NationStates Jolt Archive

[music fanfare, a red star emblazoned with the sickle and hammer swoops onto the screen, replaced by a middle-aged black man in a blue suit. underneath, the words Commonwealth Broadcasting Community scrolls across]

"Good evening, I'm Mark Rather," the anchorman says. "Today's top story: A freighter of unknown origin entered Commonwealth territorial waters earlier this evening. The freighter was met by a patrol boat of the Maritime Defense Forces and boarded for inspection. Five inspectors were allowed onto the ship, and upon examination, found a cache of illegal drugs estimated at 1.5 tons. The crew responded by attacking and killing the inspectors as they made their way back to their ship."

The scene changed to an aerial view of a freighter on fire in the ocean.

"A destroyer in the vicinity of the incident responded to the patrol boat's request for assistance, and after recieving orders from the Maritime Directorate, fired a missile at the freighter, sinking it. The government is still unsure of the origins of the vessel, and has released no further information."

<The Republic of the Battlehawk>
<Presidential Mansion>

"Mr President, we've received word from Navel command" Theresa reported "The MV Tomorrow has gone missing, presumed sunk"
"Where?" Daniel asked
"Near The Commonewealtth" Theresa replied
"Ok, sent Captain Munro on the Excelsior and his battle group ro rhw edge of their waters, I am going to contact them" Daniel said "What was the Tomorrow transporting?"
"They were transporting Medical supplies, I'll get you the full manisfest"

OFFICIAL TRANSMISSION
FROM: THE REPUBLIC OF THE BATTLEHAWK
TO: THE COMONWEALTH

Please explain why you have sunk one of the Battlehawks Mechent vessels or face the concequences

END MESSAGE

Office of the Commonwealth Defense Directorate
Breer Hill, Meridian City, CFUS

>>

At approximately 1430 hours Commonwealth Mean Time, an unknown freighter, of unknown origin and without proper markings, passed into the territorial waters of the Commonwealth, 3 nm NNE of Nord Cilla. Upon inspection by a coastal patrol vessel, the unknown freighter was found to be carrying 1.5 tons of illicit drugs. There are samples available for inquiry, salvaged from the wreck. The crew fired upon and killed the inspectors, after which the vessel tried to escape our waters. A nearby frigate, the FSS Sea Dawn fired warning shots, recieved no answer to hails, and was fired on with several RPGs. The Maritime Directorate authorized the use of force, and the vessel was sunk by a missile from the frigate.

The Commonwealth will take any means to defend its citizens from the effects of illegal and illicit drug sales and trafficking.

"Thats outragous!" Daniel excalimed reading the announcment "That was our cargo ship, yes they have the marines on board but they don't have RPG's"
"What about the drugs?" Theresa asked
"I trust the ships crews intergrity, it was medical supplies"
"Captain Munro has requested orders"
"Put him two hundred metres outside their waters"

<RBS Excelsior>

"Captain!" James Thompson said "Command has ordered us to maintain postion two hundred metres outside the commonwealth territorial waters"
"Understood, helm do as ordered" Alex ordered "Thompson, sound the General alarm, have Hawkeye squadron on the flight deck.

OOC:
RBS Battle group

RBS Excelsior (Alligence Class Aircraft Carrier)
RBS Stronghold and RBS Tycoon <Argonaut Class Cruiser>
RBS Lightning, Bussiness, Dimensions and Present (Avenger Class Destroyer)

is this open? if so expect an ic response

Ustio North Broadcasting Company - News At Six

A blonde woman is sat at a desk in front of the camera. She re-arranges some papers as the camera pans in close to her

"Hello, and welcome to the Six O'Clock News on UNBC. I'm Fiona Gibson"

An image of an exploding ship is displayed in the background, with half the Commonwealth flag next to it

"The Commonwealth Navy today sank an unknown freighter that attempted to breach it's territorial waters. The Patrol Ship Sea Dawn of the Commonwealth Navy first sighted the freighter MV Tomorrow at around half past two, and after several warnings was forced to to return fire on the freighter, whose crew had apparently fired rocket propelled grenades at the Sea Dawn. The sinking of the MV Tomorrow was confirmed by the pilots of a pair of A/F-29 Vultures (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14252650&postcount=61) of the Royal Air Force who were in the area at the time of the attack. The Prime Minister has yet to make a statement"

She ajusted her papers, and turned to another camera.

"In other news, the ODECON summit is being held..."

Commonwealth Defense Directorate
Breer Hill, Meridian City, CFUS

Lt. Commander Miranda Ramius walked into the chamber briskly, followed by her Executive Officer Lt. David Breshnye and TAO Lt. Eliza Craunau. They stopped in the center of the room, facing the six members who made up the Directorate. In the center, the Premier called the room to order. She and her subordinates snapped to attention.

