou-koku Embassy

Rioters who had heard the news of the demise of their Prime Minister turned their anger on the embassy and in the process of storming it, took all personnel inside hostage.

The leader of the rioters, a former rebel of the Blazi'ik Valley Milita, a group sanctioned by previous Kryozerkian regimes, Pete Moss, escorted the ambassador into the nearest market square while his men and women escorted the rest of the staff.

The staff had been shackled and blind folded. The ambassador was handcuffed but not blind folded.

In the centre square, Moss pointed for the ambassador to walk in.

A large crowd of Kryozerkians gathered.

Some for blood, others for curiosity.

Moss forced the ambassador to kneel and he stood on a platform, pointing his gun at the back of the ambassador's head. "For your nation's assault on ours, we hereby take your life. Eye for an eye."

He fired a single bullet into the base of the ambassador's skull. The ambassador had refrained from showing any sign of emotion from the time of the arrest to the time of his death. His face betrayed nothing.

Stoically he fell to the ground in a pool of his own blood.

Moss turned and instructed his men and women to line up the diplomatic personnel; anyone who wasn't a Kryozerkian citizen or ally. There were much protests; many of the personnel were crying, begging for mercy.

One by one, each one was shot and left to lie in a pool of their own blood.

Ceremonial Hall, Qu'Dong Imperial Palace

Emperor Yi Jin stood before an organised gathering of media personnel. He held up his hands, he needed silence before he would address the group that bowed before him. He watched as the crowd unilaterally bowed before respectfully taking their seats and waiting for the public address before they dared ask any questions.

From his Imperial Ceremonial robes, Emperor Jin pulled out a thin pair of spectacles. He methodically moved the arms of the glasses up before slowly slipping the spectacles on.

He shuffled the papers importantly in front of him before he glanced up over the top of the glasses and addressed the masses:

"Ladies and gentlemen of the press. No longer will we standby while Prime Minister Kane's reign of terror continues. We have sufficiently dealt with that threat and we stand ready to rise to the new threat that is the ultimatum given by General Trift.

"Our Imperial Guardian Force has been deployed to the north, where the incoming invasion is reported from. All anti-ballistic missile shields and defence systems over our cities have been activated in preparation for any attack."

The emperor cleared his throat and continued, "at this time, all consulates and the singular embassy of Kryozerkia have been stormed by our troops; all personnel taken into custody. All equipment, vehicles, communiques, arsenal, et cetera have been confiscated from said locations. All personnel are being assessed for value, for rather than death, they shall put to work for the good of our nation.

"Even as an enemy, each person who served that wretched nation still has value, as all life rightfully does. We may resort to way over this but we will work to spare the lives of your people.

"Those who wish to sacrificed will be honoured for eternity. Forever martyred with the great heroes and saviours of the glorious Imperial Commonwealth of Kutou-koku.

"On the back of the dragon we will fly into combat and bury our enemies in a sea of hot molten justice."

Behind the emperor, a flurry of red streaks filled the back drop; raining down until every last spark died.

The media erupted patriotically at the pronouncement. Miniature flags were saved by all; patriotism was powerful. The emperor knew it, yet felt a pang of guilt for exploiting that lust within the hearts of his people for a war that could cost them dearly. They were up against a nation that wasn't afraid to break out the big guns.

Kitzenia, Southern Kryozerkia
outside the town of Blazi'Ik Valley
Near the northern border of Jian-Lun, Kutou-koku

The first wave had been sent out immediately. The Commonwealth MS Division, primarily made of Piscium II Units; primed for scouting and front line defence, awaited orders from the nearest outpost. The commanding officer was in an elite MS unit, the Titanium Piscium X. Unlike the other units, the TPX was equipped with small biochemical missiles. The others were equipped with simple air-to-surface missiles designed to do intense damage but minimum area of effect (AOE) damage; ideal for striking a cluster of enemies.

The commander, Lt. Mytras watched the computer screen in the cockpit. Nothing was appearing on his radar other than the units under his command.

All was quiet on the northern front.

The division was only three kilometres north of the border. They had permission to invade, but were holding back due to a strategic command from the nearest command post, informing them that the enemy hadn't crossed the border yet.

They wanted to strike first, but the idea of sitting and waiting for their enemy to approach was welcomed by Lt. Mytras. He preferred to let his dinner come to him. They had enough to protect this vulnerable area.

They were nowhere near Blazi'Ik Valley, so if fighting broke out civilians would be spared the initial brunt of the attack.

'Like an elaborate game of chess; the first move is the key move that will determine how the pawns fall. Soon I will have their king in checkmate.' Lt. Mytras thought stoically. He flipped the switch on the cockpit's control panel, bringing up the intercom.

