NationStates Jolt Archive

The boy flung himself bodily behind the protective cover granted by a large piece of rubble. Debris scrabbled as his feet flew over the gravelly surface of the street, fleeing quickly from the open air as yet another whip-crack of a high caliber sniper round broke the ominous silence looming about the once busy city. Taking a hard earned moment to catch his breath, the boy looked nervously over the rubble, then quickly drew his head back as another whip-crack sounded, throwing a spray of dust and rock off the barrier into his face. Looking backward, he could just see the building in which he had started this suicide mission. It couldn't be more than a hundred meters away, but pinned as he was under the watchful eye of the enemy sniper, it had taken him the better part of several minutes to advance to this point.

Chancing another glance over the concrete slab before him, the boy's eyes searched frantically, finally falling upon his destination. Still fifty meters or so away, the building was unimpressive, blending into the surrounding destruction quite nicely. Only two years ago this street had been a center of commerce and wealth, along with the city around it. Only one year ago, it had been laid waste by its own people.

It had begun rather inauspiciously. Nantararios had never had a history of militancy, never been imperialistic or aggressive toward its neighbors. Two years ago, following the death of Emperor Michael VII, a shift had overcome the Empire. Michael's son, Joshua, had ascended. Unlike his father and ancestors, Joshua had visions of power and domination. Unwarranted and unwanted policies of oppression and hate had been forced upon the Nanatararians, and they had chafed under the yoke.

Civil war had erupted in the empire's most opulent cities. Legions fought back and forth with their brothers and sisters for control of wasted cities in a war almost no one understood. All the while, Joshua sat untouched in his palace as cities burned and his people died by the thousands.

The distinctive whip-crack pulled the boy out of his reveries, his history lesson forgotten with the sharp tang of a near death experience flooding his mind. He could not afford to relax or lose focus on this street, the information he bore was too valuable. He took a slow, deep, rattling breath, fingers drumming the barrel of his assault rifle as he took one long look back at the building he had started from. He could easily still have been in there, watching one of his squad mates risk their lives, but that had not seemed right at the time.

Resolving himself to the decision he had made one hundred meters ago, the boy exhaled and scrambled from behind his hasty cover. A quick shot from the sniper missed by a ways. Obviously the sniper had been caught off guard by his sudden movement, betraying his inexperience. Heartened by this, the boy ignored a nearby piece of cover, instead making a break for the final destination, the company headquarters and home of the only working radio in half of a kilometer radius.

Incredibly, he made it. Jumping into the opened door, he faced several shocked men, pointing their weapons at him menacingly until they recognized his face. Out of breath, he merely handed his message to the commanding officer and collapsed against the wall. The CO read the message and nodded to his radioman, handing him the letter. As the call went out, the fate of Nantarios was changed. This was no longer a civil war, but an international conflict.

OOC: The letter is an open communication to the world on behalf of the anti-imperial faction in the Nantararian civil war. Essentially, I am opening up an entire nation split down the middle to whatever foreign intervention you deranged war-mongers see fit. Let's have some fun.

OOC: Tagged for future involvement. I'll post IC here soon. Natararios = Puppet?


IC:

This was a day of great consequence for Googlewoop and the atmosphere of the inner chamber of the parliament building reflected the magnitude of the occasion. Every member’s seat was filled. Aides shuttled jugs of water and papers between the great arches of desks that dominated the parliament floor. The long whip’s table, splitting the centre of the floor down the middle was a bustle with the activities of whips and stenographers and the three seats of the executive desk were also occupied by the President and Speaker and Sergeant of the House. Above, the public and press galleries were full to overflowing lending the impression that a great waterfall of photographers was going to spill over the barricade and onto the floor at any moment.

Donald Ducksfelt, the Secretary of Defence had just stood up to deliver the conclusion to the debate only to be heckled by the senator leading the members in opposition to the bill. Chaos erupted on the floor once again, as was common in the heated debates of bills as controversial as this.

“Order…Order…ORDER IN THE HOUSE!” bellowed the speaker.