"Lt. Cdr. Miranda Ramius, Captain of the FSS Sea Dawn reporting as ordered," she said.

"At ease," the Premier said. "You may give your report at any time."

"Yes sir," she responded. Lt. Breshnye began to set up for their report as she and the TAO seated themselves. As per military law, the Captain of a vessel was barred from any form of cross-examination save for a full courts-martial. It was one of those perks that Captain Ramius didn't truly appreciate.

Later...

"And how were these drugs salvaged?" a Congressman asked.

"The Sea Dawn is equipped with a rescue submerisble and a diving crew. Our vessel had just come in from maneuvers." He shifted his notes, "The divers retrieved the drugs, sir."

"And how do you know they're drugs, not just pharmaceuticals like it has been suggested?" asked another.

"The evidence was turned over to FSB agents, whose labs confirmed it as uncut cocaine, sir," the Lieutenant answered.

And so the interrogation continued...

--------

Nord Cilla Naval Yards, Nord Cilla, CFUS

The High Guard, the largest fleet of the Maritime Forces, was stationed in three key ports along the northern coast. Nord Cilla was home port for the 3rd Amphibious Group and the Boudicca Battle Group. The Gibraltar-class (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13973436&postcount=29) carrier was one of the best in the fleet, with several service commendations and battle awards. Now, it set sail with it's task force, two Xerxes-class (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13964813&postcount=23) cruisers, as well as two Shahriyar-class (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14001106&postcount=41) missile frigates and two Priam-class (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14001109&postcount=42) destroyers. They were dispatched to keep an eye on the intrusive vessels holding outside their waters.

OOC:Post coming soon, but i will RP as my company bribed/quietly overtook its way to use Battlehawks ship as a way to smuggle drugs in, calling them medical supplies

<RBS Excelsior>

"Captain" Thompson reported "We're reading 7 ship heading our way, one carrier among them"
"Don't panic, they can't do anything about us yet, we're in international waters"
"Shouldn't we at least send a message to command?" Jessica sato, XO, asked
"Very well, send this" Alex began "are on station and awaiting futher orders, picked up Commonwealth ships coming our way"

<Militerry Command Centre>

"Whats the deal Admiral?" Daniel asked entering the room.
"The MV Tomorrow was sunk this morning in international waters near the Commonwealth" Admiral forrest reported.
"Air Marshal?"
"Our GPS link confirms that the Tomorrow was in international waters at the time of the attack" Air Marshal Johnson reported "During the attack the GPS shows that while trying to evade the enemy he may have just entered their waters"
"General, whats your view on this?"
"It was an uprovked attack on a ship in international waters, we should sent a extra taskforce to back up the Excelsior, get our dead crews bodys and prepare for full retailiation"
Daniel thoruhgt for a minute "Ok send the Intrepid and her battlegroup to back up the Excelsiior"
"Mr President, thats two Carrier groups for one place, we'll be shorthanded elsewhere" Forreest commented.
"The Preatorians launching today?" Daniel asked
"Yes sir"
"we'll have to postpone her mission and put her were the Intrepid was meant to be"

<RBS Excelsior>

"Alright Johnstone, launch Hawkeye squadron for air patrol along the border" Alex ordered. Mintues later, four F28's were in the air.

ooc: will post soon. i just deleted my entire response (grrr). also, BH, the ship was sunk in my territorial waters, NOT in international waters.

OOC: I know, but my navy thinks it was international waters

<Battlehawk embassy in Rammsteinburg>

"Mr Ambassador" Jonathans aide said as he fell into step "We're receiving a phone call directly from the top.
Jonatahns eyebrows shotupwards, he put the hands free into his ear and spoke to his secrety
"Ok, put him on" He said as headed for his office.
"Yes sir?" Jonathan sad as hte call connected

"Good afternoon, Mr. Archer," the President-General said. Being a no-nonsense, get straight to business sort of man, he jumped over the normal pleasantries and said, quite frankly, "What in the world just happened between you and the Free United States? Your country seems to be having an issue with finding yourself in sticky situations lately. Don't get me wrong, though, this is by no means an insult. I just want some clarification."

Commonwealth Defense Directorate

"It is the conclusion of the Directorate," read the Premier. Ramius and her subordinates were standing with her at attention.

"That the actions of the officers and crew on the 28th of November, in the year of the Common Era 2008, were wholly in concordance with standing orders of the Maritime Forces and under the express sense of duty to the protection of the Motherland. The evidence supporting that the vessel was transporting illicit drugs is indisputable. The Sea Dawn is hereby awarded the Unit Citation of Valor for their actions, and Captain Ramius, it is our sincere joy to bestow upon you the Order of the Red Star."