"Soldiers, we stand on a quiet northern front, but soon we will be in battle. Before we go into battle, I want all of you to think of who you're doing this for, and, forgive me for saying this, but if you need to, make peace with your creator now because you may not have a chance later."

FEDERATED STATES STATE DEPARTMENT
From the Hexagon
Transcript of Daily Briefing (Kyrozerkia/Kutuo-Kuko Relations)

...

SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT VINCE FITZGEIGER: Moving from domestic issues, Kyrozerkia and Kutou-Koko have recently entered into hostilities. The situation seemed to be lulling with peace talks until it ballooned with the killing of the Kyrozerkian Prime Minister. Both nations are currently mobilizing forces at their borderlands. I turn the floor over to Chairman Austergiet.

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL AUSTERGIET: Strategically speaking, Kyrozerkia seems too sudden to jump on the war bandwagon. Because of these, it is highly possible their lack of preparation and symptoms of victory disease can hinder their progress. Nationalism is spreading like wildfire in Kutou-Kuko while Kyrozerkia seems more reluctant to fight. It is my professional opinion that this war will consist of exchanged heavy blows and no true victor on either side. This war, looking at it in this stage in time, shows no chance of any major occupation of foreign lands by either sides. It will end up being a costly, and pointless, conflict.

At this point, there is no perceived threat to us. We have become swept aside with the ending of former President Montag’s term and the implementation of your, Mr. President, and with your decreasing of the military budget, isolation alist policies and attention toward domestic issues. These nations–

SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION LEON GROZNY: Are you insinuating that it was a waste to focus on the needs of our own people?!

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL AUSTERGIET: Excuse me Mr. Secretary, but you do not have the floor.

SECRETARY OF WELFARE AND THE PUBLIC GOOD BERNARD WEINSTEIN: This nationalistic fervor–

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL AUSTERGIET: Excuse me–

SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT VINCE FITZGEIGER: Order! Chairman Austergiet has the floor and full attention of all.

SECRETARY OF THE ENVIRONMENT KLAUS ERMNER: Ridiculous.

SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT VINCE FITZGEIGER: Secretary Ermner, please. Please continue Chairman.

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL AUSTERGIET: Thank you. In all, I advise the Federated States continue observing the situation and not work in any way to instigate any hate toward the Federated States.

SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT VINCE FITZGEIGER: Thank you, Chairman Austergiet. The chair recognizes Secretary Ginsberg.

SECRETARY OF BUSINESS ÉDOUARD GINSBERG: Chairman, do you see industry in both nations being heavily effected by this war?

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL AUSTERGIET: Kyrozerkia seems quick to escalate. Any escalation would include strategic and saturation bombing. I would have no doubt that an air war would erupt over both nations causing much damage to military and civilian targets within both nations.

SECRETARY OF BUSINESS ÉDOUARD GINSBERG: So there would be much damage. Excellent. Then my advise, Mr. President, is to gather representatives from our Fortune 500 companies, inform them of the opening of new markets and fully support them with incentives and tax cuts in order to undercut Kyrozerkian and Kutuo-Koko domestic companies.

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL AUSTERGIET: This would create tension, which I strongly advise against. You would put us in the middle of some one else’s war.

SECRETARY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS TRISTAN VON MANSTIEN: This could also bring us closer to both nati–

SECRETARY OF DEFENSE GUILLAUME PASCAL: You highly underestimate our forces, Chairman.

SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT VINCE FITZGEIGER: Order! The President understands the different issues of this topic, therefore we will be exiting this closed format into open format. Secretary Von Manstien, you may begin.

SECRETARY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS TRISTAN VON MANSTIEN: Thank you. I understand your concerns, Chairman, but I doubt it would increase hostilities between us and these nations. If we act through private corporations, they will have no reason to hate us. If the President and Congress act on more business friendly legislation, it will be in the same vain of the business friendly policies that have been undertaken since the administrations beginning.

SECRETARY OF BUSINESS ÉDOUARD GINSBERG: This makes perfect sense.

CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF GENERAL AUSTERGIET: I don’t believe it will be that simple, Mr. Secretaries.

SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT VINCE FITZGEIGER: Sorry to interrupt, Chairman, but President Alerac has the floor.

PRESIDENT JEAN ALERAC: Am I correct in believing no others besides Chairman Fitzgieger, Secretary Von Manstien and Secretary Ginsberg have no opinion on this matter? If that is the case, I hearby move to close today’s meeting and extend an invitation to Chairman Fitzgieger, Secretary Von Manstien and Secretary Ginsberg to have a private meeting in my office at this meeting’s close?

SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT VINCE FITZGEIGER: Move for dismissal? For? Against? By unanimous vote, the meeting is adjourned.

...

FEDERATED STATES COMMUNIQUE

...The Office of the President has condemned the outbreak of hostilities between Kyrozerkia and Kutou-Koko. He expresses his want for peace and hopes that the loss of life and property is kept at a minimum on both sides. President Alerac has also expressed willingness to move humanitarian supplies to war effected regions...

...The outbreak of hostilies between Kyrozerkia and Kutou-Koko has also garnered the attention of many private companies in Talematros. Major construction, food, fuel, sanitation companies have contacted government outlets in Kyrozerkia and Kutou-Koko expressing their willingness to help both nations return to normalcy after the war...

...A bill today was introduced in the House of Representatives calling for major tax cuts and access to government corporate welfare funds for companies entering foreign markets. The bill looks clear to pass with a majority of the Pro-Business Liberal Party in both the House and the Senate...

ooc: Oh boy, the mobile suit units. How predictable. You're toast.

Imperial Warroom
Qu'Dong, Jian Lun

Emperor Jin scanned the initial report received from the war front.

Not a shot other than some pointless fire unleashed on local wild life, had been fired by the division he had sent out to 'greet' the Kryozerkian force.

The Imperial Android Division along with Imperial Infantry Legion, specialising in stealth attacks with use of cloaking technology and the Dragon's Breath, a heavy armour infantry division that rode on the back of the immortal dragons of Kutou-koku; the rare Blue-winged Silver-back Drake. Only 10 still existed and they were kept strictly for warfare. In times of peace, all members of the infantry units were trained in drake handling.

While quietude of the front was assuring, he remained sceptical. Why weren't the Kryozerkians attacking full on? He had rallied his nation, but under the banner of the ones who would be attacked. How would he deal with this unpredictable turn of events?

One of his generals walked in and bowed. The general held out a portable intercom system that was remotely connected to the front line communication system and the command post.

"The troops await your orders to fire."

"We can't just return fire?"

"The Kryozerkians are a damn peculiar bunch. They declare war on us then they refused to fire a single shot."

"They want another cold war?"

"If they did, wouldn't they point their damn nukes at us, my liege?"

"Point taken, general." Emperor Jin replied, taking the device from his general. He flipped it on and cleared his throat.

Good day. We realise the importance of this moment. We know that initial orders were to wait for the Kryozerkians to open fire but it seems they're reluctant. We have no official intelligence on the nature for this decision, but, we desire to settle the score swiftly.

We have our first orders and this is the first strike order; it goes out to our loyal; brave Dragon's Breath division. You're an elite group of handlers who can handle our finest and rarest creatures to harness their true potential in combat. Your orders are as follows: You are not to strike, but to instil fear in the hears of the Kryozerkian infantry.

Fly close; command the beasts to cry the name of our nation. Drive terror into the hearts of their infantry, but you are not to strike until the Kryozerkians fire. If they open fire first, they are the true aggressors.

Kutou-koku and your Emperor believe in you.

Emperor Jin shut off the device and handed it back to his general. He sighed. "What do we know of their replacement?"

"All we know so far is that the man in charge is General N. Trift, a man who has seen many Prime Ministers, sire. I believe he is a man who has reached the age of true wisdom; he may be someone we can reason with and get that treaty we desire."

The emperor nodded. "Good start, now get everything you can on him. We must know the lay of the chess board before we can move in. It is foolish to go for checkmate without knowing how your enemy thinks. General Tsukino, you're dismissed."

"Sorry, but my emperor, I need yet another moment of your--"

The emperor gave an elusive wave of his hand and gracefully swept by General Tsukino who bowed as the emperor left the room.

Scowling, Tsukino muttered under his breath. He was years younger than the emperor but felt terribly slighted at the curt and abrupt dismissal, something typically reserved for rank and file guardsmen.

He unfolded the page he had in his pocket. He glanced at it, wondering if he would be overstepping his boundaries as a General by extending a welcome to Talematros, allowing the multi-national corporations to establish proper business relations by offering 'special' business privileges reserved for only the most revered nations in the imperial commonwealth's dossier.

Though it would mean some businesses that specialised in the manufacture of weapons would be given preference.

Patriotism built on the foundation of all dedicating themselves to the army by empowering it. With that, anything they did in the war would suffer no backlash. Even if it meant a possible retaliation. Allowing for a complete and total blood bath; something that they had been denied in the last war.

