NationStates Jolt Archive

No Confidence

Executive Building, Delta City

It was raining hard in Delta City. Thick gray clouds hung low overhead the city as people in the buildings and streets below went about the daily routine, pouring rain down in huge iron-gray sheets. Cars and trucks and other vehicles, with headlights on in the rain, as law in the Republic demanded, moved swiftly but cautiously down the city streets, the drivers inside them accustomed to the rain. Pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks bedecked out in rain coats and carrying umbrellas. Above them all, the storm seemed only to be getting increasingly powerful, but then, such was the norm in the Delta.

It was in this setting that Lucy Bennett, of the Republic News Service’s Television Office had to stand in front of the Executive Building, and make a news report. Normally a room inside would have been made available, but, the National Assembly was in closed session inside. In those circumstances, they didn’t want any reporters sneaking in up close.

Instead the pretty young blonde and her camera crew stood underneath a small awning set in front of the big iron gates as rain roared down. Lucy clutched at her microphone tightly in a hand fast going numb from the frigid wind and smiled as the cameraman gave her the long awaited signal to get going.

“Good morning,” she began. “I’m Lucy Bennett with the RNS standing here right outside Delta City’s Executive Building, where the National Assembly is currently convened in a highly secure, closed session. In accordance with national laws the topic of the discussion has not been revealed, but speculation abounds, with many believing the main subject can likely be nothing else than the Republic Army forces now operating in Myakka.”

Lucy paused a moment as a passing vehicle came unusually close to the sidewalk, and hit her and the camera crew with a blast of cold almost invisible mist from the puddles which had formed on the ground all day. As this happened viewers may have noticed a big truck heading rapidly toward a side gate of the Executive Building compound’s iron fence. The large vehicle was moving quite fast and was visible only a moment, noise and commotion in the background signaling something was going wrong.

BOOM!

It was visible as a bright orange fireball at the gate. The camera tilted down then, and as it lifted back up, Lucy Bennett was just standing up from a crouching position. Even though it was in the background and at an odd angle that gate was obviously gone and as a crowd in the street gathered, suddenly more trucks, this time big, green, Army transports, moved in seemingly from nowhere. They stopped close to the hole in the fence. Even before they had fully stopped, soldiers were jumping to the ground, uniformed and heavily armed and looking ready to do some serious field work.

******************************
Later, it would be described as ironic that on that horrible Sunday morning the Army had killed a government that was already in the process of destruction. As the soldiers poured in through the wall perimeter, killing high ranking officials they could find, the Assembly had just voted to hold a Vote of No Confidence for the Yoemon Administration. Had that legislation successfully passed, then the Yoemon government, which was interim anyway in legal terms, would have been shut down, and new elections called.

Needless to say, the decision on that vote was not destined to be decided. Even as debates had begun, the Assembly members fell silent as they heard the ominous sound of boots as kill groups of dozens of men stormed the halls. As the gunshots became more audible and it became obvious what was happening, some attempted flight but most kept to their seats in the Assembly Hall, unsure of what actions they should take. Of those who fled, only an incredibly small group would make it out still alive. Most would be shot down like beasts in the bloody corridors. They died alongside office clerks, low-ranking officials, and even innocent bystanders, there on some business.

Men and women from the largely ceremonial Executive Building Garrison, a mixed force largely made up of Military Police and Delta City Metro Police officers, tried to mount an internal defense of the compound, to buy time for the government leaders to escape, but it had almost no effect. The soldiers, when possible were offered a chance to join the troops involved in the attack. All but a handful refused, and were killed. The civilian police were killed out of hand.

Finally, following thirty minutes of bloody conflict, the attacking forces breached into the innermost rooms, and entered the Assembly Hall from all vectors.

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

Major Eustace Drayton, the man whose soldiers had conducted the attack, walked in to an incredibly silent Assembly Hall down the central aisle between all the seats. He walked at his own pace, heading towards the desk in the front where the Chairman sat.

Chairman of the National Assembly Shimohira Toshio stood behind his desk flanked by a heavily armed “Security Detail” of two soldiers.

“Drayton,” Shimohira began sternly. “Would you mind telling me what you’re doing here like this? This is a complete breach of protocol and law.”

“Protocol?” Drayton raised an eyebrow. “Law? Chairman, to one as intelligent as you are it should be obvious what is happening here, and in that case, you will know that protocol is the least of your concerns.”