On the jet back to Nord Cilla, Miranda still couldn't believe what had just happened. She figured they'd reprimand her, at the worst, strip her of command. But that hadn't happened. Her actions had actually been rewarded. She sighed and looked out of the window. The rolling plains of gold underneath were like a yellow ocean, and it gave her a yearning for her own ship. Orders were to be underway immediately and join the Boudicca Task Force. She sighed and looked away from the window.


FSS Boudicca's Revenge CVNA-56

The carrier's deck was a flurry of activity. Two F-14Ds launched from the forward catapults as two more launched from the aft. From the hangar deck, four Rafale-Ms were brought up and readied to launch. The fighters were launched as a counter to the launch of the hostile ship's own aircraft.

ooc: what kind of carrier is yours, BH?

OOC: Check there http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14090087#post14090087

<RBS Excelsior>

"Captain sir, they're launching fighterd" Thompson reported
"To be expected" Alex commented "Make sure our fighters stay on this side of the border"
"Yes sir"

<Battlehawk Embassy>

"From what information I'vve been given; it appears that one of the Battelhawks cargo ships, the MV Tomorrow, carrying medica supplies was sunk by the commonwealth" Jonathan replied "Our GPS has shown us that the Tomorrow started on the Internatioal side and drifted into their waters durin the battle"

"Uh huh. Well, Mr. Archer, I'm going to want a little more information. If you could contact your superiors and get the details for me, that'd be wonderful. In the meantime, I will conduct my own investigation. I'll talk to you later, I suppose. Goodbye." The President-General disconnected the line, but did not put the receiver down--there were more calls to be made. He told his secretary to connect him with Dr. Kohlberg, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. After that he would speak some more to JMIC, as well as the Special Intelligence Service, Rammsteinburg's main foreign intelligence agency. And the representatives at the Grand Warlord Alliance would need to be briefed, as well, Admiral Emmerich realized as he listened to the ringing of the phone as it waited for a response by Dr. Kohlberg.

<MMC>

"Mr President, we're receiving a call from the Ambassador to Rammstienburg" General Crusie reported.
"Lets hear him"
"Mr President" Jonathan said.
"Morning Jonh, whats going on over there"
"Their president-general wants to know whats going on with out frighters"
"Ok, i'd better fill you in..."

http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq27/Rammsteinburg/Headings/ForeignAffairs.jpg
To: Government of the Free United States

It has come to our attention that you are presently engaged in a conflict with one of our allies, The Republic of the Battlehawk. In the interest of fairness we wish to hear your side of the story. Please respond immediately.

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

Office of the Commonwealth Defense Directorate
Breer Hill, Meridian City, CFUS

TO: Rammsteinburg government
RE: Request for Information regarding current incidents

>>The Following is the official communique released to the Republic of the Battlehawk. Further investigation has supported our claims that drugs were onboard the vessel. This evidence will be offered for review should either government wish it.

At approximately 1430 hours Commonwealth Mean Time, an unknown freighter, of unknown origin and without proper markings, passed into the territorial waters of the Commonwealth, 3 nm NNE of Nord Cilla. Upon inspection by a coastal patrol vessel, the unknown freighter was found to be carrying 1.5 tons of illicit drugs. There are samples available for inquiry, salvaged from the wreck. The crew fired upon and killed the inspectors, after which the vessel tried to escape our waters. A nearby frigate, the FSS Sea Dawn fired warning shots, recieved no answer to hails, and was fired on with several RPGs. The Maritime Directorate authorized the use of force, and the vessel was sunk by a missile from the frigate.

The Commonwealth will take any means to defend its citizens from the effects of illegal and illicit drug sales and trafficking.

From: Rammsteinburg Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: Government of The Free United States

We are interested in reviewing any evidence you have to offer as soon as possible. However, we would also like to conduct an independent investigation of the wreckage.

Let it be known that The Great Warlord Republic acknowledges the rights of the commonwealth and will maintain neutrality for the time being. We have no hostile intentions and will only become involved in this conflict if necessary.

Office of the Commonwealth Defense Directorate
Breer Hill, Meridian City, CFUS

A vessel will be allowed passage into our waters to conduct a diving expedition. However, the dive will be accompanied by Maritime Defense Force divers to monitor their actions. Any agression taken within these waters will be seen as a hostile act upon the Commonwealth.

The salvaged material is currently in lock-up at the Nord Cilla Federal Detainment Building. A team will be allowed access, though we will supply transport and escort to and from the facility.

