NationStates Jolt Archive

The lurid neon signs on Crack Street added to the festive atmosphere in downtown Ssyn. Soldiers from several regional nations had been pouring into the small nation for a week. Roman legions, Orcathan mercenaries, and the Death Brigades of the dreadful Baaliim to name a few. All in all, over twelve million military personnel were occupying the southern coastline of the region of Mog Druthin.

A long black limo screeched to a halt in front of what passed for the governmental center of Ssyn. It was, in fact, a tavern. Nonetheless, the three men who exited the limo quickly walked through the door of the heavily guarded building. One of them barked an order, and the people inside who had set up the comm-equipment scurried to obey.

The three sat at a plain wooden table, hands folded in front of them, visages grim. The cameraman gave them a sign, and they began to speak.

"I am General Lucius Maximus of the United Roman Legions. I and my colleagues, General Hrozgr of Orcathau and High Commander Than-Nostros of The Baaliim are here for one purpose. We here-by give notice to the imperialistic pigs of the nation of Auralinia that a state of war exists between the region of Mog Druthin and the nations of Auralinia and Granite Mountain. These two nations sought to infiltrate the nation and city of Ssyn, kill the rulers therein, and establish a foothold in our region."

He paused, and gestured to a point behind him. "They failed. Who you see back there are the Granite Mountaineers, who were funded by Auralinia, who are presently prisoners of war, captured by the valiant Guardians of Romanni."

He nodded to the man next to him. "High Commander, would you take it from here?"

Than-Nostros. Uttering his name was the same as saying 'the devil'. A man totally without any civilized notion of mercy. His nation was one of insane blood-rituals and sacrificing children to the molten idol Baal. This is the man who now stood.

He glared at the cameras, hatred in his eyes. "These pigs dared to assault the sovereignty of Mog Druthin. Watch what we do to pigs." He signalled to a group of creatures who grabbed the prisoners, bound them to posts set in the ground and then stepped back. The general himself walked over to a brazier, glowing red-hot with coals. On top of the coals were several rusted iron implements, one of which he picked up. He grinned evilly as he opened and closed the pincers he carried.

With one swift movement he jammed the pincers between the clenched teeth of the Mountaineer, pulled sharply on the man's tongue, pulling it out far enough where he sliced it off with the other hand which held a razor-sharp battle-knife. The man screamed until he passed out. When Than-Nostros turned to the other man, he was rewarded with a face full of spittle. In a rage, he pointed at the Mountaineer and two huge Orcathan desert wolves pounced on the man, tearing him to pieces before the horrified eyes of he commscreen viewers.

"There you are, Mr. President. You and your Granite Mountain friends will cherish that scene for the rest of your lives." He made a slashing motion across his throat and the picture abruptly disappeared.......

President Danielson was livid. One of his people was dead, as was a citizen of Granite Mountain. "These sonsabitches are gonna pay. General! Are we ready to move against these barbarians?"

Gen. Robert "Bobby" MacCormac paused and chose his words carefully. "Mr. President, you know as well as I do that we can wipe these assholes off the face of the earth. At issue, however, is our regional directive to take all of Mog Druthin intact. We can take two, maybe three, of those nations with little or no bloodshed or destruction. We can't take all nine. I'd suggest you contact President Milhone over in Yugoslavitania and advise him of the situation."

Danielson's anger faded just a bit as he considered the General's words. "Dammit Bobby, I'm President here as well as Vice-President of the USA region. We've been attacked for all intents and purposes. I intend to strike back."

MacCormac spoke. "Sir, with all due respect to the slain citizens, we shouldn't go to war over two people who were caught where they shouldn't have been doing something that they shouldn't have been doing. Thousands more will die. We are at High Alert. We're ready for any attack. If they do,we'll handle 'em. I suggest we wait just a while. See what our allies are gonna do."

Danielson said, "Your'e right. We'll wait. Forty-eight hours. Not a second longer."

The General straightened up and saluted, turned on his heel, and as he reached for the door, abruptly stopped and turned to face the President. "And sir, I'd be careful about using the word 'barbarian'. Xeraph has responded....theyr'e on their way................."

The Doors of the Great Hall, Burst open startling the people sitting around a vast table
The Aide stopped wide eyed as he glanced about the room filled with various dignataries
from around Mandoa
Slowly a figure rose from his seat at the head of the table, And motioned the aide forward
Gulping down fear he bowed to the Archon of Mandalore Prime, Jaden Valtane

My leige the Chief of Staff has dispatched me to bring you down to the War Room...
Wiping his hands on a napkin... Jaden excused himself from the gathering & with his sister Alyanna
in tow made a prompt exit...

Entering the War Room... Jaden split from his sister who went straight to CIC
My Lord... Sorry to interrupt your engagement party
Apparentaly one of our allies has been declared upon....

With that the Colonel toggled a screen


"I am General Lucius Maximus of the United Roman Legions. I and my colleagues, General Hrozgr of Orcathau and High Commander Than-Nostros of The Baaliim are here for one purpose. We here-by give notice to the imperialistic pigs of the nation of Auralinia that a state of war exists between the region of Mog Druthin and the nations of Auralinia and Granite Mountain. These two nations sought to infiltrate the nation and city of Ssyn, kill the rulers therein, and establish a foothold in our region."

He paused, and gestured to a point behind him. "They failed. Who you see back there are the Granite Mountaineers, who were funded by Auralinia, who are presently prisoners of war, captured by the valiant Guardians of Romanni."

He nodded to the man next to him. "High Commander, would you take it from here?"

Than-Nostros. Uttering his name was the same as saying 'the devil'. A man totally without any civilized notion of mercy. His nation was one of insane blood-rituals and sacrificing children to the molten idol Baal. This is the man who now stood.

He glared at the cameras, hatred in his eyes. "These pigs dared to assault the sovereignty of Mog Druthin. Watch what we do to pigs." He signalled to a group of creatures who grabbed the prisoners, bound them to posts set in the ground and then stepped back. The general himself walked over to a brazier, glowing red-hot with coals. On top of the coals were several rusted iron implements, one of which he picked up. He grinned evilly as he opened and closed the pincers he carried.

With one swift movement he jammed the pincers between the clenched teeth of the Mountaineer, pulled sharply on the man's tongue, pulling it out far enough where he sliced it off with the other hand which held a razor-sharp battle-knife. The man screamed until he passed out. When Than-Nostros turned to the other man, he was rewarded with a face full of spittle. In a rage, he pointed at the Mountaineer and two huge Orcathan desert wolves pounced on the man, tearing him to pieces before the horrified eyes of he commscreen viewers.

"There you are, Mr. President. You and your Granite Mountain friends will cherish that scene for the rest of your lives." He made a slashing motion across his throat and the picture abruptly disappeared.......

Standing there... Jaden whistled long & low... "Damn Auralinia stepped in it but good this time"...

Any response from Auralinia??? or for that matter Xeraph?

"Xeraph has mobilized... Several Units... Intel is still coming in"

Ok... Contact Auralina & append it to Xeraph... Alert them that we are also mobilizing our 7th Legion.

"Mr. President, we seem to have an unexpected ally. Check your comm-screen."

Danielson read and re-read the message from Archon Jaden. He laughed, the first time he'd done so in several days. "Unexpected my ass. That's Xeraph's oldest ally, Mandalore Prime. The two go back hundreds of years. Old Alaric and Eric Valtane started this whole friggin' mess by attacking and destroying several incarnations of rebellions and wars by this particular region. The last one was called the Pagan Borderlands led by the vampyr General Azulun. That's where Alaric and old Valtane's great-grandson were killed, among others, including Azulun. Tens of millions died in that war. Somewhere around thirty nations were involved, several of which no longer exist, courtesy of that bastard Azulun and his sorceror side-kick Tsaphon. Who, by the way, is still around somewhere. I wouldn't be surprised if he were behind this ploy."

The President of Auralina, Danielson was also Vice-President of the region of the United States of America. He had succeeded the former ruler, King Ricala when Ricala accepted a new directive from the Regents to take full control of the OutWorld holdings of the Empire. Ricala now ruled six planets and numerous moons and satellites of the Taiuuen and Typhon Expanses in the constellation Tau Ceti. Danielson sought approval from the Regents to move the nation to the USA in order to become more strongly bound to the up-and-coming region. It was granted, and a new, powerful alliance came into being: the XerAmer Federation, XAF. Now, the first test of his administration lay before him.

"Let the Archon know that we are grateful for the support and suggest to him that he stand by with a good deal more troops and such. We're gonna need 'em. And let the Xeraphian Regents know that we're ready for both the expected....and the unexpected."

The president's aide looked puzzled by this last comment. Danielson chuckled again. "All in good time, all in good time....."

"Are these guys idiots?" asked Vice President Humoson rhetorically, "They are going to be wiped off the Earth's arse like the pieces of shit they are. Not only that but they suffer from EHAWED too. It is really a sad mental affliction, eh, David?"

"Yes, yes it is, "answered President Aposon, " But once again we have to prove that their economic system is made of pure fail because of a few lazy people. Let's contact the offended and see if they would like any help."

"Doing so now," the Vice-President sent a message to Auralinia:

To Whom It May Concern,

Communists are an enemy to Uiri.
These idiots are Communists.
You have a Casus Belli.
Uiri wishes to know if you wish any assistance
in wiping these arses from the face of the planet.

Seth couldn't believe it. "Cocksuckers! A people should realize when they've been conquered." He glanced again at the newly organized region of Mog Druthin. "Baaliim's still there. Paix-Lamort. And what's with the Roman Legions? Three nations claiming direct descendancy from ancient Rome."

Prince Vlad of The Grey Phoenix grunted. "There's someone out there looking to screw with us. Why should this be any different?"

Seth looked at him. "Well, for one thing, we got a new leader, soon to be made known. Secondly, we got new allies thanks to Danielson. Thirdly, this time we're not only gonna destroy the fuckers but we're gonna occupy the whole fuckin' region and ferret out all of the assholes. Four times in the past 370 years. Enough is enough. Valtane's in on it with us. Our 'friend' will contact Milhone and see if he wants to split it three ways."

Vlad looked at him. "This is going to be a relatively quick one, no?"

A shadow crossed Seth's brow. "Hell, Vlad, you know how these things go. We're dealing with Tsaphon, Xaltotun's kindred. If I know Amra, he'll want to totally eradicate the bastards."

Vlad held a finger to his lips. "Not so loud. Keep it under wraps for just another few days."

Seth laughed. "You and your secrets! This kid's gonna blow the lid off of a major region, ally himself with several others, and in the process rule over the largest form of The Empire that has ever existed! And your'e worried about speaking his name! Everyone's gonna be speaking, no shouting, his name in just a few days."

"All the same, I want to wait. It's been a secret for 20 years. Let's keep it that way just a while longer, eh?"

"Yeah, OK. Now, what about the Clone Troopers? Ya think twelve million's enough................?

(OOC: Open RP?)

The UnHoly Four, as they quickly became known, were unmoved by the request of the People's Chieftan. "Understand something, Tilsip. This is an all-out war against those who have kept us away from our rightful destiny for too long. Win or lose, this is it. One way or another we're going to know who is going to rule who. We are not as mighty as Auralinia, but....heh....we fight dirty."