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker,” continued Ducksfelt. He returned the harsh tone of a politician to his voice, preaching loudly into the small microphone in the desk in front of him. “As I was saying Mr. Speaker, too long has our nation stood by and watched insignificant dictators and idealistic socialists blatantly abuse the rights of their citizens, too long, Mr. Speaker. And when, Mr. Speaker, and when these citizens cry out for help, it is the policy of this government, this government, Mr. Speaker, to let those citizens perish under the unjust and un…” the secretary was cut short as the roars of support and disapproval had again become too loud to yell over.

“ORDER…ORDER!” yelled the Speaker.” The Sergeant will eject the member for Allium from the house! His ballot is to be placed externally!” The Parliament quickly came to order. The Sergeant didn’t have to move as a man in a black suit stormed out of the rear entrance to the chamber, throwing a pile of papers up in the air behind him.

“Thank you again, Mr. Speaker,” continued Ducksfelt, smirking at the humour of the situation, the humour of the very job description of a parliamentarian. “Mr. Speaker, these citizens suffer and perish under unjust and unlawful regimes and Googlewoop stands buy, stopping only at a few chastising words. At this very moment, Mr. Speaker, at this very moment, people cry out to be rescued and we send cameras and the Channel 10 News Team,” roars of laughter arrupted among the members, “when we should be sending the legions, Mr. Speaker!” The Secretary’s voice had reached a crescendo. “This policy must change, Mr. Speaker!” He began moving back to his seat amidst the rumble of hundreds of ‘hear, hears’.

The Speaker hammered the desk twice with his gavel. “The members of this, the Parliamentary Senate of the Googleistic Democracy of Googlewoop, are called to vote on Bill 12662 – ‘Authorisation of Mobilisation of Forces Against Human Rights Abuses’. The ballot will remain open for one hour.”

Exactly one hour later, as the entire chamber watched the clock in relative calm, the Speaker’s gavel fell again. “The ballot is closed. The Sergeant and whips will count the result out.”

The floor and press gallery again became a flurry of activity as over the next half an hour, the whips counted out a result of 411 to 89 supporting the bill.

“Does the President veto?” queried the Speaker.

“The President does not veto,” replied President Jon Hay, beginning to stand to leave. The formalities were over. For the first time in over 200 years, the executive branch had been given the power to deploy Googlewooper forces in the defence of the citizens of foreign powers.

OOC: Nope, not a puppet. Glad to see such sudden interest.

To: Nantararios
From: The Falkasian Government

The People's Republic of Falkasia would like to officially offer it's support in your fight against the tyranical government current oppressing your country and people. As of such, we are willing to offer whatever equipment and support you desire from the Falkasian military and our catalog at the Universal Defense Storefront (Link provided below). Currently, we will be mobilizing the 39th Strike Squadron to provide air support and air-strikes where ever it may be needed, pending arrival of the 8th Falkasian Airborne. Also along these lines, we will be airdropping secure, short-wave radios for use in communicating between local cells and the 39th.

Sincerely and with best regards,
Prime Minister Vladimir Kazyenko

((http://s10.invisionfree.com/Universal_Defense/))

Duke Blaise read the morning intelligence reports, the one from Nantararios interested him more than the others.
Looking up at his Security Advisor he said

"Nantararios, what do you know about it?"

"Well sire very little, all we know is that there has been a low level civil war off and on for some time, however over the last few days it seems to have escalated"

"This escalation, who is getting involved in this?" the Duke asked.

"We are not certain Sire, It seems the Nantararios has sent an open letter to the world, seeking aid and assistance. It has been reported by department 717 (Intelligence) that Falkasia is mobilising some of its forces; whether they are for Nantararios or not we dont know."

Flicking through the pages the Duke looked up at his Security Advisior,
"Why should we get involved in the Nantararios affair?"

"Well sire, for the recontruction projects. The people who help the winners will get the first reconstruction offers, and after a civil war there will be much to rebuild. Also sir it allows us to project our influence into an area we previously have not had an opportunity to enter"

The Duke was only to well aware that Donald Foy was the son of Billionaire Gerald Foy, Founder of "Malmaison Construction", one of the largest construction conglomorates in the Rechburg Duchy. However what his advisiors private connections were, didnt nescessarily worry him as long as they gave him top advise, they were all to aware of what happens when a "insider" puts "private interest" over Ducal responsibility. It was not pretty and the tentacles of "justice" were far reaching in cases of greed when serving as a Ducal advisor.