From: Rammsteinburg Ministry of Foreign Affairs
To: Government of The Free United States

Thank you for allowing us this access. I assure you that no hostile actions will be taken. We will send an unarmed vessel into to your waters to conduct the diving expedition. A small escort of three Burke class destroyers and one Manticore class cruiser will follow it to the border of your territorial waters, at which point it will venture off on its own. We trust that the men on board, who will NOT be armed, will be safe. A team of experienced investigators from our Ministry of War Criminal Investigations Unit will be on board awaiting transportation to the Nord Cilla Federal Detainment Building.

Thank you again for your cooperation. In light of current events such actions are highly commendable. Rammsteinburg sincerely hopes that a peaceful resolution to this conflict can be obtained.

"So let me get this straight, someone authorized a bribery and thereby theft of a Battlehawk vessel, the MV Tomorrow if the records are correct, and then they proceeded to try and smuggle millions of dollars worth of drugs past Commonwealth security?"

Inside the Montana Inc World Headquarters many meetings occurred behind closed doors, often times with the best anti-bugging equipment working to its fullest. Simply because the MBSA and Montana had an understanding, didn't mean that they would trust each other, and when it came to the hush hush aspects of both, knowledge was power.

"Yes Mr. Montana."

"I swear you cannot find good help anymore. You allow a few promotions and then one of those fuck ups allows someone to try and sneak through coast guard. Doesn't anyone try and play by the rules anymore? You set up a bribed network, or use the proper paperwork."

He looked over the report more carefully.

"See like this, labeling it medical supplies, that was a good idea, the bad idea was shooting the inspectors, or hell, allowing them to come aboard. Then firing on a vessel that could sink them. Thank god that damn Captain is dead, if he wasn't I would teach him a thing or two. Is there any way they can trace it back to us?"

"Unlikely Mr. Montana, while the drugs were mostly grown in Paradisa there are shipments out of there for nearly everything all the time, we just have to make a quick piracy report, saying X tons of medical cocaine were stolen, and if anyone figures out where it was made, we can say it was on route to a legal buyer and got stolen by pirates. The ocean is a big place, bust seeing as The Battlehawk nation is looking at going to war over this, incident, the drugs will probably be overlooked as the Commonwealth prepares for war."

"Good keep us out of the spotlight."

"Will do Mr. Montana"

"Mr President" Air Marshal Johnson spoke up
"Yes?" Daniel asked
"If theu are claiming that there was drugs on the ship, we should send a Gamma force team to take a look"
"Thats not a bad idea" Daniel commented
"Have The Intrepid launched a Herculies with a team of Gamma force on them, keep above radar

ooc: are the investigators on the ship, too?

ic:

Even as the plane landed, Miranda was rushed to get aboard. The Sea Dawn had to be back out soon, it's helicopter transporting the diving team to the destroyer Jean Laffite so it could meet the incoming inspectors in time.

OOC: It's my team of Spec Fors, I'm considering sending Spec fors to investigate the 'Drugs'

ooc: are the investigators on the ship, too?


OOC: the ship will have the diver investigators, as well as the ones who will examine what you salvaged and have locked up.

ooc: the inspection was only extended to rammstein...

OOC: Exactly

The Manticore class cruiser RNS Bowie left the Advanced Strike Group of 7th Expeditionary Fleet to rendezvous with three Burke class destroyers and a small unarmed vessel belonging to the Ministry of War's Criminal Investigations Unit, already on their way to The Free United States. Traveling at 30 knots the Bowie would reach them in the next half hour. So far nobody knew what was going on--except for the group of investigators on board the CIU ship, but they were keeping silent about their mission.

OOC: where approximately is FSU located relative to RL countries, so I can provide an accurate time it takes to reach there?

The UH-60 launched from the deck of the carrier, heading for the Rammsteinburg vessel. As they crossed the borderline, the pilot radioed in.

"Rammstinburg vessel, this is Super 6-4, to transport your investigative team to Nord Cilla, we are unarmed. Requesting landing instructions."

ooc: roughly, russia or the baltic.

A Battlehawk Herculies was flying very high as it headed for the Commonwealth. Aboard was the elite Gamma Force team Delta. they were preparing to parachute down.

The radar onboard the lead wing of the F-14 formation chirped.

"We got a contact coming in," the RIO reported.

"Got it on mine too," his pilot responded.

"Doesn't look like a patrol; not squaking IFF, will breech our airspace in...2 minutes."

"Roger, let's say howdy," the pilot said.

The fighters banked in unison, turning to meet the intruder.

"Uknown craft, change course 180, you are approaching Commonwealth airspace," the lead pilot radioed. "Repeat, you must divert and respond IFF, turn course 180."

OOC: Rammsteinburg is in the South Pacific, near RL Australia and New Zealand. To save time I'll say the 7th Expeditionary Fleet was halfway in between our countries at the time. The CIU ship will have come from a field office in a Rammsteinburgian colony.