A bedraggled soldier ran into the tavern. "Sire, news. It's Xeraph. They're mobilising."

A palpable fear rippled through the crowd. Tilsip spoke. "Sire...Xeraph. How can we combat THEM?"

Silence for several moments. Then a shadowy figure arose from the dark corner of the room. Robed and cowled, it held up a bony hand. "Never fear, my son. I'll handle Xeraph."

(OOC: Open RP?)


ooc: the more the merrier. if you'd like send your troops here a part of the recon team I'll be forming.

"Are these guys idiots?" asked Vice President Humoson rhetorically, "They are going to be wiped off the Earth's arse like the pieces of shit they are. Not only that but they suffer from EHAWED too. It is really a sad mental affliction, eh, David?"

"Yes, yes it is, "answered President Aposon, " But once again we have to prove that their economic system is made of pure fail because of a few lazy people. Let's contact the offended and see if they would like any help."

"Doing so now," the Vice-President sent a message to Auralinia:

To Whom It May Concern,

Communists are an enemy to Uiri.
These idiots are Communists.
You have a Casus Belli.
Uiri wishes to know if you wish any assistance
in wiping these arses from the face of the planet.


ooc: not commies....pagan idol worshippers/werewolves (yes I said werewolves)/vampires, UndeadFleshEatingClones and Warriors Priests who have massive Chem-Bio capabilities. Among others. Join the fun, but be ready to take your lumps...

OOC: Oh, I guess I must've misread what they said. I thought they were communists. Disregard the anti-commie jumping at the chance to put more people into insane asylums.

Grand Duke Ozgood looked over the report that just crossed his desk. "Minister Sweetwater why in the hell has Xeraph mobilized their troops over some possible brush fire war?"
"Auralinia is now aligned with Xeraph's new government, My Duke. With the dissolution of GAPTS, they have been looking for allies as near as we can tell."
"Son of a Bitch, this is a kind of thing that can blow up in their faces if they are not careful. Two small countries start shooting and they all start calling in freinds. This could turn in to a huge cluster fuck."
"My Duke, I will remind you we still have forces in Xeraph. Do you want me to contact General Cox and have them removed before the shooting starts?"
The Duke stood up and turned toward the large window that overlooks the gardens of the Keep. "Alric was one of my best friends and I will be Damned if I will leave his nation with out our support."
"But Sir, This is none of our business. We have no right to get involved. The only answer here is to remove our forces and bring them home."
"Minister Sweetwater I can not live with that. When the Lords revolted who came to our aid?"
"Xeraph Sir."
"Exactly, you will inform the Regents of our intention to offer any aid necessary. Is that clear."
"Yes my Duke."
"On you way out find General Cox and Admiral Dayron and get them here ASAP.
We have planing to do."

Two men dressed in the uniform of the Tarlag Defense Force entered the Grand Duke's office. Ozgood seeing them enter stood up and walked around his massive cherry wood desk. He met the men in the center of the room and shook both their hands. "General Cox, Admiral Dayron please be seated"
Both men took their seats. Dayron was the first to speak. "I just got done talking to Sweetwater and he has given both of us a hundred reasons not to support Xeraph. He could not give me one good reason why we should help."
Ozgood leaned back in his leather chair and looked at the two men.
"Yes I know he just sent me a memo listing his reasons." With that he holds up the paper sent by his Foreign-Minister. "This Gentleman in what I think of his list." With that statement he crumples the paper and tosses it in the waste basket.
"General Cox, what do we have on the ground their now?"
The General looks at his lap top for a moment and replies. "We have about five Regimental Combat Teams. They are mostly doing reconstruction, planting trees, and helping where they can in the Mercenary Lands. Despite all their power their support for the civilian population has been some what lacking in certain areas."
"Admiral Dayron what do you have in the area?"
"We have been keeping a force of four carriers and three battle cruisers plus support ships in the area to cover our ground forces and escort our vessels in the area. Admiraal Honda commands that force."
"Very good I want our forces in the area to be brought up to a combat footing."
General Cox spoke up. "Sir, most of those units are green with no combat experience. We rotated all of the experienced units out after the fighting ended."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"Send in Morgan Kell and his Hounds. He has three RCTs of experienced troops who spent most of the last war beating the Horde to a bloody pulp."
"Good idea, Dayron send a strong escort force with Kells troops ships. They can reinforce Honda's ships. You both better get going their is a lot to get done."
Dayron stands up to leave then thinks for a moment, he then asks "What about Auralinia? They are going to be the front line in this."
"Your right." Replied the Duke "Send a second naval force out under some one with combat experience to go there. Dayron lets send about four RCTs of Naval Infantry to give them support on the ground. That should slow anyone attacking down until we can send a more substantial force in."

Danielson was unusually calm. He was about to order 3.4 million air, naval, ground, and armored troops into an all-out assault on a relatively unknown region. And from what Xeraphian intel says, the enemy was somewhat "other worldly."

"Were-wolves, trolls, vampires....." He looked up at his commanders. "Gentlemen.....what the fuck.....?"

A tall, stately man in full battle garb chuckled. "Mr. President, if I may explain..."

Danielson looked at the man. "Who the hell are you? You one of my people?"

"No sir." He extended his hand. "John Strickland. Former High Commander of the Xeraphian Military Forces. Some call me Prince John."

Danielson jumped up. "Sir! I'm honored! I didn't know you were here." He turned to his aide. "Why didn't I know the Prince was here?"

"No one knew, Mr. President. I just trans-beamed in a minute ago. Now if you'd allow me, I'll tell you how we beat the shit outta these creatures the last three times we came up against them....."

If so I'd like to enter,

Our Nation would like to hear from the nations involved why there is a
war comming.
If we think the cause is justified than we may enter into it,
other wise we'd like to sell arms to the defenders.

OCC as far as I know Cascade this is open so welcome.

I'd like to enter if it's still going on

OCC this is still going on and open. I will warn you that posting will not be fast and furious. Auralinia and Co. seem to only be posting every few days (Damn that real life!). I will be away from the computer next week due to my vacation.
I would Tel. Auralinia for the details of what is going on and maybe some back round on the various nations involved.

Looking Down at the base. Jaden watched gloomily as the troops of the 7th Legion began to load up for the trip to Auralinia... There they would link up with the garrison units stationed in Xeraph who were mobilizing on the border between the two...

For the first time since he was a cadet... He wasn't going with his troops... In his Place was his sister
Alynna, Herself a topnotch Warrior in her own right, though her specialty was Power-Armour

His sister was granted the rank of Praetor for the duration of this crisis.

Turning around he noticed his Exach, Warren Peace sitting in one of the two chairs waiting patiently
Exach was a title not used since the days of Jaden's Grandfather Eric Valtane in the days of the Koth War

Thumping his arm to his chest, Fist clenched, The Exach began the daily debriefing

Xeraph Garrison
15th Light Horse Fusiliers
500,000 men(Including all support)

7th Mandalorian Dragoons Legion “Pride of Valtane”
1.5 million men

sighing Jaden hoped that would be enough... As a precaution he tapped a few buttons...Basically putting Mandalore Prime to a Heightened Alert Status

General Zenji Orita stood on the bridge of the Super Dreadnought Waterloo as the massive vessel left Forbidden Bay with the rest of the fleet. "Admiral Harrington, this ship of yours is truly amazing."
The white bearded officer rotated his command chair and faced the smaller man. "Yes, fourteen twenty one inch guns and massive missile batteries. We can give you all the fire support your troops need. Speaking of your troops, how did you manage to wrangle more men out of the Duke? I thought he was only going to send four RCTs to Auralinia."
"Prime-Minister Santo intervened on my behalf. He talked to Duke Ozgood and said this was one war we could not afford to go half ass ed on."
"Ozgood actually listened for once?"
"Yea, Because Santo cheated he brought Lady Moonshadow in on his side. After a twenty minute brow beating by her Ozgood was ready to send the whole army including the Greencoat Reserve and the Boy scouts just to shut her up."
The main CIC officer Lt. Commander Mika Long walked up to the two senior officers and interrupted their conversation "Beg-en your pardon Sir, recon has picked up twenty five old Victory class transports on an intercept course. Fleet Control does not have those ships on the manifest"
General Orita turned to the female officer and answered "That is the Knights contingent. Lady Moonshadow insisted that a unit of knights go to aid in fighting the supernatural menace."
"Very well Sir I will have them form up with the other troops ships."

Tarlagian Order of Battle

Dragons Claw

7 Regimental Combat Teams (70,000 combat effective)

5th Armored Corps.

5 Regimental Combat Teams (50,000 Combat effective)

29th Infantry Corps.

5 Regimental Combat Teams (55,000 Combat effective.)

Naval Infantry

6 Regimental Combat teams (60.000 Combat effective.)

Fidelis

3 Regimental Combat teams (30,000 Combat effective.)

Knights of Ironhold

15,000 regular troops and 15,000 Reserve Troops.

Naval Units

3x SDN Agincourt Class
3x BBH Argo Class
10x BB Ragnarok Class
6x BCH Majestic Class
3x BCL Alaska II Class
6x CVN Yorktown Class
5x CVS Midway II Class
4x CVH Dragon Class
10x CAG Tone Class
20x DDG Dever Class
40x FC Fletcher Class
15x FFG Mann Class
10x LHA Roosevelt Class Assault Ships
10x SSN RO-76 Class
5x SSBN I-400 Class
10x SSH RO-800 Class
5x SSD IO-707 Class
Full Troop transport and support Fleet

I'm slightly confused,
what level of war fare are we playing?

I'm slightly confused,
what level of war fare are we playing?

I'd say a mixed of PMT/Fantasy Tech
He did say Were-wolves & that shit

*Future Reference this will be the standard TO&E

Praetor = Field Marshal

Legion - 3 Corps/540,000 men
C/O: Legate

Corp - 5 Cohorts/180,000 men
C/O: Pro-Consul

Cohort - 4 Phalanx/36,000 men
C/O: Consul

Phalanx - 6 Clusters/9,000 men
C/O: Tribune

Cluster - 5 Trinaries/1,500 men
C/O: Imperator

Master Chief of the Legions

Trinary - 3 Binaries/300 men
C/O: Lieutenant

Binary - 4 Points/100 men
C/O: Centurion

Point - 5 Elements/25 men
C/O: Prefect

Element - 5 men
C/O: Adept

---

Aerospace/Armor Forces Breakdown

Cluster - 5 Trinaries (150 Craft)
Trinary - 3 Stars (30 Craft)
Bianry - 2 Stars (20 Craft)
Star - 5 Points (10 Craft)
Point - 2 Fighters/Armored Vehicles

(#'s i used before where from aa older TO&E)

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

Revised TO&E for Auralina Theatre

Praetor Alynna Valtane

Xeraph Garrison
15th Light Horse Fusiliers (Legion)
540,000 men (Supported by JMOB, stationed in Sea of Ravenii)

7th Mandalorian Dragoons (Legion) “Pride of Valtane”
540,000 men

13th Coventry Highlanders (Legion)
540,000 men

2nd Praetorian Guard (Cohort)
36,000 men

10th CBG

OCC Looks like we are going to use the kitchen sink on this one. Mandalor Prime I see you are a Battle Tech fan also. The Clans if I am not mistaken.
Please see above I have added to my TOE.