He turned to a panel beside him, pressed a button and moments latter an image of Admiral Ney his Naval Chief of Staff came up on a screen before him.

"Admiral, how is the the expeditionary force situated at the moment" The Duke enquired.

"Well sir we are back in shape, fortunately that Rammsteinburg affair didnt task the units to much and all hard assets are preloaded in the pre-positioned containers. As you know sir, its only a case of matching men and equipment, either here or elsewhere"

"Very well Ney, I want you to order the mobilisation of the Expedtionary force"

"Where is it to be deployed Sire" Admiral Ney asked.

"Nanatarios, Admiral, seems they have a little civil war under way down there"

"Damn shame for them sire, I will get things underway immediately".

Before the Duke pressed another button he casually waved the security advisor away, "That is all, please prepare a briefing report for this evening, thank you".

The Duke then pressed another button on the panel, the image of the Foriegn Secretary came on

"Yes Sire" Secretary Sandra Locke responded.

"Sandra could you come in for a moment, I have need of your expertise"

The Foriegn Secretary smiled, "Yes Sire Immediately".

A few minutes later Madam Forign Secretary knocked and entered the Dukes office.
"Yes Sire, how may I help", she enquired.

The Duke replied,
"What do you know of Nanatarios?" he asked
"Quite a lot sire, since my Parents originally came from there, why do you ask Sire".

"It seems that Nanatarios needs our help to fight a civil war, and we are going to help"

The Foriegn Secretary thought for a moment,
"On whose side Sire"

The Duke smiled,
"That Sandra is why you are going to Nanatarios to find out, I need you to tell me who is likely to win and who are the players, meanwhile Admiral Ney is preparing the expeditionary Fleet."
Officially Sandra you are going to go with offers to mediate, and with humanitarian aid, but Madam Secretary I expect the hard facts first and foremost.

OOC: Since I'm rp'ing as a fascist country my country's ultimate goal is to cause the complete collapse of your country (of course they will fail in the end). So keep that in mind as I post and once again, welcome to NS.

IC:

Today The United Territories of Mu Cephei was going to start an experiment. Well, the Chancellor of Mu Cephei and a few hand picked military, economic, and political advisors were going to do the experiment. The experiment was to see if Mu Cephei could make a country in civil war never recover from its woes.

They met in a well lit room within the capitol building, there were thirteen in total. Chancellor Maximilian Raban-Radulf sat on one end of a long oak table where his advisors sat on the sides of the table, six on each side. The Chancellor listened intently as the female political advisor finished her summary on Nantararios' political situation. When she sat down the Chancellor took a few minutes to think over the information given to him.

"Who do we side with?" the Chancellor finally spoke. The advisors looked at one another to see who should answer. Finally a man in a Mu Cephei Air Force uniform with five stars on his shoulders and holds the position of Head of Defense turned to the Chancellor.

"Well Maximilian Raban-Radulf, I believe the rebels would make a great puppet. They no doubt know that without outside help they will lose and will eagerly accept our aid. When they win they will be blind to our betrayal and plus if we ally ourselves with the government they have a better chance of finding out our true intentions," the Head of Defense stopped speaking and let Maximilian take in his words.

"Understood," the Chancellor looked at everyone else, "anyone wishes to disagree?"

"Well Chancellor," the same political advisor from before spoke up, "if we help out the government the war will end a lot faster and we can complete our goals faster."

"Okay then," the Chancellor said standing from his seat, "it is agreed. We will take the long, but safer option of helping the rebels. I now request that everyone, but the Head of Defense leave this office." One by one the advisors were let out and were of course escorted back to their homes once they left the building. The political advisor, however was not pleased with her dismissal. The Chancellor walked towards the Head of Defense who was also standing now, "am I making a bad choice?"

The Head of Defense laughed, "no. You are making the best choice possible. If this works then we can more easily destroy our enemies. Old friend Maximilian, you know full well I would kill you before I let you do something stupid that can hurt my beloved country and your still alive right?"

Maximilian smiled; "Gerwulf Guadalupe, thank you. I am glad to see my old mentor is still at the ready to guide me and this country."