And Battlehawk, I am your ally, man. Do you not trust me to conduct a proper investigation? You're just risking escalating this situation.

IC:

Herald Volkinov skippered MOW-75, the vessel which carried the investigators. Volkinov, a former Fregattenkapitän (Commander) in the Kriegsmarine, he had been serving his country at sea for 27 years. In all that time he had never trusted the men from the Ministry of War's Criminal Investigations Unit. He looked upon them in the way police officers look at Internal Affairs. He wondered what in the hell those guys needed to be doing in the Free United States. Rammsteinburg had never dealt with that country before -- why now all of a sudden? Of all the people for The Great Warlord Republic to send why criminal investigators? This was bizarre. Of course, he knew not to question orders and reluctantly provided the men transportation.

The message from the UH-60 reached MOW-75. Volkinov had a message sent back, informing them that there was a large enough flight deck to land the helicopter on the frigate-sized vessel.

OOC: The Battlehawks not been informed, I trust you but I don't know, if you respond in time I can abor the drop. I'll wait to post itll after you inform

OOC: The Battlehawks not been informed, I trust you but I don't know, if you respond in time I can abor the drop. I'll wait to post itll after you inform
http://i430.photobucket.com/albums/qq27/Rammsteinburg/Headings/ForeignAffairs.jpg

We are currently preparing to investigate the wreckage of the sunken freighter.

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

<MMC>
"Mr President, the Rammsteinburg has just reported that they are are going in to investigate the wrekage" Johnson reportede
"SHit, pull the Herculies off!"

<Herculeis>

"We've jus been clocked" The Pilot commented
"Thats good cause we've just received orders to abort"
"Oh in that case turn us around, pronto"
The Hurculies banked and turned just short of commonwealth airspace and headed back to teh Intrepid that had just arrived near the Excelsior

RNS Bowie joined MOW-75 and its escorts 100 miles southwest of the Straits of Gibraltar.

The fighters broke off their pursuit, heading back to their designated orbit just as they had been ready to launch missiles. Onboard one of the frigates, a Yak-41M was getting ready for standby for launch.

bumpity...?

The convoy reached the border of Free United States territorial waters and MOW-75 ventured out on its own.

The FSS Blade of Dawn moved to come alongside the MOW-75. It escorted the ship to the wreckage site, which was cordoned off by the two cruisers. Already, the Commonwealth dive teams were setting up, as the Blackhawk landed on the deck, ready to ferry the inspection team. Several sailors not on duty were on deck to watch the foreign vessel, their curiosity piqued.

Antonio was doing his best to run a multinational corporation, and little incidents like his drugs, grown in Mokastana, now being inspected by the commonwealth of FUS were not making the job any easier. Looking over the reports with his well trusted and small personal staff they quietly tried to form a plan. IN the backround a TV showed some international news agency as some reporter claimed to have information that a Battlehawk plane nearly entered commonwealth airspace without clearance.

"Hmm, the situation does seem to be mounting....perhaps we can offer it a little....push. Any known pirates in the area?"

Montana Inc had occasionally hired pirates here and there, quietly of course, to do the small things like take out a competitors shipping lane...or to simply make a distraction away from what was really happening.

"Let's see, the Mediterranean..." one of his staff began looking over a list he kept hidden on his PDA. "hmm, there seems to be one cell still active, unfortunately with recent crackdowns on piracy they are hard to contact, and will probably want a big paycheck."

"If that shipment gets back to us then we may have to pay more. Find them, and tell them that I want them to do a few attacks on Commonwealth and Battlehawk positions in the area. Make them look instigated by the other side. See if we can't get some chaos brewing."

ooc: just fyi, my forces are somewhat 'seasoned' against pirates against blackhelm

ic:

FSS Sea Dawn

"All lines cleared, tethers away," reported a bridge officer.

"Roger; Helm, bring us out," Captain Ramius ordered.

"Aye," the helmsman said. Small electric thrusters on the sides pushed the destroyer away from its berth as the powerful screws began to turn. "Making revolutions for 1/4 speed."

"Captain, orders are to provide a 50 mile cordon of the area," her XO reminded her. "I suggest we make the following course changes," he handed her a notepad.

"Roger that," Ramius said after reviewing it. "We'll be working with the frigate Sea Blossom. Contact them once we begin our run."

"Aye, ma'am."

The Balkan's Fury, a Osa Class missile boat, had received a message from the home port, for pirates on the high seas, at least these pirate, keeping tabs on shipping around the high seas was very important, but radar was to expensive and to easily destroyed, so most intel came from informants inside the local navies and businesses. They got to keep their families, and the pirates got their bounty.