“You dare barge in here, and accost the leaders of the Republic by force of arms!?” Some idiotic junior-level Representative cried from the crowd of politicians being herded by the heavily armed soldiers who Drayton commanded. Drayton said nothing in response. With his good hand, he drew his pistol, turned, and fired a single shot into the man’s face.

“Yes,” he said coolly as the man’s corpse slumped onto the floor, blood pooling. “I dare.”

“Madness!” Shimohira had gone pale now, and the quiet murmurs from the governmental leaders had now ceased.

“Now,” Drayton said, turning back to face the Chairman, having evidently not heard what he had just said. “We have some issues to discuss.”

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

During the next hour, the Chairman and the 69 surviving Representatives were decisively informed what the new circumstances were. 59 of them “resigned due to ill health,” and a large storage room was set aside for them to be kept in “protective custody” until fighting in the city had died down, and they could be taken home, where they would live restricted lives in home arrest; for their personal security, of course. The remaining Representatives held a vote and unanimously declared the Yoemon Administration to be ended, abolished his office of President and acknowledged the National Council of Military Salvation, thus lawfully-according to them-giving all executive, legislative and judicial powers to leaders in the Armed Forces of what had, until that morning, been a democracy.

OOC:

No attempt is being made by the coup plotters, primarily military leaders, to hide this. IC reactions, messages and so on are welcome but I would ask that military intervention be kept to a minimum as yet, and if you wish to, ask first if you would, please.

Many thanks.

Cabinet Room, Blair House
Brayton, Tolvanic Home Islands

The weekly Cabinet Meeting was entering its third hour, they typically spanned six full hours, when the report of the coup in Mioya was brought up. The young analyst from the National Directorate of Intelligence (NDI) brought up the relevant slides and directed the Cabinet Ministers to the proper pages of their briefing packets.

"At this moment we know very little other than the fact that the military stormed the capital, executed a very bloody takeover, and then forced the surviving legislators to vote them into power. Of course it's a complete and utter farce, but it does give them limited currency with the international community."

Prime Minister Hutchins faced Foreign Minister Donovan. "Robert, do we have any ties with Mioya?"

Donovan didn't hestiate to answer. "No sir."

Commerce Minister Burke was next to speak. "We have no economic ties to speak of either, sir."

Hutchins mulled this for a moment before continuing. "General Montoya, do we have any forces in the region?"

General Ramone Montoya, Chairman of the Combined Staff, studied his notes before speaking. "Yes sir, Carrier Battle Group Twenty-Two is just six days sail from Mioya."

Hutchins jotted down some notes before giving his instru ctions. "General, redeploy the carrier to the area to commence patrols, standard ROE. Robert, send a message informing the Mioyans of our plans and that we disapprove of their tactics, etc. I think that's all the discussion this topic requires."

The briefer switched slides. "As you can see the strife in the Congo continues..."

*OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE*

TO: Major Eustace Drayton
FROM: Robert Donovan, Foreign Minister, Commonwealth of Tolvan

RE: Mioyan Coup

Dear Sir,

I have been instructed by my government to inform you of the following:


The Commonwealth strongly denounces your coup as usurping the democratic process of your nation
Further, the Commowealth further expresses its disdain for the callous and needlessly brutal nature of your seizure of power
In light of these circumstances the Commonwealth has opted to deploy military forces to the general vicinity of your national waters to conduct rountine patrols, any interference in there lawful operations will not be looked upon favourably


We await your reply.

Carrier Battle Group Twenty-Three (CBG-23)
2,200 nautcal miles from Mioyan Waters

Once the orders to redeploy had been recieved the twelve ships of CBG-23 altered course to move closer to Mioyan waters. At a cruising speed of 15 knots it'd take them six days to reach Mioya, more than adequate under the circumstances.

Jonas Listless' Office

The Emperor sat in his office, going over the budget packets, when he attention was drawn to the television. It was switched to BNN, and a report was just in, about a coup in Mioya. Jonas flipped through his Rolodex, only to find that there was no card for Mioya. "No relations, then," he thought to himself. He turned the volume up on the television, as the report detailed the gruesome acts committed by those behind the "highly illegal military coup" as the news network was calling it. After the report was over, he reached for the phone he had had installed, as a direct line to the military, only to realize after picking it up, that it still wasn't connected. He then grabbed his keys, and his hat, and drove over to the High Command.