Gerwulf placed his hand on Maximilian's soldier, "I have no idea what your talking about. I'm just an old soldier doing some dirty work for our great nation."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ____

A Mu Cephei modified EC-130 Commando Solo rolled out of a hanger in an air field in some small country that was too scared to deny Mu Cephei the right to have a military presence there. The crew were beginning their pre-flight check while support crew did a few final checks to make sure everything was in order. A truck parked next to the aircraft and support staff carried a long tube from the truck to the aircraft then put it in a hole on the aircraft's side. Fuel began to pump into the craft as a tanker on the runway next to the Commando's took off.

Soon the Commando Solo followed and filled its fuel tanks with fuel from the tanker. Then the EC-130 Commando Solo began its long journey to Nantararios which would require two more ariel-refuelings. Even then the Commando Solo would only have thirty minutes to complete its mission once it was countryside.

Several hours later the C-130 Commando Solo finished its last refueling as the tanker left to land back on the very last island under Mu Cephei's influence. The electronics craft made its way towards the target country. For the tenth time that day the flight crew switched places with the back-up crew to catch a nap before the mission. Before everyone on the craft new it the pilot informed everyone they were nearing Nantararios' waters. The Commando Solo, however, did not change its flight course as it flew to the center of the small country of Nantaraios.

OOC: I'll give the imperialist government a chance to take action before I begin broadcasting info to the rebels.

OOC: see above also. Nice OP :) and welcome to NS

OCC- Along with the others, welcome to NS, what a way to start.:hail:

Sandra Locke Foriegn Secretary for the Duchy of Rechburg landed in Nanatario's international airport, there she was met by the Embassy's security team which joined the one she brought with her. They immediately made their way to the Rechburg Embassy.

As Sandra drove through the city, she couldnt but help feel ashamed for the people of Nanatario. This was the country where her parents lived before they emigrated to Rechburg, the destruction she saw now, did not equate to the country her parents told her about.

From the from seat, the comms spec leant back and said

"The Embassy is trying to make an appointment for you to see Emperor Joshua as soon as possible madam Secretary".

OCC
Feel free to make do with the attempt to hold discussions, if affirmative you can just start up in your palace, if not then I will just carry on with another direction.

The Imperial Palace of Nantararios was centuries old but no less imposing for it. Looming over the oldest district of the oldest city in the empire, it had managed somehow to avoid the destruction that surrounded it for miles, a pristine oasis in a desert wasteland. The walls were of glossy black stone, expansive and foreboding. Those who ventured toward the palace were strictly those with business inside. It had not always been this way: during the rule of Joshua's predecessors, the palace had been a hub of commerce and politics. Senators (a political formality long disposed of under Joshua) frequented the offices of the Emperors, and government had thrived. In the past two years, however, those escorted into the dreadful palace by Legionnaires seldom returned.

It was from this veritable Hell that Joshua looked after the day to day demands of the war and his divided nation. Ruthless though he was in rule, Joshua could be described physically only as gorgeous. His thin frame was wrapped in royal garb so thick as to make him appear of a sturdy build, and his features had a feminine air that exuded a menacing calm. Joshua was a master of masking his emotional response to his surroundings, and his face wore a perpetual look of arrogant aloofness. Steel gray eyes allowed no further glimpse into the soul of the man. He had crafted himself to be much like his fortress: dark, menacing, and impenetrable.

Advisors and aides hurried quietly toward the imposing figure across a long, cavernous visiting room of stone, pillars flanking them on each side and flickering shadows thrown long across the room. Electricity was used in the more commonly trafficked rooms of the palace, but Joshua preferred the atmosphere created by flame in his most important holds.

"Emperor," began a small aide with a wavering voice that always annoyed Joshua. "It appears that the rebels have opened our war to international intervention. Already some nations are sending messages to the rebels, which we have intercepted. I don't need to tell you the catastrophe that it could mean were foreign powers to collect behind the rebels... We're fairly evenly matched as it is."

"Our Legions are far from evenly matched with the ragtag rebel troops," interjected a hard-faced, broad-chested man, his voice tinged with annoyance toward the smaller man. "We need not fear the interference of a few holier-than-thou nations with too much time to spare. We've also received a communique from a nation with emissaries already on Nantararian soil, and they wish to speak with you, Emperor."