This small group was often called the Balkan's Clan, they had barely a few ships, but enough to cause trouble on the seas. Three Komars, two Osas and one Tarantual that cost then quite a bit. In addition to these they had a few river based gun boats for running down slow rich ships.

"The message request that we raise the Commonwealth flag and engage a Battlehawk or Rammsteinburg ship. Sinking it preferred. Bounty will be delivered on return to port." The captian turned to his crew, "Sounds like we got ourselves a job. Lets go!"

<Millitry Command Centre>

"Captain Munro, whats your Tactical status?" Daniel asked
"Relativly strong sir" Alex replied over a vid-com link "We've got to Carrier Battlegroups out here, we'vve got Combat Air Patrols up at all times and our destroyers and cruisers are keeping an eye out"
"OK Captain, keep and eye out and don't get dead"
"Yes Mr President" Alex grinned "Excelsior out"

<RBS Excelsior>

"The Rammsteinburgians have entered their waters"
"Ok keep an eye out"

The Sea Dawn had made it on station and begun it's patrol. IT kept well inside Commonwealth waters, but there was no mistaking the attention it was paying to the Battlehawk vessels. A pair of fighters zoomed far overhead, seemingly with the same thought. They also monitored the Rammsteinburg vessels, making sure these allies of their hostile visitors were on the up and up.

Balkan's Fury rode out into the sea, looking for a fight to pick. Being a small missile boat amongst naval powers almost seemed like suicide, but that was life for the Balkan's Clan. Only this time there were two hostile fleets and if they started shooting each other then the Clan would get enough funding to get up to date warships, enough of this 1960s crap, they might get real warships, boats capable of running down luxury liners, and maybe even be able to defend themselves against the Commonwealth navy. That would be the day...

The captain came back from daydreaming when a crew member pointed out a long range radar target. One of the foreign vessels was going to be in range, so far from the enemy ships reactions they had not been noticed.


Only a few more kilometers till they would be within firing range.

ooc: idk if this is even still alive. no reply from battle hawk of rammstein...

ic:

The radar controller of the Sea Dawn thought she saw something, low on the horizon, heading perpendicular to the Battlehawk ships. In a second, it was gone, and she attributed it to wave distortion.

WHAT A RIPOFF (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=570390)

WHAT A RIPOFF (http://www.forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=570390)
ooc: did you even read the last page and a half. calm down, ass.

<Skies above the area>

Flt Lt Thomas Jackson looked down onto the sea. The Battlehawk ships could clearly be seen and the commonwealth ships held postion on the other side of the border. He banked his Talon round to patrol the other way when he saw a glint of sunlight on steel and frowned.
"Foxtrot three to foxtrot one, i've got something at my three O'Clock, I'm going down to check it out" Thomas reported as he headed downwards towards the glint

bump

Bump

ooc: sorry, kept meaning to reply. do you want to make the investigators yours, since rammstein hasn't been around?

ic:

The nearby F-14s saw the aircraft divert its course, and similarly did so, following along their own borderline. If something interested them, it obviously interested the Commonwealth.

On the decks of the surveying cruisers, the crews watched as the Commonwealth dive team descended into the depths.

OCC: Send a request to me and I'll send a team

J

ooc: well, i mean, the team is technically already there, just make them yours instead is what i meant...

ic:

The UH-60 hovered just minutes away from the Battlehawk ship, awaiting clearance to land.

OOC: OK

IC

"Captain, Commonwealth helicoptor just crossed the border, requesting permission to land"
"Ok, give them clearence, I want a missle lock on them at all times" Alex replied

The helicopter, completely unarmed, landed lightly on the deck. The crewchief swung the door open and awaited the investigation team.

"Welcome aboard," he told them, "The Commonwealth dive team is awaiting you, off the deck of the cruiser Pax Mare."

The Inspection team, all Battlehawk Marines, climbed aboard

With the team onboard, the helicopter lifted off, heading back to the cordoned area.

"Short Bus/Battlestar, heading to Pax Mare to drop off Battlehawk team," the pilot radioed.

"Battlestar/Short Bus, roger that. Clear traffic all the way to Pax Mare."

"Short Bus out."

The helicopter nosed forward, passed the demaraction line and into Commonwealth waters. A few miles out, a Blackhawk gunship hovered in a protective arch as Short Bus landed on the cruiser.

"Thanks for ridin'," the crewchief said, opening the door again. "The teams already in, but are waiting for you before beginning their dive."

Balkan's Fury

"Target in range. Preparing launch sequence!"

"Remember this is an in and out operation. Fire and get out!"

The pirates talked amongst themselves trying to sound like a real naval crew. Unfortunately their lack of training combined with lack of knowing proper terminology resulted in what would be a poor strike, but they had the element of surprise.