Beatusian High Command

The Emperor met with Generals Bart, and Rocco, and Admiral Vi, and discussed their options, and the situation. Finally, it was decided. Should any resistance form against the new government, the Holy Empire would attempt to contact it, and offer it support. That was the best they could do. In the meantime, a team, and supplies were being put together, so that should they get in contact with such and organization, and should that organization want their help, they would have something to send. The hope was, that the team and supplies would be able to move out within an hour of confirmation, but like any military estimate, it was far overstated.

Official Statement

The actions of those behind the recent military coup in Mioya, are deplorable. A freeze has been issued on all passports issued by Mioya, and all aircraft and ships operating under the flag of Mioya, will be turned away from Beatusian ports and airports. Citizens from Mioya seeking asylum, are welcome in the Beatus.

Signed,
Emperor Jonas Listless
The Holy Empire of the Beatus

Major Drayton was not the coup’s commander, being merely an agent of the flag officers. He thus passed the message along to Lieutenant-General Charles Franz, the primary coup leader, and the Army’s overall CO.

For: FM Robert Donovan
From: LTGEN Charles Franz
RE: Mioyan Coup

Sir,

I must ask you to spare Major Drayton such scorn. He is simply an agent, carrying out the instructions issued to him.

I have seized power, not because I desire it, but because the previous government was too incompetent to be left in its place. They sent military forces to Myakka without providing necessary support, and then, left them there to die when things became unstable.

I am joined by many in this nation in finding this unacceptable.

Regards,
LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

For: Emperor Jonas Listless
From: LTGEN Charles Franz

Your Majesty,

I am dismayed by the actions you have taken, but will confess the circumstances probable make you believe them justified. I think you will soon realize, however that the actions I and my fellows have just recently taken were done with this state's best interests in mind.

Regards,
LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

IC:
Official Statement from TSRT Government
"The Red Tidean State applauds the decision of the Mioyan Military to take matters into its own hands and bring a restoration of a strong, central government. The TSRT offers full economic and military support too the leaders of Mioya."
End Statement

Secret IC:
Encrypted!
Message from TSRT Government
To LTGEN Charles Franz
"Attached to the following message are two RADAR images taken by one of our RADAR-Oceanic Reconnassiance Sattelites(RORSAT). These are, as you can clearly see in the third attached image, one of a regular sattelite image, a Tolvan Carrier Battlegroup. The two RORSAT Images, taken within 24 hours of each other, clearly shows that their current course & heading could place them off your shore within the next 5-days.

This is merely an act of goodwill to show our sincerity in our public statement
We will continue too monitor international response to your coup and keep you updated about any possible interventions. If you need our help, simply ask."
END MESSAGE

Secret IC:
Encrypted!
Message from TSRT Government
To LTGEN Charles Franz
"Attached to the following message are two RADAR images taken by one of our RADAR-Oceanic Reconnassiance Sattelites(RORSAT). These are, as you can clearly see in the third attached image, one of a regular sattelite image, a Tolvan Carrier Battlegroup. The two RORSAT Images, taken within 24 hours of each other, clearly shows that their current course & heading could place them off your shore within the next 5-days.

This is merely an act of goodwill to show our sincerity in our public statement
We will continue too monitor international response to your coup and keep you updated about any possible interventions. If you need our help, simply ask."
END MESSAGE

OOC: Exactly how did you surmise that those ships were mine merely from satellite photos? Remember my message was to Mioya only, not the world in general, you would have no realistic way of knowing those are my ships.

OOC: Maybe the flag would give it away? I mean, if a modern sattelite image can see the headlines of a newspaper (at minimum), then obviously it can see a flag fluttering from wherever-the-hell-it-is-they-put-flags-on-ships. Especially if the it is an angled shot.

[OOC: Also ship design, uniforms of deck personnel, aircraft on carrier decks, and vessel make up of your carrier battle group would suffice. That all should require a bit of lampshade hanging on RT's part. Like say, his intel analysts identifying all of those parts and then have them look at each other, compare it to reference material on Tolvan naval groups, and then passing up the chain.]