"I will meet with them," came Joshua's voice, as mysterious and melodic as the man from which it spewed. "In the mean time, we must block any further attempt by the rebels to garner international support. Dispatch our own communique to the international community. If we reach foreign powers first, then they will support our cause."

OOC: Updated my post from before.

Sandra Locke, Foriegn Secretary for the Duchy of Rechburg arrived at the Imperial Palace, she was lead into first a grand foyer, then into a reception room.
She was told the Emperor would arrive shortly.

Imperial Palace

Meeting foreign dignitaries so bored Joshua that he usually delegated the task to his lowest-ranking aides. There was just so little to be accomplished in talk. Actions were his forte. Regardless of this, a civil war raged in his nation and, though his advisors assured him otherwise, it was a closely contested fight. He could not entrust the fate of his empire to the diplomatic skills of a low-level aide.

Clad in elegant, dark clothing hemmed with a magnificently dangerous purple trim, Joshua's eyes reflected the light emitted by evenly spaced torches bolted to the black stone wall as he strolled quickly down a hall, alone. A diplomat from Rechberg had arrived, and while Legionnaires clashed with rebels not three kilometers away, he would sit in a quiet room with a foreign representative and discuss relations. Such thoughts always exhilarated with thoughts of the extent of his power over his people.

As he strode towards a pair of thick, dark steel doors, a side door opened to his left, causing his hand to snap to the left side of his jacket and grasp the pistol concealed there. It was more a reaction that fear for his safety, none could reach this far-removed sanctum in his palace. As he had thought, there was no danger. An aide, this one middle-level and obviously nervous in his presence, waited to be addressed. When he was, he babbled quickly about an unidentified aircraft spotted over the city ten minutes ago. It had been fired upon, and the Marshal of the Legion requested that the emperor see the result. Sighing contentedly at the pray no doubt awaiting him with the Marshal, Joshua cast an uncaring glance at the dual-steel doors behind which Sandra Locke waited to meet him. She would have to be content with a mid-level aide in his stead. Informing the aide of his new duty, Joshua walked out the open side passage from which the aide had entered.

OOC: @ Rechburg: How much leniency do I have in my actions with Locke? Is she indispensable to you, etc?
@ Mu Cephei: Your call if my firing got the plane or not.

Rebel Camp

The rebel cause had been greatly bolstered by the bravery and luck of one man who had delivered the radio message across an open battlefield that opened the conflict in Nantararios to the world at large, but the upper echelons of the rebel cause knew that the odds were still against them. Despite all their efforts, the infrastructure destroyed and collateral damage caused by the conflict was astounding. Fear of the Legionnaires led many potential rebels to inaction, and even if the rebel cause prevailed in the end, to repair the devastation would require an exorbitant investment of time, money, and determination. Despite these odds, the fight must continue.

Gathered in an abandoned warehouse stood the entire Council of Rebels. Generally unwilling to assemble in such a way due to the threat caused by their proximity, the Council had put aside their fears in order to discuss the options presented to them by the new found international support for their cause. The room smelled of decay, and all around grime coated the walls, floors, and ceiling. Such were the conditions of any rebellion's headquarters.

"Several nations have pledged military support for our cause, and several more have paved the way for themselves to become involved in the future. Opening the war to the world could not have worked any more perfectly," a broad-chested man boomed in a baritone voice. He was obviously a military man, his mannerisms calculated and stern, his eyes full of bravery.

"We need to know, however, that not all foreign powers will wish us well. There are totalitarian governments more oppressive than Joshua who would see our cause fail if only for their own entertainment. We mustn't promise ourselves victory yet," a comparatively thinner man chimed in, his voice melodic and soothing. Glasses magnified his eyes to disproportionate size, and he looked all together ridiculous. If ever there was a man with a voice for radio, this was him. An uneasy silence gripped the room after the man's voice trailed off, and the ever present artillery explosions could be heard in the distance. This war had taken far more than a toll on the buildings and infrastructure of Nantararios: these men, once lawyers and accountants, hardly flinched at the harbingers of death that surrounded them constantly. Pushed into power by circumstance and necessity, they had risen to the occasion and more, and their cause had benefited from their sacrifice. They were a microcosm of the entire rebel force.