They would paint the rivers of Kryozerkia red; the Kryozerkian dead dotting the rivers as markers on the road to victory.

OOC: Question: are you guys full FT, or PMT? Because I have an FT race of mercenaries always looking for conflicts to get involved in, if either of you guys are interested. It would involve bringing them in from off-world, though. They'll fight for either side, or even both at the same time. Sorry if I'm butting in, but this looks interesting. :)

OOC: Question: are you guys full FT, or PMT? Because I have an FT race of mercenaries always looking for conflicts to get involved in, if either of you guys are interested. It would involve bringing them in from off-world, though. They'll fight for either side, or even both at the same time. Sorry if I'm butting in, but this looks interesting. :)

ooc: As mercenaries, they aren't tied to one side, are they? That would certainly add an element to this. You're welcome to join in. And no, you're not butting in. You're just as welcome as Talematros is. It adds flavour to this.

ooc - The Aletes, you're welcome to join in. :)

We wanted to post last night but we had connection issues, so we're posting our response to Kutou-koku's fucking retarded dragons. Dragons? Seriously, fucking dragons?

Oh and I was checking an old regional map, I realised that I needed to update my newer nation map, otherwise if I post it there is a lack of consistency between this thread and the map. It includes my break away province of Farflorin.

Kutou, you still have your old map from the last war, right? Post it since I'm posting mine.

Map of Kryozerkia (http://www.weaselhut.net/kryomap1.PNG)

=================

Kitzenia, Southern Kryozerkia
outside the town of Blazi'Ik Valley
1 km from the northern border of Jian-Lun, Kutou-koku

The Commonwealth MS Division; 12th Division Platoon, under the command of Lt. Mytras in his TPX unit gave orders for the division to move closer until they were less than a single kilometre from the border with Kutou-koku; the edge of the nation; a southern frontier that would remained uninhabited by all except a few rogue, renegade Blazi'Ik Valley rebels who lived apart from the civilised nation.

It had been a governmental decree from centuries past in an attempt to preserve a cultural heritage area. This was one of few areas that were blocked off from any development. Those who lived here could only live here if they could prove their heritage.

The sky was clear.

The radar screen in Lt. Mytras' TPX. He could see several blips rapidly approaching on the screen. He glanced out the window of the cockpit. On the horizon, ten distinct black specks grew closer. They appeared to be flying in formation. The size even from the distance he was at was stunning. He could hear his heart thumbing in his ears; his pulsed raced. Just what were those things?

The sound at less than a single kilometre would echo in his nightmares.
The roar was defining. This was no drone or aerial superiority craft. This was naturally the most terrifying thing known to man. Nothing had a shrill cry like that other than the endangered Blue-winged Silver back Drake.

It was brought up in the debriefing, but nothing prepared him for this.

"Sweet mother of all that is holy... what the hell are those things?"

"Lieutenant! Your orders? They are rapidly approaching! OH GOD! Those things! I've seen death! YOUR ORDERS? LIEUTENANT!!"

Lt, Mytras knew it was the voice of the next in charge, but he wouldn't move. The paralysing terror inflicted into the depths of his soul. If he ever wondered what the pain of hell was, this was it. The complete and total surrender to the void without a soul.

"Pray... just fucking pray."

OOC, @Kutou: No, they're not tied to any one side at all. They're a nation's worth of mercs, so they can spare plenty of troops to fight for either or both sides, or switch sides, or whatever. It all depends on how much they get paid and what their contracts stipulate.

IC:

As the flames of the conflict on the world below began to kindle, a lone Aletes surveying probe spat itself out of its spatial rift on the outskirts of the system and hurtled inward towards the sun.

One of the planets in the system was generating radio emissions on a scale that indicated an extensive established technological civilization, so the probe triggered its dormant contact protocol and nudged its course to bring it within a thousand kilometers of the world. As it made its first pass, it broadcast its preprogrammed message over and over on a plethora of radio frequencies:

Indigenous Peoples of the system:
The Mercenary Peoples of the Aletes bid you greetings, and offer you our services if you are in need. The astronomical coordinates of a contact node are enclosed if you wish to reply.

The probe kept blindly broadcasting its message even after the minute it took to pass out of practical transmission range, and dipped into the sun's gravity well to slingshot around for another pass.

OOC: I figure this gives you both the opportunity to pick up the probe's message and contact us independently.

Zeke HQ Military Base, Bay of Kaya
Communications Room

Unknown source detected.
Analyzing source...
Analysis complete.
Source status unknown.
Neutrality assumed.
Establishing connectivity to the source's communication system.