Official Communication to the Government of Mioya
Denomination of Foreign Diplomacy

While on behalf of the Greater Economic Union of New Manth I must express deep dismay at the methods your government has used to seize power, namely the violent overthrow of a democratically elected government, at this point the future is what matters. As such I express the sincere hopes of the Union that, having seized power, your government will exercise it with the restraint, dignity and austerity suitable to a statesman, rather than wielding authority in a heavyhanded, brutish fashion.

Should the new government of Mioya prove to be made up of reasonable men, there may be basis for mutually beneficial cooperation in the future.

Regards,

Ismail Fahmy
Denomination of Foreign Diplomacy CCX Liaison


OOC: Maybe the flag would give it away? I mean, if a modern sattelite image can see the headlines of a newspaper (at minimum), then obviously it can see a flag fluttering from wherever-the-hell-it-is-they-put-flags-on-ships. Especially if the it is an angled shot.

ooc note: The thing about reading headlines is probably just an urban legend. Resolution depends very much on the circumstances of any given picture but at the very best possible circumstances probably would not be much better than 3-4 cm. That is for a preplanned photo mission in which the orbit of the satellite is set well in advance in order to bring it low over the target in an advantageous position - For obvious reasons you use that to spy on immobile stuff like nuclear silos, not to find moving objects and certainly not to find ships in the middle of the ocean.

A ship at sea will probably not be located by photograpy at all but by magnetic imaging or infrared. Since ships at sea follow unpredictable routes (especially so for military ships), it is impossible to predict where they will be long in advance.

And of course, an angled shot will have worse resolution the greater the angle (because of greater atmospheric interference and larger distance).

OOC:

Could we cut out the purely OOC posts, please? I'll make an IC post soon.

OOC:

Rest assured that another, more sizeable post is in the works. For now I am merely showing those interested this thread has not yet died.

IC:

For: FM Robert Donovan
From: LTGEN Charles Franz
RE: Mioyan Coup

Sir,

I must protest to you with regards to the Tolvanic naval forces now headed in the direction of my nation. They have absolutely no reason to be securing my nation's waters. We have done nothing against you, and have no designs in mind against you. As such, this deployment is pointless and can only waste time and money. Yours, not my people's.

Regards,
LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

*OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE*

TO: LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS
FROM: Robert Donovan, Foreign Minister, Commonwealth of Tolvan

RE: Mioyan Coup

Dear Sir,

The manner in which we utilise our military's time and resources is out concern and not yours. Rest assured our forces will not violate Mioyan national waters or airspace nor will hostile actions will be taken without due cause. Our forces will remain in the area until we are satisfied that our interests in the area are not threatened by any instability caused by recent events within your nation.

Please direct further communications to Mr. Jorge Valdez, newly appointed Director of the Mioyan Provisional Desk at the Foreign Office, or Vice Admiral Owen Poole, Commander of the force patrolling near Mioya.

Delta City

Lucy Bennett had fled the scene of violence at the Executive Building and gone back to a largely silent and partially emptied studio complex. Some of the staff workers had rushed home already, or at least tried to go home. There was fighting in the streets between loyal military, police and civilian forces and the rebels. The fighting was not yet that fierce, but it was intensifying, and a rebel victory looked more certain now.

“Lucy!” A hoarse voice cried out as she climbed from her sedan in the parking lot.

“Kita!” Kita Abukara was a friend of Lucy’s who worked in the Radio Office performing informational talk routines. What kept such a pretty, energetic, young lady from a posting in the Television Office was beyond Lucy, but it seemed Kita did not mind.

Kita, an outright tiny woman of almost purely Asian extraction ran up to the taller woman in the parking lot and latched onto her in a hug, her feet dangling freely above the parking lot as she wrapped both arms around her friend. Lucy chuckled for a moment despite how horrible and confusing the circumstances had become.

Kita,” Lucy spoke again as she lowered her friend to the cement. “We should head inside. Do you know what’s happening?”

Kita shook her head.

“I’m note entirely sure,” she said. “But I heard the Army is taking control, or at least they have been trying to take control. The men riding those trucks wore Field Force equipment if I’m not mistaken.”

“How do you know?” Lucy asked.

“My cousin did a stint in the Army,” was the reply. “C’mon inside; the boss says we have recordings of the footage you were streaming back.”

Lucy nodded and moved to follow Kita, but the radiowoman suddenly had a thought, and looked around for a moment before looking back toward Lucy.