Looking Down at the base. Jaden watched gloomily as the troops of the 7th Legion began to load up for the trip to Auralinia... There they would link up with the garrison units stationed in Xeraph who were mobilizing on the border between the two...

For the first time since he was a cadet... He wasn't going with his troops... In his Place was his sister
Alynna, Herself a topnotch Warrior in her own right, though her specialty was Power-Armour

His sister was granted the rank of Praetor for the duration of this crisis.

Turning around he noticed his Exach, Warren Peace sitting in one of the two chairs waiting patiently
Exach was a title not used since the days of Jaden's Grandfather Eric Valtane in the days of the Koth War

Thumping his arm to his chest, Fist clenched, The Exach began the daily debriefing

Xeraph Garrison
15th Light Horse Fusiliers
500,000 men(Including all support)

7th Mandalorian Dragoons Legion “Pride of Valtane”
1.5 million men

sighing Jaden hoped that would be enough... As a precaution he tapped a few buttons...Basically putting Mandalore Prime to a Heightened Alert Status

ooc: as an FYI, your map puts you directly in the path of any Mog Druthin attacks towards the south. MG is approx 1700 north/northwest of Xeraph

I'd say a mixed of PMT/Fantasy Tech
He did say Were-wolves & that shit


ooc: MT with a touch of PMT/FT. Since this is going to be a fairly one-sided war, I'm going to use Orbiting Battle Platforms for surveillance. The werewolves etc are, I believe, on the side of the Mog Druthin nations. A little harder to kill than humans, but we'll manage somehow....heh...

"OK, so how long is this gonna take. We've still got some rebuilding to do and I'm not interested in a prolonged war. I say we blitz 'em and be done with it."

Vlad looked at Seth. "I'm of a mind to agree with you, but our allies are already on their way to Mog. Any form of WMDs will affect them to some extent."

"And what allies would they be?"

"Tarlag, Mandalore Prime, not to mention Auralinia itself. Funny how it began as a move against Auralinia and now we're going to bear the brunt of it."

"Well hell, Vlad, we're right in the way of a direct route down there. Ya think theyr'e gonna go around Xeraph, Black Shadows and The Grey Phoenix?"

Vlad chuckled. "Doubtful. At the very least they'll try to overfly our region. The AirWings will take care of that and the navy will effectively block their passage south. Which means they're fucked before they even start. Which further means that they have something up their sleeves. Something undoubtedly very nasty."

"Yeah. Don't forget Tsaphon's been spotted in one of the Roman provinces over there. God knows what's brewin' in that head of his."

Vlad padded over to the commscreen. "I ordered OBP34-G and OBP 161-J to an alignment over the east-to-west coastline coordinated of Mog Druthin. If any ICBMs launch outta there, they won't get 100 miles before we neutralize 'em." The Orbiting Battle Platform was an effective weapon of defense in the Xeraphian arsenal. Lasers, pulse cannons, and conventional missiles were employed in a highly efficient manner. Nothing got past them.

Seth let out a long breath. "OK, go to Strike Alert-3. One fucking step in our direction by those assholes and we attack. Agreed?"

Vlad nodded. "Agreed. Strickland is in Auralinia talking strategy with President Danielson. He'll be third line of defense behind Tarlag and Mandalore Prime." He paused for a second. "Shit....the six of us are putting over 18 million units into the field! What in hell are the enemy commanders thinking? They can't command a third of that number." He glanced at Seth. "Your'e right. There's more to this than meets the eye. That sonofabitch wizard is cooking something up."

Seth grimaced. "Yeah, and it 'aint Sunday afternoon dinner....."


Just then the door slammed open and a huge figure filled the doorway. The Regents went for their sidearms but never pulled them. "Amra! What the fuck, boy! I almost shot you."

Amra laughed. "Almost don't count, you old asshole. And you call me 'boy' again and I kick your wrinkled ass!" All three laughed as they shook hands and slammed each other on the back. "I hear your'e planning a war. Doncha think your Emperor should have a say in that?"

"You 'aint Emperor yet. Hell, most Imperial citizens don't even know your'e alive."

Amra stood there, a spitting image of his slain father...........Alaric Tan'it. Fully six-foot six inches tall, his heavily muscled frame gave off an aura of untamed power and might. His long black hair fell to his waist, his short chin-beard and piercing steel-blue eyes gave him a sense of ferociousness that made men scurry out of his way. Garbed as a traditional Xeraphian trooper: black leather neck to foot. Over all was the fine dark grey chainmail tunic. At his sides were the twin Glock 9mm pistols and his Katana.

Amra grunted. "What better way to let 'em find out, eh?"

"Hmmf. Just like your father. Arrogance never suited him, either."

Amra laughed. "Nonethe less, I'm taking part in this war. Now, fill me in....."

Danielson was in no mood for pleasentries. It wasn't the enemy region of Mog Druthin that bothered him. No, it was a bunch of fledgling communist nations who were apparently Nazi-haters......to an extreme. Anyway, he'd deal with them at a later time.

He scanned the numerous reports a last time, satisfied that all was set to deal the MG nations a quick and decisive blow. He picked up his phone and was about to dial the Xeraphian Regent's personal line when he heard a soft noise behind him. He turned and the last thing he saw was a pallid, bone-like finger edging ever closer to his forehead........

"By the brass balls of Satan! I truly hope Tsaphon knows what he's doing!" This from one of the Roman Praetorians, Gracus by name.

"Patience, Gracus. Even if he fucks this up we have our legions. We'll attack regardless of what he does."

Gracus threw the woman an icy stare. "Brilliant! Just fucking brilliant! Our few million against the combined might of Auralinia, Mandalore Prime, Tarlag and Xeraph! Any one of 'em can stop us. What the FUCK was the Council thinking?"

The woman walked across the room and out onto a balcony. The view that greeted her was dismal, to say the least. Snow and ice piled high in drifts, a frigid wind scattering dead leaves across the courtyard. She turned and faced the Roman.

"Now listen to me, you stupid fool! If I didn't think we had a chance to win this war, I wouldn't have killed my own mother along with the rest of that pathetic council! The eternal wrangling, discussing, this way and that! Fuck them! And fuck you if you think I'm going to stop now!"

Her name was Serena, but her name belied her personality. She was the daughter of the former head of The Council of Ssyn whose throat she slit as her mother begged for mercy. As the elder woman bled her life out on the cold flagstone floor, Serena calmly pulled her Beretta .380 and fired a single shot into each of the heads of the remaining council members.

Before the Praetorian could act, Serena tossed, almost casually, a foot-long poniard at the commander, which buried itself to the hilt in his left eye. With a strangled cry, Gracus fell to the floor, twitching uncontrollably as the blade's poisonous coating did it's job. A great spasm wracked his frame, blood gushed from all his bodily orifices, and with a final gasp of pain, Gracus died.

"So much for him", she said aloud to no one in particular.

A soft, menacing voice behind her gave her a start. "Be careful who you kill, my dear. Some may try to come back and return the favor."

"Tsaphon..........................!"

The President of Auralinia woke to find himself in a decrepit, run-down building, hands tied at the wrist. Before him stood a scantily-clad woman and a ....creature.....who now spoke.

"Greetings, Mr. President. I trust your'e comfortable? I am called Tsaphon, this is Jezebel."

Before he could go on, Danielson said, "Your'e in deep shit, mister. In an hour or so when I'm discovered missing and the security cameras tell their tale, there'll be nothing that will stop my people and my allies from launching an assault on this pathetic country."

The woman spoke. "We know. In fact, the assault has already begun. We estimate that in about 12 hours well over half of the region's population will be dead with another 20-30 percent wounded or missing."

He stared at her for several seconds. "And you don't care? Tens of millions of your people dead and you ust don't care?"

She leveled an icy stare at him. "Theyr'e just people. We can always get more people."

Danielson was considered a hard man, but this was too much. "Cut me loose now and maybe I can call off the attack."

Tsaphon spoke. "Too late. The Xeraphian Coalition is on it's way here. We don't stand a chance."

"Then...why...?

The wizard's countenance grew cold as he stared off into space. "Amra......"

It was a truly magnificent day to begin a war. Sun high in the sky, sun beating down on a languid ocean creating a scintillating effect on the tiny wavelets breaking onshore.

Captain Hightower scanned one more time the massed enemy forces on the coastline of Ssyn, which was the westernmost nation of Mog. To no one inparticular he said, "These people actually think we're going to invade. If they only knew."

Turning to his left, he said, "Chief, what's the word from our fearless leaders?"

The grizzled old veteran grinned in reply. "Dey says anytime youse is ready, skipper."

Hightower punched his commpin. "This is the captain. The Regents and our Allies have given the go-ahead and have given us the privilege of initiating Operation First-Strike. All hands to battlestations. Phase One will commence in five minutes. After the OBPs do their thing, we'll do ours. Good luck ladies and gentlemen and Godspeed."

The Orbiting Battle Platforms, high above the region of Mog Druthin, were powering up their weapons-systems. The pulse-cannons, ionic torpedoes, and blue-green lasers were about to unleash hell on the enemy coastline. Hightower tapped the commpin once more. "OBP 2-A8, online? OBP 77-U6 online?" An affirmative was given. He glanced once more at the Mog landmass. "Fire".

Three seconds later, the shoreline of Ssyn exploded in a myriad of the most unearthly colors as the lasers and cannons of the dual OBPs delivered their attack. Fully thirty-six miles of both defensive and offensive fortifications were destroyed in less than a minute as the computer-guided weapons traced
a zig-zag pattern that ran from the water's edge to a point 3/4 of a mile inland. Black smoke billowed skyward as the enemy forces fried in their own blood.

Hightower spoke again. "All sarin missiles....FIRE!" Fully three hundred sarin-tipped warheads were launched from a half-dozen Xeraphian missile-destroyers. They were headed far inland to impact the major cities of Ssyn, excludung the ancient city of Ssyn itself. The Regents wanted that one intact.

At that exact moment, 6.6 million MekArakno Battle Units attacked from the northern portion of the doomed region. Know as "Spiders", they were the most technically advanced military forces that the Xeraphians possessed. Eight feet tall, they were made of titanium and coldspace hardened steel. They carried dual .35mm Gatling Guns, armor-piercing rounds moving at 2200 feet per second. Their battle-pace was 43 mph and they cut down everything in their 6-mile wide path.

Simultaneously, 450 fighter-jets from the Coalition Forces took off from their respective carriers, followed by 170 Apache, Comanche, and AirWolf HCGSs. The idea was to squeeze the enemy land forces in between them and the Spiders. It was working....with a devastating effect.

In the first 22 minutes of the Druthin War, millions died. Hightower spoke to his Chief. "Open a channel to the Mog commander. This is Captain Thomas Hightower of the Auralinian Battle Cruiser "Sea Snake". I wish it known to the commanders of the Druthin armed forces that you have lost this war. I can stop the slaughter. Please allow me to. If you do not, I will order you all utterly destroyed. You, your wives and children, and the entire infrastructure of the nine nations that make up your region. You have thirty seconds to reply."