The base was complete and totally unmanned aside from a single group of a dozen engineers and scientist. The only other source within the base was an Artificial Intelligence Unit (AIU) that was being tested out. Its sole purpose was to pick up any enemy information; scan the vicinity for unknown interlopers and alert the nearest training base.

The Mercenary Peoples of the Aletes bid you greetings, and offer you our services if you are in need. The astronomical coordinates of a contact node are enclosed if you wish to reply.

The system instantly responded to the probe.

Transmission picked up.
Interpretting transmission.
Interpretation complete.
Transferring Data...
Data transfer accepted...
Data transfer complete.

The words flashed across the screen in rapid succession.

A print off the results of the transmission shot out of the printer where an engineer was on break. He watched the dot matrix paper get printed. The results of the analysis made it obvious the AIU picked up the transmission and had sent it to the nearest manned outpost.

Less than a minute later, another print out came, and on the screen for the AIU, more text appeared.

Response from Kaya Alpha Outpost received
Sending acknowledgement to Unknown Source.
ACK --- SYN --- ACK...
Three-way handshake initiated.
Communications established.
Message sent.

The print out from the AIU read:

Aletes is welcomed to send a diplomatic envoy to Kerzokoia. General Trift will discuss matters then and there.

ooc: I know my map is around somewhere. I'll have to do a search for it; I don't even remember what the file name is.

===========

Kitzenia, Southern Kryozerkia
~1 km north of Jian-Lun, Kutou-koku

There were only ten in existence. Thus, only ten flew into combat. They flew into enemy territory in a traditional formation.

http://www.weaselhut.net/format123.png

The head of the formation, the Master Handler wielded a whip. Cracking the whip, the Blue-winged Silver-back Drake let out a terrifying roar. If he wasn't so accustomed to the battle cry of the fantastical beast of the legend, he would have been unnerved hearing while riding on the creature as it soared through the air, cutting close to many of the Kryozerkian units on the ground.

The Master Handler gave a hand signal for his division to circle close and follow him back away before they would loop back for a second taste of Kryozerkian fear.

On the second round, the Master Handler found him wondering, just would it take to provoke the enemy? They were given order to instil fear. They had no doubt achieved that, but when would they be able to do something more than just torment the enemy psychologically?

A renegade Rider at the back of the division broke rank on the second loop and didn't follow back. Instead, the Rider flew straight into a small group of Picium II units and gave the creature the command to breath ice onto the units, initiating the first attack.

Monitoring Station Epsilon,

"I have a bite on a surveying drone, Hrowl-Chief-Monitor," Node-Monitor reported, slashing his claws in front of his face in Kzinti salute as his superior approached. "Kerrrzokoia," the huge furry alien purred, rolling the unfamiliar word. "They wish to meet with an ambassador."

Hrowl rumbled deep in his throat as he leaned over the shoulder of his fellow Kzin and peered at the report on the monitoring console. "Continue to monitor that probe," the Chief Monitor ordered. "I will alert Rhasia-Speaker-to-Animals to this," he said, using the traditional Kzinti term for ambassador.

Within a few minutes, the Eldren in question swept into the monitoring nest and laid a slim hand on Node-Monitor's hulking shoulder.

"Your vigilance is commendable, Node-Monitor," she said in the best possible rendition of the Kzinti Hero's Tongue by Eldren vocal chords, gently but firmly pressing him aside so that she could use the console. Her fingers flew over the console, entering a direct control code that gave her full access to the drone and all of its functions and dictating a reply.

Rhasia Kymaerin will represent the Aletes, and will arrive as soon as her vessel and traveling contingent is prepared for transit. We can jump straight to the surface location of your choice.

Gundams, Dragons and now Larry Niven stuff? I don't think the Federated States and its terrestrial technology and ways fits well here. Wish you all the best of luck!

Gundams, Dragons and now Larry Niven stuff? I don't think the Federated States and its terrestrial technology and ways fits well here. Wish you all the best of luck!

ooc - That wasn't a problem before when we had our little war. I wouldn't have really considered it to be such a problem.

And with that, the Federated States of Talematros ended the war and ushered in an era of peace. The barbaric values and culture of Kyrozerkia and Kutou-Koko faded into obscurity as Talematrian culture reigned supreme. GDP and standard of living sky rocketed under the Talematrian free market, the income gap decreased with Talematrian social programs and the game of checkers enjoyed a surge in popularity and claimed its spot during primetime on ESPN. If you were to come to this region today to enjoy beautiful natural as well as man made scenery, you can hear the citizens from Kyrozerkia, Kutou-Koko, and of course Talematros, utter their new cry with pride: Vie Longue le Federation! Freiheit fur alle Menschheit!