“Where’s the camera crew?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” said Lucy. “They ran off, and I lost them.”

Kita grimaced, but tried to stay positive about it.

“Well…I’m sure they’ll turn up before too long. Now, let’s get inside.”

***Minutes later***

“Yeah,” Kita said as she looked at the screen. “Those are Army alright. See that rifle he’s holding?” She pointed to the first man to leap from the transport trucks.

“Yeah,” said Lucy. “What about it?”

“It’s a Steyr AUG,” Kita responded. Upon seeing Lucy’s blank look, she elaborated.

“It’s an assault rifle originally made in Austria, used by the Army. They were replacing it recently, but all the new rifles have been sent to Myakka right now.”

“Ah,” said Lucy, still not quite getting the point.

“They’re also wearing Field Force uniforms. They’re fully decked out.”

Lucy was about to reply when a young intern opened the doors to the viewing room.

“Hey!” he said. “The boss sent me to tell you, there’re soldiers at the door, saying that the media outlets are answering to that Council of theirs now or something like that. They are heavily armed, and they’re moving throughout the building, checking things out.”

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

For: Mr. J. Valdez, DMPD
From: LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

Sir,

I wish to make it known to the government you serve that recent actions taken by Tolvan, namely the needless dispatch of military forces in a threatening fashion against my nation have already caused more harm than good. The prospect, regardless how small, of foreign intervention is causing panic among the civilian populace.

I must insist once again that this needless action be reconsidered.

I must also ask that you acknowledge my actions were not a standard coup. I did not seize leadership for my own sake. I did so because the government which I removed proved the incompetence among its ranks was too intense to be tolerated.

If at all possible, I mean to appoint a new, civilian government within ten years.

Regards,
LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

*OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE*

TO: LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS
FROM: Jorge Valdez, Director, Mioyan Provisional Desk, Commonwealth of Tolvan Foreign Office

RE: Mioyan Coup

Dear Sir,

Forgive my bluntness, but the internal affairs and political machinations of your nations are of no interest to the Commonwealth. Our only concern is that the the instability in your nation does not spread beyond your borders. My nations has several well travelled trade routes near your nation and as we are an island nation maintaing the safety and viability of our SLOC (Seaborne Lines of Communication) is paramount importance to our national security.

To assauge your concerns my government has instructed me to inform you that your navy will be allowed to monitor our forces to ensure that we have hostile intentions towards your nation. If you wish to do so, please inform Vice Admiral Poole so that he may make the relevant arrangements.

OOC:

Expecy my next IC post to contain a drastic development.

IC:

For: Mr. J. Valdez, DMPD
From: LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

Sir,

Mioya is an island nation. We know what a SLOC is.

Regarding the blunt statement you made, it is insulting, but understandable. I sought only intellectual understanding on your part of what caused an admittedly unstable situation in my country recently.

Regards,
LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

For: VADM Owen Poole
From: LTGEN Charles Franz

Sir,

I am informed that if I desire it may be arranged for my Navy to engage in monitoring the naval forces commanded by yourself, so as to ensure peaceful intentions.

I will be brutally honest. My preference is that you leave entirely, but the Commonwealth has apparently decided to persist. With this situation, the most profitable arrangement would be to facilitate direct communications, to prevent hostile actions brought about by misunderstanding.

I was not told clearly exactly how this monitoring would take place. Shall I simply send a RMN observation team to hold station aboard a Commonwealth ship, or shall I send out a RMN warship to watch you?

Regards,
LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS

*OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE*

TO: LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS
FROM: Jorge Valdez, Director, Mioyan Provisional Desk, Commonwealth of Tolvan Foreign Office

RE: Mioyan Coup

Dear Sir,

We mean no disrespect, however Tolvan has always prided itself on limiting its involvement in the internal affairs of other nations unless those affairs affected our vital interests.

*OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE*

TO: LTGEN Charles Franz, NCMS
FROM: Vice Admiral Owen Poole, Commander, Carrier Battle Group 23, Tolvanic Navy

RE: Mioyan Coup

Dear Sir,

I have been instructed to allow one of your warships to shadow my force for the duration of our patrols in your immediate region. Our standing orders do not allow for the psoting of liasion officers at this time.