At about 76 km out from one of the outer ring ships of the Battlehawk Fleet two P-15s launched from the small vessel towards a single Battlehawk ship.

"Missiles Away!"

"Now what?"

"umm, I am not sure...."

<Tom Jacksons fighter>

"Holy shit, they just launched against the fleet" Tom exclaimed down the comlink "RBS Excelsior this is foxtrot four, BRUISER launch, twelve miles southwest of bullseye, Request permission to engage"

<RBS Ecelsior>

"Bruiser launch confirmed Captain" Johnson reported.
"Shit, whats the target?" Alex asked
"Appears to RBS Stronghold" Johnson checked
"Foxtrot four, Id that SOB and engage with extreme prejudice, foxtrot squadron, move to assist" Alex ordered "And get me the MCC!"

<<Tom Jacksons fighter>

"Understood" Tom said as he dipped down till he was a few metres off the water and sped past the enemy ship "OH my god!"

<RBS Stronghold>

"Captain Sir, this AMM's are offline, their going to hit" Strongholds TAC off reported
"All hands brace for impact!"
The Two missiles slammed into the Stronghold.
"Captain sir, hits fore and aft, at the waterline we're taking on water"
"Get enginnering teams down there now!"

<MCC>

"MR PRESIDENT!" Admiral Forrest shouted from the other sdie of the room
"Yes?"
"Munro's reporting that the RBS Stronghold has been hit by two missiles, unknown...wait we're getting a live transmission, " Forrest reported "On screen now"
"Mr president sir, on of my Talons has reported that the ship that engaged the Stronghold was bearing Commonwealth coulours!"
"What!"

<RBS Stronghold>

"Go to emergency backups" The Ships captain ordered.
"Captain, we're now listing 16 degrees to the sturn"
"Alright, all hands abandon ship, lets go!"

<MCC>

"IT's just been confirmed by the other Talons, it was a commonwealth ship, they are maintaining orbit and requesting permission to...my god, sir, the Strongholds CO has ordered an abandon ship" Alex continued.
"Sink that ship, launch all fighters and prepare to cross the border, have all ships go to ready status, DRS level one now active, assume we're at war"

<<Tom Jacksons fighter>

"Hawkeye squadron, you are cleared, weapons hot" Alex ordered.
"Lets sink these bastards" Foxtrot one ordered
The Foxtrot one Talons turned to the ship and all locked missiles and fired.

<Inspection teams chopper>

"What the hell was that!" The team leader excalimed as an explosion was heard

FSS Boudicca's Revenge

"Multiple fast-movers, low on the horizon," the radar officer warned. A second later, "Vampire, Vampire, multiple contact confirmed."

"Estimated impact?" the TAO asked.

"They're not headed in our direction!"

"Then...where..?" the TAO wondered as the first impacted the Battlehawk ship. "What the-who's closest out there?!"

"Sea Dawn, sir," the radar tech answered.

"Raise them now!"

Sea Dawn

"Captain, message from Battlestar," the Comm officer replied. "Intercept missiles."

"Aye, Weaps, target those incoming missiles and fire!"

The Sea Dawn was roughly southwest of the trajectory of the missiles, far out to really do anything, but close enough to do something.

"Fire needlemines!" Captain Ramius ordered.

Casemates on the deck of the destroyer opened, firing rockets into the path of the incoming missiles. They burst, spreading chaff and fragmentation shrapnel into the air.

Short Bus

"We don't know!" the crewchief answered the inspection team. "The Comm net just went crazy, something about a missile!"

Twenty Four F28 Talons flew towards the border, six more were destroying the commonwealth pseudo ship. The Talons were minutes from crossing.

<RBS Excelsior>

"What are they doing?" Alex asked
"They appear to be firing flair and chaff in front of the second wave of missiles"
"Why would they be doing that, they engaged us
"I don't know sir

<short Bus>

The team leader listened to his earpeice, as did the others and as one drew their hidden weapons. Resulting in a standoff

"Hey, what the-?" the crewchief asked. As ordered, even their sidearms were gone.

"Short Bus/Battlestar, we've got a situation," the pilot radioed.

FSS Boudicca's Revenge

The ship that fired had been destroyed by the Battlehawk forces, and now there seemed to be a problem with the inspection team.

"What the hell?" Admiral Padorin asked. "We instructed them to be unarmed..."

"Gamma Force protocal" The leader said "Never go into another nations terriorty without weapons"
"We'll throw them out of the aircraft when we know exactly why one of our cruisers has just been sunk by a commonwealth ship" The 2IC said

"You guys insane?" the crewchief asked, incredulous. "We allowed you to peacefully enter our territory. Why they hell would we do that?"

"Short Bus/Battlestar, declaring an emergency!" the pilot radioed. "Short Bus is compromised!"