Nothing for ten seconds. Then, "This is Marshall Grong of Baaliim. I have conferred with the leaders of the Nine Nations. We have unanimously agreed that you should go fuck yourself. We will kill you all or we will die trying."

Hightower sighed. "Very well....have it your way."



ooc: OK everyone, feel free......

Wiping the sweat from her eyes. Alynna Valtane urged her troops forward as they patrolled the border of Auralina & Mog Durthin. Since arriving at Fire base Whiskey, While elements of her command were aggressively patrolling the border. Alynna has had her entire command tirelessly erecting defensive fortifications around the base....
Sitting in the cockpit of her Vulcan Hovertank Mecha, She watched as a pair of Hurricane Attack Choppers roared overhead... Better known as AJAC Attack Mecha, She smiled knowing that with them in the air... Their enemies don't stand a chance of sneak attacks.

“Flash! SITREP!”
The sharp cry rang in her ears
“Strawberry Six has visual on enemy forces. Grid November-Yankee-niner-one-four by Alpha-mike-seven-three-seven. Enemy force is comprised of conventional armor & infantry with limited aerospace support.
Enemy force is in an apparent defensive posture across highway Five-five, Six klicks north of your position... Say again enemy forces have breached Auralina's Border.

Alynna consulted her Tactical Data Display. The device automatically painted an enemy combined-arms force icon.

With a feral grin, She ordered her unit to attack posture... As her units split up...two smaller wedges split out on each flanks... Using the “Enveloping Flank Maneuver” She hoped to completely surround those fuckers. Hitting a switch she fired off a sitrep to base....

Is this war still open to other nations

Is this war still open to other nations


ooc: yes, but get in quickly. We plan on it lasting no more than a week (RT)

OCC I am assuming my forces made the trip over with the attacking forces.

Aboard H.D.S. Waterloo

"Range to The Coast?" Asked Admiral Harrington.
"Our lead elements are 25 miles from the coast, Sir. Whittington's carriers and most of the transport force is 100 to 150 miles further out." Replied the C&C Officer.
"Very well order the attack to commence."

With that order ballistic and cruise missiles launched from both the surface ships and attack subs. EMP tipped ballistic missiles would be the first to reach their targets. These targets were radar sites, and satellite communications stations. Cruise missiles followed the first launches. Most equipped with cluster munitions their targets were airfields and SAM sites.

From Admiral Whittington's carriers 250 SU-33Ns and 125 A-10Ns launched to strike at airfields and communications hubs.

Amra was pacing like a madman. "What the fuck is happening out there! Where's the reports? Dammit, I need to know!"

Seth and Vlad looked at each other. Vlad said, "Amra, chill out. These Mog morons are already defeated. The Auralinian commander commenced the attack over 40 minutes ago. According to our fairly accurate reports, 6.3 million of the enemy are dead, including men, women and children. Over 43% of their infrastructure is rubble. Their coastal fortifications are 100% unable to respond. The enemy naval forces are at the bottom of the sea. The Spiders continue to kill everything Druthin. They actually managed to launch a dozen ICBMs.....which were knocked out of the skies by the OBPs. The squeeze is working. Why don't you ust sit down and enjoy the show?"

But he couldn't sit still. This was his first full-fledged war and he wanted to be in on the action. "Is this the way Alaric fought? He was always right in the middle of the fight, not sitting on his ass!"

At that exact moment, two alerts blared onto the commscreens. A dirty and bloody captain faced them. "Sirs! President Danielson of Auralinia has been captured by Tsaphon himself! We fear the worst!" A split second later the captain was riddled with a hale of bullets and the connection was lost.

The second alert was just as bad, if not worse. Abbot Mencius Merton could be seen gathering papers and scrolls in a frantic manner. "Seth! Terra Civitas has been invaded! They came out of nowhere! The invaders are presently in control of approximately 15% of the country. Their commander sent a message that we're next and that if we don't surrender they will roll over this country, burning and destroying everything. They loo to be a combined force of Roman Legions, Baaliim's Hordes, and the Etruscanni Warriors. Get here FAST!"

The connection went dead. Merton was the titular ruler of The White-Robed Monks, the religious and financial center of the Empire. Terra Civitas was the nation due north, situated on the northeast coast of the region. The Kingdom of Xeraph bordered both nations to the west.

Amra took charge. "I want 20 AirWings scrambled immediately and two divisions of battle tans dispatched at once. Divert the Clones from the northern coast. Beam 'em there........we don't have two days to wait."

Seth and Vlad were on the communicators. They were in a franzy of motion, rapidly ordering the units where most needed. But both were grinning hugely.
Amra noticed. "What the fuck you two grinning at, goddammit! This 'aint nothing to laugh about!"

Vlad said, "Just like your father. Take charge and consequences be dammed! Shitfire, Amra, it's good to have you here.......it's just like the old days!"

bump...

Red Hog Flight Leader looked out the right side of his cockpit at the destruction below. "Red Hog Leader to Red Hog Flight. Peel off on my mark and make your runs on the airfield. Looks like Xeraph's attacks plus our own did not leave much for us."
With that command the 24 A-10Ns of Red Hog Flight began their runs on the enemy fighter base. Each plane began dropping 2,000 pound bombs and launching hellfire missiles at any target that had survived the earlier attacks.
"Porky 3 To Red Hog Leader. Hey Boss, Those hangers look empty. Besides a few transports and armed trainers there is nothing here. Where did everyone go?"
"Rodger that Porky 3. Hawk eye 7 did you get that. We have no enemy fighters on the ground. Do you have anything?"
"Neg. Red Hog, besides our own aircraft the sky is clear. There has been spartic anti aircraft fire but even that is lighter then expected."
"Something ain't right here folks. Hog Flight drop your loads and return home ASAP. I think we have been had."

Aboard H.D.S. Waterloo

"Sir C&C reports light resistance. By the look of it Sir it is a rout at best and a massacre at worst. We have lost no planes or ships to enemy action."
Harrington looked over the battle report. "Did The General get this?"
"Yes Sir, He said he expected more of a fight then this. He also requested that you begin shore bombardment so he can begin landing his troops ahead of schedule."
Before Harrington could answer the phone on the armrest of his chair buzzed.
"Harrington here."
"Sir, this is Sat Intell. We have gotten real time down loads from Obs. 33 over Terra Civitas, they have been attacked. Between 12% to 18% of the country is in bad guy hands and they are calling for our surrender."
"Well we know where their forces are. C&C order a recall on all aircraft. We sail for Terra Civitas now."

Red Hog Flight Leader looked out the right side of his cockpit at the destruction below. "Red Hog Leader to Red Hog Flight. Peel off on my mark and make your runs on the airfield. Looks like Xeraph's attacks plus our own did not leave much for us."
With that command the 24 A-10Ns of Red Hog Flight began their runs on the enemy fighter base. Each plane began dropping 2,000 pound bombs and launching hellfire missiles at any target that had survived the earlier attacks.
"Porky 3 To Red Hog Leader. Hey Boss, Those hangers look empty. Besides a few transports and armed trainers there is nothing here. Where did everyone go?"
"Rodger that Porky 3. Hawk eye 7 did you get that. We have no enemy fighters on the ground. Do you have anything?"
"Neg. Red Hog, besides our own aircraft the sky is clear. There has been spartic anti aircraft fire but even that is lighter then expected."
"Something ain't right here folks. Hog Flight drop your loads and return home ASAP. I think we have been had."

Aboard H.D.S. Waterloo

"Sir C&C reports light resistance. By the look of it Sir it is a rout at best and a massacre at worst. We have lost no planes or ships to enemy action."
Harrington looked over the battle report. "Did The General get this?"
"Yes Sir, He said he expected more of a fight then this. He also requested that you begin shore bombardment so he can begin landing his troops ahead of schedule."
Before Harrington could answer the phone on the armrest of his chair buzzed.
"Harrington here."
"Sir, this is Sat Intell. We have gotten real time down loads from Obs. 33 over Auralinia, they have been attacked. Between 12% to 18% of the country is in bad guy hands and they are calling for our surrender."
"Well we know where their forces are. C&C order a recall on all aircraft. We sail for Auralinia now."

ooc: as an FYI, it was Terra Civitas that was attacked, not Auralinia. TC is in the north of the region of Mercenary Lands, home region to Xeraph. I'm sure he could use air cover and naval support.

Morgan couldn't quite believe what was happening. Thirty-six hours ago his nation was at peace, secure in the knowledge that their host, Xeraph, would keep it that way. As of right now, two northern provinces had been attacked, hundreds killed, the forests burning.

And now he was sitting face to face with a nightmare. The creature that stood before him called himself Zythhdr, a commander of the Hordes of Baaliim. He stood around seven feet tall, 360-odd pounds of hellish ferocity. He was covered in blood and gore, various human body parts dangling from his battle harness. In one hand, a pistol. Which to Morgan looked very large. In the other, a rusted, bloody iron hammer.

The creature fixed his feral eyes on Morgan. His rasping, gutteral voice asked, "So, Dr. Morgan, what will it be? Cooperation with Lord Baal's will, or....this?" He held up the massive hammer.

Morgan gathered as much strength as he could before he answered. "Commander, I am not a military man. This is a nation of research and development, not war. I don't have the authority to help you. You must talk to the Xeraphian government."

"You are here....they aren't. I need an answer immediately", grunted the beast.

Morgan had to make a decision. He did so. He stood up, straightened himself up to his full 5' 6". "Commander, I'll give you the answer I believe our late Emperor would have given: go fuck yourself."

In an instant, with blinding speed, the warhammer came down hard, turning Dr. Morgan's head into a mass of blood and brains, splattering them over the walls and furniture inthe office.

Zythhdr walked over to Morgan's still twitching body, drew his knife, and cut his left hand off, attaching it to his harness. He spat on the corpse and signalled his men to follow. As they moved down the hallway, they opened fire on the lab personnel, killing them all as they passed thru the offices.

As they were about to leave the building, he motioned to the lone survivor. The trembling woman moved closer, and was roughly grabbed by two behemoths in blood-drenched leathers. "The only reason you are alive is so you can deliver a message to those pigs in Xeraph. It's a simple one: attack us, and Danielson dies. Think you can remember that?"

"Y-Y-yes, I think I can."

"Good. If you fail, I'll find you and show you how the Baaliim mate with their females....a personal demonstration."

H.D.S. Waterloo

General Zenji Orita walked in to the Waterloo's massive C&C room. "What in the Hell is going on Harrington?"
"We have been had Zenji, They attacked Terra Civitas and pretty much overwhelmed their military while we were here. Makes no sense, sacrifice your civilian population to win a small military victory. Zenji has General Kell and his forces made it to Xeraph yet? "
"Last report I saw he just landed his 3 RCTs and was linking up with our forces allready in Xeraph."
Harrington looked at the Holotable and brought up the map of Xeraph. "He can reload his troops and head to Terra C. faster then we could get there."
"lets hope he can hold the fort till we get there."