I will waive the standard fifty (50) nautical mile security cordon typically claimed by Tolvanic ships in international waters to allow your ship to remain close. If you wish your vessel may make visual contact with my task force. However, be advised that our weapons will be on standby and any aggression will met swiftly.

OOC:
CBG 23 ORBAT:
1x Type 75 CVN (100 planes embarked)
1x Type 56 AAW CG (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13249701&postcount=20)
2x Type 42 DDG (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13292299&postcount=229)
1x Type 38 DDG (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13375076&postcount=59)
2x Type 46 DDGN (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13684904&postcount=157)
3x Type 65 FFG (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13249701&postcount=20)
2x Type 94 SSN (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13607892&postcount=447)
1x Type 84 AOE

OOC:

FYI, Tolvan, there is cursing in this post. I hope you don't mind.

IC:

MS Andrew Johnson

Commander Ronnie Shelton, CO of the Flight II ¬Arleigh Burke class Andrew Johnson put his binoculars to his face and looked in the direction of the Commonwealth ships cruising in his nations waters. Like many others, Shelton found the Commonwealth’s actions to be insulting, and presumptive, but as a naval officer, he knew nothing could be done – yet. A little part of his mind knew that someday the opportunity could yet come, and when it did it would be taken, certainly.

“Enjoying the view, sir?” Shelton turned at the even, cultured voice to see who had spoke in spite of the fact he was already sure he knew.

Lieutenant-Commander Daishi Isamu, his deputy commander, stood behind him, his eyes looking past Shelton at the warships, patrolling in the distance. For only a second Shelton had the impression the man was scowling, but then the look was gone, replaced by a total indifference of facial expression for which the man was widely known.

“I don’t think that’s quite the word I’d use, Commander,” Shelton replied without turning his eyes from the window. “Those bastards come sailing in here acting all high and strong like they can just do any damn thing they please, patrolling my nation’s waters claiming a legitimate cause at stake. Threatening us that if we do anything they’ll retaliate. Shouldn’t it be us chasing them out and giving the warnings?”

“We’re just not strong enough, Captain,” was the reply. Everybody else on the bridge had immediately took even more closely to his work as the conversation began and studiously ignored the ship’s two ranking officers.

“Not now,” Shelton said. “Not now…but someday, by God, those sons of bitches will not have the strength to spit on us like this, and then…”

“Then, we pay them back.” Daishi phrased it as a statement, not a question.

“Then, we pay them back,” Shelton agreed.

Daishi moved wordlessly to join him at the window, and both men stood quietly, standing in relaxed posture, gazing out the window at the Commonwealth warships.

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

Delta City

Lieutenant-General Charles Franz, CIC of the Republic’s Army and Chairman of the new NCMS, sat in the back of his personal car, leafing through various papers and folders and lifting his gaze once in a while to look up at the eerily calm streets. There was little direct harm done to the city, physically, but there would normally be people everywhere. People had been frightened terribly by the coup and were understandably reluctant to leave home in the days immediately following it. Franz sighed. That was an unfortunate side affect he had foreseen, but still truly regretted. Still, one had to break eggs…

CRACK!

Franz looked up sharply at the sudden and unexpected noise. He could see the cracks that had splintered out on the front windshield, but even before he saw that, he knew what had happened. Sure enough, a second, like sound followed.

He was being shot at.

“Get us out of here!” he shouted forward to the enlisted driver, who was already throwing his vehicle into gear, picking up speed and watching out for hostiles. The man, a qualified military driver, was fully trained in evading attackers. Even so, it quickly became obvious his opponents were quite skillful. As the vehicle picked up speed and moved the fire grew increasingly heavy, and was quite obviously coming from multiple directions. That meant it was likely not just an ad hoc strike by some killers.

It was a thoroughly planned, very well executed, ambush. The gunmen were concealed so it was difficult to spot them, before they attacked. There were several of them, they struck hard from elevated spaces, and were using automatic assault weapons. As well the escape routes most obvious were all blocked.

His thoughts were interrupted as the vehicle rocked accompanied by a low thumping, and he knew that an enemy bullet had struck one of the tires. The vehicle swerved, as the man in place behind the wheel fought to retain control of his vehicle, and keep his charge alive in the meantime.