"We need to ensure, then, that only those willing to help us reach our shores. We have no naval presence, we must stress to those who would help us the importance of establishing naval superiority around Nantararios."

"It will be done."

OCC
- she is expendable... but my Duke is not a forgiving man; so there would be consequences.

Imperial Palace:

Sandra Locke was surprised to see yet another aide walk in, at the same time her Chief of security was getting reports from outside that there were aircraft buzzing the city, he urged her to leave the palace until things became more certain.

She approached the aide

"I understood I was to see the Emperor, where is he?".

Fleet Admiral Krystan Emmerich was just getting used to his position as President-General. Despite the heavy burden of responsibility resting on the shoulders of a head of state, he actually rather enjoyed it. It was exactly what he had always wanted; it was, he knew, what he was born to be.

He sipped at his coffee, his first cup of the day, and sat leisurely in his leather chair. Piles of paper--his work for the day--were scattered about his desk. The first he grabbed was his daily intelligence brief. Usually his intelligence chief went over it with him, but he was out today at a national intelligence conference. It was okay, though: Admiral Emmerich liked looking over it by himself anyway.

Most of it was useless information, really. There were a few important matters at the beginning, but after that it was almost entirely intelligence gathered on the happenings of nations far away that were of little concern to The Great Warlord Republic. One report managed to capture the President-General's interest, however. It was about civil war in some country called Nantararios. Emmerich recalled reading about it in a brief a while back, but now it suddenly reappeared in his daily brief. He quickly read over the 10 pages on the situation, and it became apparent why he was learning about Nantararios again: several nations--including one of Rammsteinburg's allies and neighbour, Rechburg--were getting involved in the affair all of a sudden. The admiral wondered if maybe he, too, should get into the action.

On his computer the President-General brought up the Special Intelligence Service (SIS) factbook on The Holy Empire of Nantararios. Unfortuneately, there was not a whole lot known about the tiny country of 8 million people; however, he did gain a bit of valuable understanding of the nation's current predicament.

Emmerich thought hard about the matter. Was it really a good idea to get Rammsteinburg involved? After ten minutes of contemplation, he was not entirely sure, but decided it was worth looking farther into the matter. He decided to send a message to the government of Nantararios, as well as contact his counterpart in the Duchy of Rechburg, Duke Blaise.

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq27/Rammsteinburg/Headings/PresidentGeneral.jpg
To: Duke Blaise of the Duchy of Rechburg

My dear friend, I have recently taken interest in the current situation in Nantararios. You know my nation's history. I grew up in the strange period following Rammsteinburg's first civil war, and I lived through and fought in the second several years ago. Naturally, any civil war is a matter of interest for me. I have also taken notice of your involvement in this tiny nation's affairs. I am curious as to the details of this involvement. What exactly are you doing, and what is your aim? And do you believe there is sufficient reason for The Great Warlord Republic to get involved?

Please respond as soon as possible.


http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq27/Rammsteinburg/Signatures/KEmmerich2.jpg

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq27/Rammsteinburg/Headings/ForeignAffairs.jpg
To: The government of Nantararios

The Great Warlord Republic has taken notice of the present situation in The Holy Empire of Nantararios and wishes to enter into conversation with the emperor immediately.

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq27/Rammsteinburg/Signatures/Kohlberg.jpg

President General of Rammsteinburg
Fleet Admiral Krystan Gottfield Emmerich, RN

My dear friend

I am concerned about the unstable situation the escalating civil war in Holy Empire of Nantararios brings to the region, to that end I have instructed my foriegn affairs people to in the first instance offer the Duchy of Rechberg as a mediator, should that fail they will then determine which faction will bring greater stability and we will then offer them our support.

To this end I have instructed my military officials to prepare the 1st Expeditionary Fleet for deployement to the Holy Empire of Nantararios should the situation require it.

In Highest regard

Prince Blaise.

From: President-General Emmerich
To: Prince Blaise

Your take on the situation seems very sensible. Please keep me in the loop and feel free to request my support. If you want, I can have the 4th Rammsteinburg Expeditionary Fleet join your naval force.

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq27/Rammsteinburg/Signatures/KEmmerich2.jpg