General Kell's Headquarters

"Intell reports that the Black Hats Holding about 15% of Terra Civitas, Sir"
Kell looked at his Holotable and began giving orders. " Lets begin by loading our troops back on the transports and head north. We will land in allied controlled territory and then hit these bastards hard. When Orita's Forces get here he can land behind the Black Hat lines and kick them in the ass."
"What orders for our naval forces , Sir?" Asked his Aid.
"The naval Squadron that was here will escort our transports. As for the ships we brought with us have them dash north and begin softening up these bastards. How many aircraft do we have stationed here Major Conrad?"
We have station in Xeraph one wing of Gripens and a wing of Draken ground attack aircraft. We also have a refueling wing that was acting as transports for the reconstruction."
Good have them start making attacks to let these people know we are here. that should give the Terra Civitas government some hope that they are not fighting alone."

Naval units heading north

3x Argo Class BBH
6x Tiger Class BCN
5x Tone Class CA
5x Island Class CVN
5X Essex II Class CVA
2x Dragon Class CVH
15x Dever Class DD
20x Flecher Class FC
5x SSN RO-600 Class
4x SSB I-400 Class

Amra studied the situation with a calm that was unnerving to the other commanders. "OK, we've got Tarlag on the way to cut off the Druthin naval units before they can get back to their territory. Valtane is tied up on Mog's south-western coast, kicking their asses royally. Our Clones are massed on TC's western border, some minor contact with the hostiles. What we have to do here, gentlemen, is conduct an operation that is both fast and decisive. We need the Clones back as an invasion force into Druthin. Commanders Harley and Berito I want your people to form a defensive line between Terra Civitas and The White-Robed Monks. Once established, you will move north through the central portions of TC, engaging any enemy you come across. There won't be much action until you get north of the capitol. Dig in and defend the central provinces. Keep the bastards out of the south."

He paused for a moment to study the holo-map. "General Dinofrio, yours will be the task of driving the invaders back to the northern coast where we can squash 'em between us and the Tarlagians." Dinofrio had been Alaric's third-in-command on numerous occasions. He held a particular degree of notoriety in the Xeraphian armed forces. He was one of the few who had survived the nuclear destruction of the Caves of Blood during the Kothite war so very long ago. That war had seen the destruction of three of the four vampire nations that called Mercenary Lands home. Vhammpyr was all that was left, now a mighty nation in it's own right. Because of Alaric's steadfast support of and defense of the vampires, they had sworn eternal allegiance to the Xeraphian Emperors. For the first and only time in history, Prince Teii of Vhammpyr had provided Alaric with a pair of the dreaded Brujah as personal guards, vampires who with a simple touch would send an enemy screaming into hell, blood pouring from every opening of their bodies.

Dinofrio eyed Amra, studying his every move. "Excuse me, sir. Might I inquire just who the hell you are?" The room fell silent as the two stared at each other.

"My name, General, is Amra. Amra Tan'it. You served my father. I now ask you to serve me as you did him."

Vampires didn't surprise easily. But Dinofrio gaped for a second, then bent his knee to Amra. "Forgive me, my Lord. I had absolutely no idea. My sword is yours."

Amra strode across the room. "Forget that kneeling shit, General. Get up and get going. You got some assholes to kill." He was smiling broadly at Dinofrio, who looked up and returned the grin. He rose up and clasped the proffered hand of the young Emperor-to-be. "Your father couldn't have answered any better. I am pleased. Does Prince Teii know?"

"What doesn't Prince Teii know, General? Now enough chit-chat. Go do your job."

Dinofrio stepped back and saluted Amra. "Aye, my Lord. On my way."

Orland's Keep, Grand Duchy of Tarlag

Duke Ozgood listened to the reports coming in from his field commanders. He looked at a large black bag he had placed in the corner this morning.
"Dayron just give it to me straight and quit beating around the bush."
"Of course Sir, The Task force sent by General Kell to engage the Durthin Fleet engaged the enemy and is now falling back in good order."
Looking at the bag once more Ozgood spoke up. "Again cut to the chase Admiral."
"We have caused heavy damage to the Durthin transports and combat ships in Terra Civitas waters. We estimate between 50% to 60% damaged or destroyed in their transport Fleet and 45% to their combat ships. We however have lost about 40% of our attacking ships."
" Is General Kell still going to make his landing as planned?"
General Gayland Cox spoke up. "Yes he is, using our attack as cover he is moving his forces in. General Kell should be making his landings in the next 72 hours."
The Duke gets up and goes over to the bag picks it up and walks with it back to his desk. "What of our allies?"
"They are moving troops in and seem to be getting ready to counter attack."
"Will Harrington's forces be there in time to help?"
General cox looked at his computer and then replied. "Unknown Sir, quite frankly our coordination in this war has been poor. Besides Kell none of our Commanders seem to be having much to do with Xeraph or Auralinia's high command."
"This need to change now gentlemen. Gayland prep on of those new Hortan B-1500 Hyper-Sonic bombers for departure. I am going to send someone who has experience with our allies and has authority to get this war over ASAP."
Dayron Smiled as he looked at the bag on the Duke's desk "Who do you plan to send if I did not know."
"Me of course." With that Ozgood stood up and grabbed the bag. I expect to leave in one hour Gentleman.

With Rick Danielson a prisoner of Tsaphon, General Ted Stewart was in charge of Auralinia. He was aware of Tsaphon's reputation and didn't doubt for a moment that the sorceror would attempt the improbable if given a chance. Stewart was told that if Tsaphon wanted to attack Auralinia he'd have to go through most of the Xeraphian Empire and one hell of a lot of Mandalore Prime's forces to do so. Nonetheless, Stewart prepared for the improbable.

It was a good thiing he did. From literally out of nowhere, 7500 enemy units appeared on the hills overlooking a medium-size village ust a few miles from the capitol. Stewart's preparation was instrumental in averting a slaughter, but there were significant losses as the enemy attacked the village. Over 300 Auralinians died in the first five minutes of fighting to the enemy's half-dozen. It was soon seen why the fighting was so lop-sided: five-hundred of the enemy units were werewolves, huge creatures 10-12 feet tall, grey and brown mottled fur drenched in blood firing their auto-rifles with one hand and slashing at the village militia with their curved scimitars with the other. The Wolven, as they were called by most of the civilized world, paused their fighting when they saw that there wasn't anyone to fight. They looked around, growling deep in their throats.

They never saw nor heard their death coming. From behind them, they heard their compatriots yelling and screaming, but no shots fired. Coming out of the large wooded area approximately 100 yards in front of them were a half-dozen people on horseback. One pointed in their direction while speaking into a comm-device. A second later, one of the Wolven noticed that the heads of several of his companions were rolling on the ground and looked up at the carnage that was happening behind him.

The entire body of invaders had been killed, their headless bodies lying on the now-bloody field outside the village. The werewolf, Cvthuhs by name, saw a low-lying object about 100 yards behind the now-dead invaders. It was about 600 feet in diameter hovering 12 feet off the ground, an almost soundless humming coming from it.

Cvthuhs stared at the object for a minute before he realized that he was the only one left alive. He lifted his grisly head and howled until he was hoarse. A hologram appeared in front of him. It was a full-size proection of Amra, the Xeraphian emperor-to-be. "You, look at me. I will tell you this only once. Give a message to Tsaphon. Very simply put if he harms Danielson in any way, I will kill him with my own two hands."

The wolf pointed at the spaceship. "What is?", he growled.

From behind him came the answer. "That, my hairy friend, is the Altha-oja Tracker-Fighter, series six-0-eight. There are twelve more headed for each nation in the coalition. They can kill from a distance of 200 miles with a surgical precision you couldn't comprehend." The Wolven turned with a snarl and leaped at the speaker. In a nano-second, both of his arms were sliced from his body, an inhuman howl emanating from his mouth.

"That's how we're sending you to your master. Tell him you stood in the presence of Abbot Merton. Tell him I'll kill him if Amra doesn't beat me to it." He tapped his commpin. "One to beam to Paix-Lamort. Put him right in Tsaphon's lap."

A fiery blue oval appeared and the werewolf disappeared from sight, still howling in his pain. A second later he crashed into the wizard's dinner table as Tsaphon was entertaining a group of scantily-clad witches and pagan priestesses. They screamed as the Wolven's bloody body slid off of the table and onto the floor. He mumbled Amra's message and grew still. Tsaphon stood stock-still, fury etched in his face. "Very well, my young fool. We'll see who kills who......."

As the Hovertank coasted to a stop it's pilot stood & carefully dismounted making sure to avoid the torn up jagged edges of it's armor... Jumping the last meter the pilot doffed her helmet & with a weary grunt motioned for her Tech team to assess her damages & affix repair & reload... Glancing at the row of damaged hover tanks.. Alynna wearily wiped the sweat encrusted grim of several hard days of battle... Walking towards to command bunker She thought back at the tenacity of the Druthinian Forces... Though sadly outclassed...They still died with honor

The last several weeks of this campaign, Alynna had exploited the one maxim stressed at the Academy an able commander should avoid

She divided her forces in the face of the enemy & begin striking critical targets of opportunity across a broad front... Using her forces extreme mobility had thrown the Druthinian forces into disarray

Her strategy allowed her to sweep out & begin hit & run attacks against a disorganized foe... albeit one who fought with skill even when outnumbered
Even now her battle lines were now stretched across a good portion of Southern Mog Druthin

Last week was a good one... Her advance recon units had after patrolling their eastern flank brought in a number of refugees & several people of extreme importance...

2 of the refugees & one POW were isolated & shipped back to Mandalore Prime for debriefing... The Refugees were none other then Tsaphon's Wife & young son & the POW was his Eldest son.. An officer captured during one of the earlier battles

Even though the boy was wounded... He still suffered injuries which caused two of his limbs to be amputated after he ejected from his craft. Apparently his canopy didn't completely blow away
the end result was he lost his left arm & leg

Canedian army decided we need to help ending this.

"General?
Yes soldier.
Everybody is ready to drop at the borders of Auralinia sir.
Good soldier, i want 2000 of the best man, ready to go in a hour.
Yes general..."



1 hour later:
"Soldiers! I want you all, to fight against Auralinia.
We need to help ending this, but i got something to do for you.
When you arrive, search for a defencive spot.
Build a camp there, and build defences. Take some Thunder-2 artillery and set it up at the borders of the camp. We from here on, will have V2's ready to be fired.
If we give you a massage, for fleeing, go, leave the camp there, only take home the artillery and tanks."


3 hours later:
"Alright soldiers! Called a major of the army.
We will be at land soon, everybody remember the orders?
Yes sir! Building a camp and seting up defences.
Yes soldier."

1 hour later:
"Soldiers, it wont take longer than 2 hours to reach Auralinia's land."