He seemed to be managing to get things in hand, when suddenly the front windshield was literally shattered into pieces by a series of shots. The young man at the wheel slumped, a large quantity of lead having penetrated his chest cavity. Thankfully, the vehicle was on a light upward incline in the road so when it crashed into a dumpster, the impact was not as hard as it could have been. Franz was moving in an instant. Shoving the folders and so on he had been looking at away from him and pulling out his .45 service pistol, he examined his surroundings quickly, jacked a round, and began to step out of the vehicle.

He only noticed the M60 GPMG in the warehouse across the street when he was standing in the open, and by then…

It was too late.

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

Lieutenant Mitchell Higgins of the Sakura County Militia smiled as he watched the strike he had planned work without a hitch. Watching that bastard Franz as a hail of 7.62mm bullets reduced him and the vehicle behind him to a broken wreck had been especially satisfying.

“Good job,” he said, patting the shoulder of the plain clothes corporal on the machine gun happily. “Now, pack it up and let’s move.”

OOC2:

More stunning developments later, when my wrists don't ache as much...

By the by, Tolvan, the two naval officers ranting in the first scene are not stating official policy, though it is a viewpoint of several leading personnel in the nation that the Commonwealth has no right to do the kind of thing it is doing right now.

OOC: I'll post ICly a little later, I'm going to assume that a couple days have past since our communiques.

CTS Broadsword (FFG-403)

The Broadsword's Assistant Tactical Action Officer (ATAO)Sublieutenant Michael Crossley was a rare breed, a Black officer in the predominantly White Tolvanic Navy. It wasn't that Blacks were barred from the service, it was simply due to the fact due to the nature of Tolvanic society few had the desire of qualifications to enter the elite officer's ranks. Crossley was the only Black officer on board the Broadsword, in fact he was th eonly one in the entire Battle Group, as such he was widely respected by the Black enlisted men (some 15% of the ship's crew).

At the moment he was standing watch as Junior Officer of the Deck (JOOD) under Lieutenant Vasquez. He'd stood on the starboard bridge wing for half an hour watching the Mioyan destroyer tailing them and thinking. Like much of the crew he thought this mission was a complete waste of time, but he knew better than to voice this aloud, but that didn't mean he would carry out his duties in anything less than a stellar fashion. One didn't graduate ninth in your class (out of 1,572) at the Naval Academy by being lax in your duties. Besides with any luck this mess would pass over soon and they could get back to more interesting duties, like hunting pirates.

Cabinet Room, Blair House
Brayton, Tolvanic Home Islands

The news of the attack on Lt. Gen. Franks reached the NDI within an hour and was then forwarded to the Prime Minister's Office, after some debate the decision was made to take no furthe action at this time, other than to order additional sattellite recon of Mioya and to continue the patrols.

OOC: Tolvan is a large island chain located in the Eastern Carribbean. As a result the population is almost equally composes of Blacks, Hispanics, and Whites. The Whites and Hispanics control most of the nation's wealth and such have the best education, jobs, standards of living, political power, etc. whereas the Blacks are used for cheap labour and such. There are no racial laws in effect and racism is fairly rare. I just like RPing my country this way and it is no way a reflection of my actual beliefs.

MS Andrew Johnson

Commander Shelton’s quiet observation of the Commonwealth ships was interrupted, the information that General Franz had been killed causing some consternation, not because a high degree of respect had been felt toward Franz by those aboard, so much as because he had caused a great deal of instability with his military coup and the still-recovering nation like as not would not survive a second shock so quick. As they went about the mission an intensive sense of foreboding spread among the crew.

Delta City

Lieutenant-General Henry Paris, newly promoted and appointed Chairman of the Council in a unanimous vote, sat down at General Franz’s desk. He silently looked around at what had until recently belong to his predecessor, leaned back in his chair, and sighed loudly, a long release of tension, which had built up during the past few hours. He gazed at a frame located on the desk, holding a picture of Franz and his wife. It must have been left behind in the cleanup of the office. He would have to return it to Seraphina soon. He would bring it to her personally, first thing tomorrow.

It was the least he could do, after all, since he had planned her husband’s death.

His train of thought brought his mind to the men who had actually done the deed, the men he had contacted to kill his old friend, the men who had been fooled into believing he was in favor of a return to democracy. Something would have to be done about them and what he knew exactly. He reached for the telephone on his desk.

“Sarah? Get me Captain Crowe.”