Central Airfield, Tarlag

Ozgood left his limo heading towards the parked Bomber that would take him to Xeraph. he was followed by a half dozen DEST Commandos who were acting as his bodyguards. As the group approached the the waiting plane an old woman followed by four huge cloaked figures intercepted them.
"Duke Ozgood where in the Hell do you think you are going?" The old Woman said with a disapproving look on her face.
"Lady Moonshadow, I am going to take charge of our forces and make an end to this mess."
"Right, and you are running off again putting yourself in danger just to try and live up to your Father's legacy. You are ten times the ruler he was. You don't have to try and prove your as good a warrior also. You have a wife and children who need you let a lone a nation who looks up to you."
Ozgood tool a deep breath and looked at to senior Paladin of Ironhold. "Leenara, the leaders of our allies have a tradition of leading from the front, am I to stay safe at home while they put their lives on the line. While our own troops do the same. No for once you will not bully me I am going and I will bring the fight to these Bastards. I plan to kick them back to what ever God forsaken holes they crawled out of."
" Ozgood look where that kind of thinking got Alric. You are more stubborn then your Father. If you are going to go at least take my friends with you if you meet any of the supernatural badness that is out there these guys can protect you."
"Hello Mr. Grand Duke, We go on airplane now?"
"You have got to be kidding, not him, Not the Sheik."
"SHEIK WANT TO GO ON AIRPLANE!!"
Lady Moonshadow smiled and looked up at her Large friend. "Sheik get to go on airplane. So Ozgood are you going to tell a Troll who can bench press a bus and his three best friends that they can't go?"
"Fine I know when I am beat. Sheik you can come."
"SHEIK WANT WINDOW SEAT!"

Canedian army decided we need to help ending this.

"General?
Yes soldier.
Everybody is ready to drop at the borders of Auralinia sir.
Good soldier, i want 2000 of the best man, ready to go in a hour.
Yes general..."



1 hour later:
"Soldiers! I want you all, to fight against Auralinia.
We need to help ending this, but i got something to do for you.
When you arrive, search for a defencive spot.
Build a camp there, and build defences. Take some Thunder-2 artillery and set it up at the borders of the camp. We from here on, will have V2's ready to be fired.
If we give you a massage, for fleeing, go, leave the camp there, only take home the artillery and tanks."


3 hours later:
"Alright soldiers! Called a major of the army.
We will be at land soon, everybody remember the orders?
Yes sir! Building a camp and seting up defences.
Yes soldier."

1 hour later:
"Soldiers, it wont take longer than 2 hours to reach Auralinia's land."


ooc: Just so I'm clear about your intentions, are you fighting AGAINST me or WITH me?

I am fighting against you.

"Alright you pieces of shit! called the major.
We are at land! Go and build up the defences!"

1 hour later:
"Major! There is a massage from the general!
good soldier, give it. The major took it and read:
Like i sad, V2's will be ready to go. We got a production of 3000, already started when we sold 1000 at the Canedian shop, those arent done yet, but there are 123 done now.
100 are ready to be fired. 50 will be fired at the capital of Auralinia. Well, if we fire them, 50 will go on the capital. I want you to build up defences. There will be a new delivery of 160mm Mortal M1943's. 100 A-10 Thunderbolt II will be sended also.
Ceep it going major"

Hrothgar Heggn-Druth was still considering a response to Tsaphon's order when a messenger burst into his tent. "My Chieften, our region has been invaded. Armored personnel carriers and battle tanks are on the southernmost coastal areas and moving rapidly inland."

"Hmmf...who are they?"

"Mandalore Prime, m'lord."

"How far are they from us?"

"At the rate theyr'e moving they'll at our borders in less than 36 hours."

"Thirty-six hours. What do my Generals say?"

The tent flap parted and three heavily muscled soldiers entered. "Your Generals say 'FIGHT!' Do not back down! We Allegmanii have never in our history lost a war."

Hrothgar eyed him coldly. This blowhard was Gunnar Therelsonn, one of the many hereditary generals in this land. "We've never fought the likes of Mandalore Prime, not to mention Auralinia, Tarlag or Xeraph. We're at least a hundred years behind the technology they command. We'll be slaughtered."

Therelsonn stared. "Then what do YOU suggest, m'lord?" There was little love lost between the two.

The Allegmannii Chieften jumped up. "I suggest you get the fuck outta here and let me think. I have a message from Tsaphon himself requesting we rescue his son and one of his numerous wives from Mandalore's forces. How the fuck we're gonna do that is beyond me, but the Wizard is not one to be ignored."

"Might I suggest, m'lord, a lightning strike against one of their units where we can capture one or more of their officers and trade them off."

"Exactly what I was thinking, Gunnar. Come up with a plan.....quickly. Tsaphon is growing impatient."

"Aye, m'lord."

ooc: Canedian Army, check your TG b4 you post any more........

General Morgan Kell rode in the commanders position of a LY3 Warhound of the 14th RCT. His units were driving deep into Terra Civitas.
"Sir, Second Regiment reports contact with Durthin units near Bridge 146."
"Order air support to napham and cluster bomb the far side of the bridge then have the Second press forward."
"Sir, if we go too much farther we may be over extending our lines." Morgan smiled and turned to his aid sitting in the jump seat next to him in the tanks massive turret. "We have to keep these bastards on the run. As long as we have ammo, fuel and air support we keep kicking ASS is that clear."
"Clear Sir."
"Besides, Harrington's fleet will be arriving soon with over 300,000 combat troops. We should over whelm these people and end this before our supplies get too bad."

I decided to join Auralinia.

"Soldier! Asked the major.
Yes sir?
How is the building of the defences go?
Good sir!
Good, and bring the general this massage, use the phone or a computer, he is very far away now, but we need to contact him.
Yes sir! Sad the soldier, and he took the letter from the major.

Hallo! sad the soldier.
Yes, what you want?
The major asked me to bring this, so you can send it to the general.
O alright than."


At the Canedian army base:
"General!
Yes?
there is a massage!
Tell me.
From the majo, he writes:
General, as you sad, we now offer our surveses to Auralinia.
Chance the V2 dairection.
Point it to the enemy, and 1 on our own base.
Maybe they will attack, than you can blow us up, and every attacking man.
Point 1 on the base, and 5 around it."

I decided to join Auralinia.

"Soldier! Asked the major.
Yes sir?
How is the building of the defences go?
Good sir!
Good, and bring the general this massage, use the phone or a computer, he is very far away now, but we need to contact him.
Yes sir! Sad the soldier, and he took the letter from the major.

Hallo! sad the soldier.
Yes, what you want?
The major asked me to bring this, so you can send it to the general.
O alright than."


At the Canedian army base:
"General!
Yes?
there is a massage!
Tell me.
From the majo, he writes:
General, as you sad, we now offer our surveses to Auralinia.
Chance the V2 dairection.
Point it to the enemy, and 1 on our own base.
Maybe they will attack, than you can blow us up, and every attacking man.
Point 1 on the base, and 5 around it."

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh What?:confused:

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh What?:confused:

A major at Auralinia asked how the defences go, and he sended a massage to the hokme base, than you see that the general gets the massage and reads it.

Standing at a huge hover tank a knot of men milled about as discussing the various icons that shifted erratically, As multiple tech scrambled about entering information. When the flaps of the tent burst open

“LEGATUS"...*gasp...

A muscular man dressed in the garb of a Armored Commander disentangled himself from the group

“At Ease Soldier... What is it?”

“Praetor Valtane's Unit has returned...”

Phelan stood there perplexed...”And?”

“Her unit was returning from her patrol... When it was ambushed by an as yet unknown force... Her unit took massive damage before they could disengage... Current estimates are 68% of the unit lost...Including the Praetor's command unit... Survivor's claim the enemy was a headhunter unit... They knew which personnel to target... Several troopers also saw the Praetor & a number of men disappear into the underbrush... “

after several long seconds of shock... Phelan cursed “FUCK!!!”

spinning around... Phelan began to rapidly bark orders to the techs who exploded into activity...
outside the base sirens began wailing as the loudspeakers began issuing forth commands to the multitude of personnel

Meanwhile 80 km away... Alynna & 4 of the 5 surviving members of her unit huddled in a small cave they had taken as a base... laying there they attended to any wounds they received as the 5th trooper entered the cave... “Praetor... The enemy has rounded up all survivors & has begin interrogating them”

“Are you sure”

“Yes SIR... I got to within 15 feet of Prefect Davis of the 3rd Recon Binary... He said there brutally questioning all the survivors & then killing all non-comm's... Apparently there sequestering all the Officer's, What few who survived are taken North... I managed to slip the Prefect my holdout pistol before slipping back to an over watch position... And watched as they drug the Prefect into their command area... I heard shouting then gunfire from the tent... Davis came out firing at any enemy soldiers... Manged to take out 6 of the bastards before they killed him.”

“Damn” Alynna thought “Ok...There it is then... We can only assume we are on our own... 1st things first, We need supplies... Thompson, Levis you two are in charge of rounding up any troopers who may have survived & are out there”

“Riley, you & Harris go & salvage any weapons from the battle scene, Collect any Med packs also”,

“Johnson, That leaves me & you as the only ones left, We get to scout that camp again... We gonna go Guerrilla on them fucker's”, “Alright men let's move it”

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh What?:confused:


ooc: LMAOROFL!!!

Some Where over Xeraph.

"Xeraph Air Traffic Control, this is Flight Leader Haversham of The Tarlagian Defense Force. Requesting landing instructions For a VIP wishing to meet with your High Command. This is a gold priority request, repeat this is a gold priority request."
Ozgood kept himself busy in the passenger carrier rigged in the hyper-sonic bombers bomb bay going over the battle reports on his lap top. "Damn Harrington, he should have kept with the plan and supported the Mandalorians instead of heading to Terra C. Now they are fighting with no support against the whole region."
Major Kranst the head of the Duke's personal DEST team looked over at the computer and replied. "Harrington did what he thought best Sir. perhaps we should send additional; forces to help."
Ozgood looked around the crowed compartment then responded. "We could deploy those two airborne RCTs we keep on stand by. They are light, fast moving and hard hitting."
"Or we could make a fast detour and drop the Sheik and his friends off."
Smiling Ozgood looked at the four trolls crowed in one end of the compartment. "No, that would be cruel and unusual punishment. Besides they have been surprisingly quite this trip. They all just sit there looking at the Vid. window eating peanuts."
"Yes Sir, I think they will stay that why till we run out of nuts."
"SHEIK WANT MORE NUTS NOW!"
"Shit, Captain get this plane down fast!"

ooc: LMAOROFL!!!


:headbang::eek:

Jezebel was furious. "Where's that goddam sorceror? He got us into this fucking mess and now we're surrounded! Fucking Romans surrendered, the Baaliim are all but decimated, and all the rest except for Paix and the Allegmanii have turned-tail and run! You! What's the current situation?"

The aide was trembling visibly as he stammered out the latest report. He was acutely aware of the now decomposing bodies of the former heads of the Ssyn Council slaughtered by Jezebel. "My lady, our nation is completely occupied except for this city. The forces of Mandalore Prime, Tarlag, Auralinia and Xeraph have stretched a cordon around Ssyn and Olde Town. Nothing's getting in or out. We have approximately 22,000 defensive units within the walls, about a quarter of them wounded. Food and water are getting scarce. Word from the commanders is that Amra wants the city captured intact."

Jezebel stood shaking with fury. With a scream that froze the blood in their veins, she drew her sword and drove it deep into the aide's bowels, ripping the blade upward into the man's chest. He gave a short, gurgling yelp and saw his intestines splatter onto the floor before he died in acute agony.

Anger somewhat subdued, Jezebel looked around and pointed the bloody sword at the commscreen. "I want someone from the enemy camp contacted. They are to provide me with terms of surrender. I've seen enough of my people die."

Commander Dayther of the 201st Mountain Brigade punched in the code for an open channel. "Attention occupying forces. I am Handar Dayther, acting commander of the Druthin forces in Ssyn. Send us your terms of surrender. We will lay down our arms if you will agree to cease hostilities."

Nothing for a full ten minutes. Dayther was about to repeat the message when a voice came over the commscreen. "Where is the woman called Jezebel?"

Dayster replied. "To whom am I speaking?"

"My name is Amra Tan'it. Where's the woman?"

Dayster made a slashing motion across his throat and the channel was muted. "M'lady, it's the Xeraphian leader Tsaphon is after. What say you?"

She said, "Open the channel. M'lord Amra, I am Jezebel Baal-Pezor. What is it you want of me?"

A chuckle greeted her question. "What I want of you is your fucking body cut up into a dozen pieces and your fucking head on a pike on top of the walls of my capitol in Ravennii. That's my terms for not leveling your putrid excuse of a city. If you refuse, I'll get yu anyway, but not before you witness the crucifixion of all of the military and civilian personnel in that city. If you are a true leader, you will capitulate. You have 60 seconds. Don't waste them with further talk."

She hesitated only a moment. "Come and get me, you piece of shit....."

Some Where over Xeraph.

"Xeraph Air Traffic Control, this is Flight Leader Haversham of The Tarlagian Defense Force. Requesting landing instructions For a VIP wishing to meet with your High Command. This is a gold priority request, repeat this is a gold priority request."
Ozgood kept himself busy in the passenger carrier rigged in the hyper-sonic bombers bomb bay going over the battle reports on his lap top. "Damn Harrington, he should have kept with the plan and supported the Mandalorians instead of heading to Terra C. Now they are fighting with no support against the whole region."
Major Kranst the head of the Duke's personal DEST team looked over at the computer and replied. "Harrington did what he thought best Sir. perhaps we should send additional; forces to help."
Ozgood looked around the crowed compartment then responded. "We could deploy those two airborne RCTs we keep on stand by. They are light, fast moving and hard hitting."
"Or we could make a fast detour and drop the Sheik and his friends off."
Smiling Ozgood looked at the four trolls crowed in one end of the compartment. "No, that would be cruel and unusual punishment. Besides they have been surprisingly quite this trip. They all just sit there looking at the Vid. window eating peanuts."
"Yes Sir, I think they will stay that why till we run out of nuts."
"SHEIK WANT MORE NUTS NOW!"
"Shit, Captain get this plane down fast!"

Commander Haversham, we have received your request and need to inform you that all Xeraphian leadership is in various areas of Mog Druthin directing the final mop-up of enemy forces. If you wish, we canTransBeam your reps to either the Regents coordinates or directly to High General Amra's HQ. Your flight is now cleared for landing in Ravennii."

Terra Civitas

General Kell's aid approached him as he was eating lunch with the crew of the tank he had been riding in.
"Sir, a report just came in enemy units are surrendering on mass. any unit not surrendering is trying to make it to the coast to their surviving transports. What are your orders General?"
Kell tossed the piece of chicken he was eating down on the plate and thought for a moment. "Damn Bastards, This is the first fresh food I have had in a week. Order our units to accept surrenders. Cull out any of their officers and have them held for war trials. Announce any unit not surrendering in the next hour will be exterminated to the last man. As for their naval units contact Harrington and give him the same instructions."

Ravennii

"Haversham here, Please have the party Trans beamed directly to the Regents as soon as we land. Also please have 20 pounds of peanuts ready upon our landing.

One second the Duke was in his jet, the next he was materializing in a bunker smack dab in the center of what appeared to be a battle. He looked around for a few seconds before he recognized Lord Sethanis of Black Shadows. He was peering out of a slit in the concrete walls of the bunker, a pair of binocs dangling from his neck.

Seth glanced around and grinned broadly. "M'lord Duke! Good to see you again. Although it seems that whenever we do meet there's some kind of fighting going on. Hang on and I'll get Vlad and John here."

He tapped his commpin, spoke a few words, and then stepped back. In a few seconds the familiar blue oval of the TransBeam appeared and out of it stepped Prince Vlad of The Grey Phoenix and Prince John Strickland, High Commander of the Xeraphian Forces. The three of them together formed the Regent's Council, currently the governing entity of The Barbaric Empire of Xeraph. That was about to change, and they wanted Ozgood and a couple of others to hear about it from them first.

Prince John gave a short bow. "Greetings, old friend. We are very glad your'e here. We have some exciting news. Vlad, would you care to do the honors?"

Vlad smiled. "Yes of course. But we forget our manners. M'lord Duke, would you care for some Virellian Brandy? It's about 600 years old and we just received it from Neo-Gaia out in the Typhon Expanse. I understand it's excellent......"

OCC just heading off to work will post a response here tonight.

Duke Ozgood hated being beamed, it always gave him a bad taste in his mouth. However He smiled and looked around then responded. "It is good to see you both again. We should sometime meet under better cercomestances then battle. Before you give me your news I would suggest you beam the others of my party here. The Sheik has the mental capacity of a 5 year old but he could give even Vlad here a run for his money in the combat department. I really don't want him ripping up Ravennii Airport looking for me."
Taking a drink of the brandy he gave an even bigger smile. "My that is good. remind me after this battle ends to share with you both some Ironlord Stout To repay you for this excellent drink. Now what news do you have?"

The lone figure stepped thru the door of the Mandoan War room... Dubbed “Camelot Command”
Standing there for several seconds unnoticed the hectic pace of the room... Commands being issued &/or entered into a multitude of data ports situated around the room... Stepping he reached out & gently placed his hand on Jaden's shoulder & asked “Any word on your sister Alynna?”

Jaden looked back, Smiled & gave his father a hug & said “No, The SAR teams have so far come up empty-handed.”

“Last report was of her command accepting the surrender of about 330,000 enemy troops, Seems they just started giving up...” “The Fire base has literally become an Internment camp overnight... Our logistics is scrambling to send foodstuff & medicines there”...”Maybe we can get some of the allies to send help???”

Alejandro laughed “I wonder what would make them do that?”
“Anyways... I've gotten word from John, He's asking for us to meet, So I came down here to get you for the transport...”

Jaden looked up... “Transport or Trans beam?”... Damn I hate that fucking trans beam... always makes me wanna piss”.... “Ok

Moving off to a clear area he motioned for one of his techs to signal Xeraph to begin transport...

Elsewhere... Alynna lay prone in the grass with a pair of binoculars looking north, When her spotter tapped her shoulder..”One o'clock 15 degrees down” He whispered...

Traversing her binoculars she focused on some docks with open warehouses beyond...”I see'em... Any idea who they are???...”

“Uhhh hulking big fucker is... General Hrozgr of Orcathau The medium built one on the left is General Lucius Maximus of the United Roman Legions... The other 3 must be staff?”

Glancing up Alynna smiled... “I feel like going for a turkey shoot... How good are your sharpshooting skills?”

“Missed my Marksman badge by 2 points, Thats why I'm spotting” He grinned

“Good enough, Unpack the other Minolta 9000... And set it up... Were gonna get both them fuckers...”

Within moments both rifles were setup & pointed downrange... seconds later twin pafffs were heard...

Standing in the Xeraphian Command Bunker. Jaden leaned on the massive holo-tank & watched the shifting icons intently.
Glancing across the table Jaden watched as his father Alejandro laugh heartily from some anecdote that “John” had quipped.

Suddenly a most hideous odor wafted about... Catching Jaden in the process of a deep pull on his drink causing him to sputter & gasp & making his eyes water.

Looking about he asked “Who the fuck Shit themselves & why does it smell like peanuts???”

Stepping out from a corner a brutish creature emerged with a sheepish grin splitting his face & said in broken english “Sheik make stinky butt noise”

At which Duke Ozgood snorted his Brandy out his nose, Coughing violently as the rest of the leaders began laughing in between fits of eye watering gasps for air.
Looking back at the table he noticed the flanking units he had sent where nearing their destination..
Reaching down he tapped the communication toggle for a direct link to his troops & murmured “Forge Ahead”.
The icons immediately begin shifting as the Mandoan lines surged ahead & beyond the Druthin battlelines, Where they wheeled around & slammed into the enemy rear.

"Good God, I must remember to get some air freshener when this Troll is around. Prince John before we get too far into this I want to let you all know I have drop ships incoming with special assault troops to aid in taking the city. I have dispatched several Regiments of Airborne troops supported by Werewolf assault tanks."

Vlad shook the hands of the newly-arrived leaders of Mandalore Prime and Tarlag. "Welcome, gentlemen. M'lord Duke, as this is not only an auspicious moment for the five of us but one of top secret info I'd prefer not to have anyone else here right now. However, I have information that a couple of sharpshooters are about to take out some enemy leaders, might I suggest they go and play with the soon-to-be dearly departed's remains?" He strode over to a raised dais on which a simple chair stood empty.

Vlad continued. "Friends, you may or may not have heard rumors about a certain young man who has been seen in several of the various battles in the past few weeks. His current title...and function...is High General of the Imperial Forces of the Barbaric Empire of Xeraph." He paused, drew a breath, and went on.

"M'lord Duke Ozgood, M'lord Archon Jaden Valtane, I wish to present to you a young man.........soldier, warrior, Duke of Scandinvan, Lord Protector of the Grand Duchy of Elyria-Lorrain, King of Xeraph, heir to the Lion Throne of the Xeraphian Empire, son of your old friend Alaric dead these twenty-three years. M'lords.....His Royal Highness, Amra Tan'it, Imperator Rex Xeraphus."

At that moment, two Shadow Guards pulled open the twin doors and in walked the son of Alaric Tan'it.

He was the spitting image of his father. Just under seven feet tall, his long black hair was tied back, his black chin-beard and piercing ice-blue eyes framing a square, rugged face full of obvious intelligence. He was clad in the traditional Xeraphian battleharness which was overlaid with the familiar dark-grey chainmail tunic. His black leather pants were tucked into knee-high boots, his twin Glock 9mm pistols under each arm, his katana in his right hand, unscabbarded.

He paused and looked around the room, grinned, then spoke. "Well, m'lords. Has Vlad done an adequate job of making me sound like the high-and-mighty asshole that he wants everyone to kow-tow to?"

"My Lord, it is a pleasure to meet you. I knew your Father well and I was glad to call him friend as I hope to do with you. Alric was a great man and he is sorely missed by the people of Tarlag and by myself. If you are half the man he was then you will make a fine ruler. However I think by your look, you have the potential to be even more then he was."