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

Lieutenant Mitchell Higgins, SCM climbed out from the cheap sedan he had driven to the industrial park on the outskirts of Delta City. His contact in the Council, a captain who he knew just as Crowe had contacted him recently and told him there was a message for him regarding the ongoing plot to overthrow the Council. Apparently, Crowe’s superiors were impressed by his good work in the assassination of General Franz. They were taking what he had done and using the confusion it brought to fullest advantage.

If things kept going like this it would not be long before the Republic was back.

His boots splashed through many puddles as he approached the large warehouse where he had been instructed to meet Crowe once more. The exterior lights were all turned out, and heavy aluminum front doors were opened just enough to let somebody step inside. Seeing little to no signs of recent activity, Higgins checked the pistol in his coat, and then walked into the dark, wet, cold warehouse.

*Click*

He knew what was happening as soon as he heard the rifle’s action being primed. Even as he saw Crowe step out from the shadows, accompanied by two armed soldiers he realized his mistake in trusting such an unknown person so fully.

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

Lucy Bennett stood before the camera in the news studio for the first time since the Army had launched its coup. She was dressed in a dark blue women’s business suit along with a light white blouse. Her blonde hair, worn loose and curly, was one of the features which a lot of people thought made her best suited to work in the television office. She had done a lot of broadcasts of this kind, but there was one difference. Standing out of camera view a little ways in to the shadows, two uniformed military officers waited to stop the broadcast if the military’s new censorship regulations were violated.

Lucy blinked, took a deep breath, and watched the cameraman, as he counted down to the live broadcast.

“Good morning!” she began with a cheery smile. “I’m Lucy Bennett and you’re watching RNST with the Morning Broadcast. This morning’s most important news, the man who is largely responsible for General Franz’s assassination, Mitchell Higgins, has been arrested in a daring police raid by loyal government personnel. Mr. Higgins has been taken quietly into custody and transported to an unnamed facility until a trial can be arranged.”

Lucy paused for a moment as that sank in.

“In other news, the…”

OOC:
This thread rocks! It's like reading a Clancy novel.. :D

IC:
"So, There's a coup in Mioya..."

Marlowe Mancenido was watching the news in his ornate office at the Presidential Palace. He was no stranger to coups having been put in power by one himself. His predecessor had ended decades of one-party rule and permitted free elections only to find the leftist Socialist Coalition with ties to the banned Communists lead in the polls. Right-wing army officers wouldn't allow that of course and seized control of the capital before the end of the canvass installing him as President. The Socialists were promptly outlawed and arrested en masse while the seats they would have won were handed over to Mancenido's party, the National Democrats.

No, he wasn't a stranger to coups, Mancenido thought to himself as he sipped his tea. He knew why he was allowed to sit in this office and sip Earl Gray while watching the news. He was a prisoner in an ivory cage, a figurehead the brass could use while they hunt for commies. He also knew that one wrong move and he'll be out of here. Worse, he would find a gun pointed at his head if he did something really stupid. Of course he could do a little something to endear himself to his patrons. He already deployed a division on a peacekeeping mission abroad so the boys with guns wouldn't be so bored. But he could do one more thing just to make sure.

Federation of Visayan Peoples
Office of the President

Greetings to the Government of Mioya!

Word has reached us of the glorious revolution that has triumphed in your nation. We salute the military for the courageous overthrow of the corrupt and self-serving politicians that have exploited your great people under the guise of democracy.

We have shared a similar experience and wish to aid you in any way that we can. Let us know how we may be of assistance so that together we can chart a course towards prosperity and progress.

In solidarity,
Marlowe Mancenido
President, Federation of Visayan Peoples

OOC:

Bump.

Republic of Mioya
Office of the NCMC Chairman

Mr. President,

I am pleased at this reaction by you to this justified and necessary action taken in my land in recent days. The foolish government we overthrew was incompetent and did not have a legitimate claim to the people’s loyalty.

For now, we would be interested in commerce and diplomatic relations. In the future, that hopefully will serve as foundation to a more substantial relationship.

Regards,
LTGEN Henry Paris, Chairman, NCMC

Federation of Visayan Peoples
Office of the President


General,

The Federation is elated with your favorable response. We happily extend diplomatic recognition to your government. We shall also send a trade delegation to your country when you can arrange for it.

In solidarity,
Marlowe Mancenido
President, Federation of Visayan Peoples