Grand Duke Ozgood looked around the room for a moment into the faces of the men assembled. he then hefted the black bag he had carried all the way from his office back home and placed it on a near by table then he opened it. While he removed the contents of the bag. First the G-36-6.5 rifle, then the Desert Eagle .357 in custom holster, next the short heavy cutlass, and finally the Dragon Scale armor he spoke after he emptied of its deadly contents. "Alric always claimed to be a simple soldier who went with his troops into the thick of battle, much the same as my Father and older Brother. Your Highness, my drop ships loaded with assault troops should be landing now. I all so have a DEST team and four angry Trolls and of course myself. I place these forces at your service for this battle. Now gentlemen lets go kick some ass."

Amra peered closely at Ozgood. "So. You are the Duke of Tarlag I heard tales of as I sat around the camp fires while still a youth. My father placed much trust in you and your people, especially the one called Moonshadow. Rest assured, I will do my utmost to keep your faith inthe Empire solid and unblemished." He paused, then went on.

"I have a request of you, m'lord. As soon as this little fight is over, my advisors tell me that there is going to be a coronation. I've little patience for such frivolity, but they say it's necessary for the citizens of the Empire to have a bit of royal festivity every now and then. I'd be honored to have you in my retinue during the procession to our Temple in Ravennii. You'll be in the company of the rulers of the Imperial nations and a couple of others. What say you, m'lord Duke?"

Ozgood put on a pair of shooters glasses and checked the laser sights on his weapons before he answered. "Your Highness I would be happy to attend this event. In fact I will be sure to have Lady Moonshadow and the rest of the senior Knights of Ironhold in attendance. Lady Moonshadow had the greatest respect for your Father and I am sure she would want to attend."

Ozgood then loaded a red tip ed grenade in the under barrel launcher of the
G-36-6.5. "I must say your Highness, I have always considered The Empire to be one of Tarlags closest allies. I hope under your rule that will continue."
Making sure all of his weapons were on safe Ozgood clossed the bag then turned back towards Amra. "My own Father was not the greatest ruler but my people consider him one of our finest warriors. He gave me a bit of advice once that I will pass on it was really one of the only intelligent things the old bastard said."

"The Old Man said. "Allways remember keep good advisers around you. And listen to what they say."
Ozgood then turned to the others "This new ruler will need men he can trust and nothing builds trust like shareing the battle feild. From what I hear some bitch needs to die I say we go and make it happen."

Ozgood put on a pair of shooters glasses and checked the laser sights on his weapons before he answered. "Your Highness I would be happy to attend this event. In fact I will be sure to have Lady Moonshadow and the rest of the senior Knights of Ironhold in attendance. Lady Moonshadow had the greatest respect for your Father and I am sure she would want to attend."

Ozgood then loaded a red tip ed grenade in the under barrel launcher of the
G-36-6.5. "I must say your Highness, I have always considered The Empire to be one of Tarlags closest allies. I hope under your rule that will continue."
Making sure all of his weapons were on safe Ozgood clossed the bag then turned back towards Amra. "My own Father was not the greatest ruler but my people consider him one of our finest warriors. He gave me a bit of advice once that I will pass on it was really one of the only intelligent things the old bastard said."

"The Old Man said. "Allways remember keep good advisers around you. And listen to what they say."
Ozgood then turned to the others "This new ruler will need men he can trust and nothing builds trust like shareing the battle feild. From what I hear some bitch needs to die I say we go and make it happen."


Amra laughed. "Of course you mean Jezebel. I was going to have her drawn and quartered, but I have other plans for her. It's Tsaphon we're going after." He punched in some coordinates on the commscreen. "Seth, Vlad, John, your'e with me and the Duke. Abbot Merton and Sybele will meet up with us."

Vlad stared. "Sybele? What has Aeternu to do with this? She hasn't been outside of The Priory in decades."

"You forget who she is, Vlad. She's been around a very long time and she has....ways....to accomplish what it would take us months to do. Come, I'll explain on the way."

"Where are we going", asked Seth.

"To Ssyn...where else..........?"

The AirWolf HCGS hovered over the city of Ssyn for a few minutes, all aboard taking in the scene which was anything but beneficial to the enemy.

The city was completely surrounded on three sides by Auralinian armor and the Spiders, the Mandalorian and Tarlagian armies behind them, and Xeraph's Clone Troopers and Royal Marines forming a rear guard several miles to the north. A combination of all four of the allies' naval forces sat out in the enormous Scalding Bay, turrets pointed at the doomed city.

"Alright, captain, take us down. Right there, just outside the walls of Ssyn."

Amra watched as the huge gunship drew closer to the gates of the city. "You'd think people would realize when theyr'e beaten", he said, half to himself.

As soon as the AirWolf landed, the passengers umped off, one by one. They were greeted by Abbot Merton, who was curiously dressed. "Welcome, m'lords. I trust you had a good flight?"

"Cut the shit, Merton. Where's Sybele?" said Amra.

'Just like his father', thought Merton. "She's ready when you are, m'lord. And by the way, Tsaphon's inside and he knows we're here. Haven't heard a peep out of him since Sybele appeared to him in his chambers last night. We've apparently found something, or rather someone, that Tsaphon fears."

Sybele Tantasa, Prioress of Aeternu, was something of an enigma. She was of the line of Tanith, as Alaric had been and Amra was, but she had gotten included in a roundabout way.

It was well-known that Alaric had the blood of the Vampyr and Lycan running through his veins, but that was in an ancestral way. No fangs, no abnormal amount of coarse hair, nothing to denote him as anything but an ordinary human.

Then there was Sybele. Born of a line of the dynasty that ran parallel to Alaric's strain. Until today, no one outside of Aeternu had seen her for over 800 years.

There were the usual myths and legends that tend to spring up around heroic figures. With Sybele, most of them were true.

She was rumored to be among the most beautiful women who had ever existed. Tall, lithe, well-built, raven tresses shot through with red streaks, her eyes those of a cat, unblinking, as a cat would size up it's prey.

One of the more true myths about her was that she was also descended from the Vampyr-Kings of ancient Acheron, that horrible, evil empire that had ruled most of the world thousands of years ago. Those Kings were also sorcerors of the highest degrees, mages whose malevolence and cruelty were second to none. Sybele's family was of those who had had the nerve to stand against these monstrous wizards, and who had fled the land when they were tied to the assassination of several of the Acheronian rulers.

Enter Tanith, soon-to-be King of what would become the legendary island of Atlantis. He gave the fugitives sanctuary in the caves beneath the island-continent, and as is so often with women who involve themselves with the men of the Tanith Dynasty, her distant ancestor of the same name found herself with child, and so became the Matriarch of the Tantasas'.

And now, here was that Matriarch's last descendant, ready once again to do battle with the descendants of that evil empire, Acheron.

The dusty, wind-blown camp 100 feet from the walls of Ssyn suddenly became calm. No one stirred, all activity stopped. Not a bird flew over head, not a dog barked. All stood stock still, not seeing anything but sensing that something...someone...was approaching. The noonday sun seemed to shrink upon itself, throwing a little less light Terra's way. The bay, ever restless, became as glass, not a wavelet to be seen or heard.

The deathly silence was abruptly broken by an ear-drum shattering clap of thunder which was followed by a blinding bolt of lightining. As the soldiers stuck their fingers in their ears to try and pry the sudden deafness out of them, they heard a most unusual voice.

The soft, sibilant hiss, as if a serpent were capable of human speech, penetrated the human's deafness. It flowed past their ears down into their very souls, freezing them in their tracks. That Voice grabbed them, heart, mind, and body with a searing heat so cold that the very air in their lungs threatened to burst with the effort of breathing.

The Prioress of Aeternu had arrived, standing in all her sorcerous majesty atop the walls of Ssyn.

"What do the Lords of this place desire of me?", she asked in that unearthly Voice. "What event disturbs my meditations..............?"

Ozgood looked up at the woman who appeared on the walls of the doomed city. Leaning over so Amra cold hear the Duke spoke. "I have seen such tricks before from wizards. Looks like she is going for the old ploy of let me show you my power so I the great and powerful wizard can negotiate from a position of power."

He then removed from his pocket an IR laser pointer and palmed it in his left hand. Checking to make sure the unit was working he leaned back over Amra's shoulder. "Just give the word and I will give the bitch a surprise she will never forget."

Before anyone could answer, Sybele fixed her gaze upon Ozgood. "You", she said as she pointed at the Duke. "Put away that toy. I am here as a friend against your enemy. I am not here to fight with m'lord Amra's allies."

Amra put his hand on the Duke's arm. "Easy, my friend. I've no doubt she has one hell of a lot more to throw back at you than that laser your'e palming."

Turning to the Prioress, he said, "Greetings, m'lady. My friend here thinks you are nothing but a run-of-the-mill wizard which we've so often run into in days past." Abbot Merton caught his eye and the Abbot motioned Amra to be quiet.

"Sybele! I am Abbot Mencius Merton, Lord of the Essene Tribe of the White-Robed Monks. Tsaphon, son of Xaltotun, is inside the Gateway. We want him dead, but need this ancient city intact."

Her face turned into a mask of distaste. "White-Robed Monks, indeed! Dedicated to that feeble godlet Adonai, no doubt. Is not Adonai capable of handling a mere sorceror? Your all-powerful God? Yet you call me. Wherefore your God, monk?"

Merton knelt and began to write in the dust of the cobbled path leading into the city. "You know as well as I do, witch, that Ssyn is a Vortex, one of the six Gateways into Hell. El-Elyon, whom you call Adonai, is more than able to simply snap His fingers and do away with The Unknown One. But, then what would we learn?" He stopped writing, stood up, and clapped his hands together and quickly stepped aside as the ground began to crack and split, throwing up great gouts of rock and mud from a great depth in the earth.

A hole began to form, eventually growing to the size of a battleship. As the boiling mud and rock spewed into the air, a deep red, three-clawed hand fully four feet in length came up out of the hole, grabbed it's edge, and began to pull away yet more rock and sand. At length, the huge hand stopped, began rising into the air, and the people could see an enormous arm slowly coming up out of the pit..........................

OOC: Sry abt lack of posts.... Computer died when i was in process of posting several weeks ago... needless to say story has progressed beyond where my posts would have been desireable

OCC: Sorry to hear about your computer. Might as well post on this to get us moving again.

Raz Tashenkkar regained consciousness slowly. He became aware of the heat and stench immediately as he saw that he was laying under a tattered lean-to. His left arm was a mass of pain, two long and deep gashes producing copious amounts of blood. An old woman was tending to the wounds, smearing a foul-smelling salve on the gashes, mumbling and cackling to herself as she did so.

"What is that shit your'e putting on me, old woman?"

"Mucus of a swine and guano. It is said it aids in a quick recovery"< she replied in barely understandable Baaliimi.

"What! Your'e rubbing pig snot and bat shit on my arm?" With a powerful swipe of the inured arm, which sent further agony rushing through it, he back-handed the hag, sending her sprawling. A couple of soldiers nearby laughed before turning back to continue gutting a dog and two cats for their evening dinner.

Raz pushed himself up to a sitting position, the effort leaving him somewhat light-headed. "Water! Someone get me some water!" A ragged little boy handed him a cup, which he swallowed eagerly.

After a minute, feeling a bit better, he managed to stand, holding heavily onto one of the lean-to's posts. As he looked around, he saw many heads turned in one direction, looking up at the sky. As his gaze followed theirs, he almost fainted at the sight.......