"You've already sunk one of our mercehnt vessels, and now you'vve sunk one of our cruiser" The team leader said "It was just a precaution though"
"Get off the damn radio" The 2IC demanded "And turn us around"

Balkan's Fury

"Captain, they are firing back! What do we do?"

"They weren't suppose to do that! Turn and run...wait, fire the other two missiles then run!"

"Aye captian!"

The small missile boat let loose the other two P-15s on board and began to turn and run away from the incoming missiles. Sadly there was no way that the old boat from the 1960's would be able to survive any modern weapons. Especially aircraft based ones.

"Captain we are about to be blown to hell! Abandon ship!"


The Captain pulled out his pistol and shot the man who just yelled that.

"No one give orders but me! NOW, ABANDON SHIP!"


The small crew began fighting for the life boats when the first missile struck near the engine, tearing the small craft apart. Only seconds later a second struck what remained of the vessel.

Needless to say the odds of someone surviving was close to none...


Montana World Headquarters, 20 minutes later


"Mr. Montana, a Commonwealth vessel has just engaged Battlehawk ships and both the Vessel and one Battlehawk cruiser was sunk."

Antonio sat at his chair chuckling slightly to himself once he heard the news.

"You can always count on pirates to betray their own kind for the right price. Tell our lovely contact that the money and ships will be shipped within the week. He can expect cash, flown in, in Universal Standard Dollars, i assume we have a usual meeting spot with them?"

"Yes"

"Good, make it happen, start phase two."

"yes Mr. Montana"

"You've already sunk one of our mercehnt vessels, and now you'vve sunk one of our cruiser" The team leader said "It was just a precaution though"
"Get off the damn radio" The 2IC demanded "And turn us around"
"Shoot me and see how long the flight lasts," the pilot replied. "Battlestar, we need help!"

"You're really gonna shoot us unarmed, in coldblood?" the Chief asked. "And our ship tried to protect yours, or were you listening to different comm traffic?"

Sea Dawn

"Enemy ship confirmed sunk," the TAO replied.

"Good, bring us to bear on it, helm, take us about and away from the Battlehawk ships."

FSS Boudicca's Revenge

"Back our ships away from their forces," Admiral Padorin ordered. "Set general quarters throughout the fleet and get another helicopter up there!"

From the decks of the Pax Mare a second Blackhawk was readied, this time with a squad of Marines. They took off quickly for their commandeered fellows.

"Your ship did what?" The Team leader asked before getting on his radio "Titan one to Excelsior, we've got a situation out here"
"Don't test me" The 2IC "Turn the helicoptor around"

<RBS Excelsior>

"What do you mean you've drawn your weapons, hell you weren't even meant to have them on you!" Alex snapped
"They sunk one of our ships" The team leader replied.
"SHIT, right this ends now" Alex said "Johnson, stand down the weapons, spread the fleet along the border and have the Talons hold back, we're going across the border alone and defenceless, anyone who doesn't want to be part of this get to another ship quickly, and come back aboard when we return"

<Aboard the heli>

"YOUR DOING WHAT!" The team leader excalimed "They'll sink you the minute you cross the border"
"It's teh only chance we've got" Alex replied "Ask the pilot nicely to drop you of on the excelsior"
The team leader sighed, holstered his weapon and relayed the message.

"Your ship did what?" The Team leader asked before getting on his radio "Titan one to Excelsior, we've got a situation out here"
"Don't test me" The 2IC "Turn the helicoptor around"

<RBS Excelsior>

"What do you mean you've drawn your weapons, hell you weren't even meant to have them on you!" Alex snapped
"They sunk one of our ships" The team leader replied.
"SHIT, right this ends now" Alex said "Johnson, stand down the weapons, spread the fleet along the border and have the Talons hold back, we're going across the border alone and defenceless, anyone who doesn't want to be part of this get to another ship quickly, and come back aboard when we return"

<Aboard the heli>

"YOUR DOING WHAT!" The team leader excalimed "They'll sink you the minute you cross the border"
"It's teh only chance we've got" Alex replied "Ask the pilot nicely to drop you of on the excelsior"
The team leader sighed, holstered his weapon and relayed the message.
"Short Bus/Battlestar, please advise," the pilot requested after informing them of the latest development.

"Battlestar/Short Bus, follow their request and land on the Excelsior," the comm officer relayed to them. "Blackhawk will escort you to the ship and hold station.


FSS Boudicca's Revenge

On the deck, four Rafale's were prepared to sortie should the Battlehawk forces again decieve them. The fighters were decked out with four Exocet missiles each.

"Raise the fleet," Padorin ordered. "Tell them to not fire on the vessel unless instructed to."


FSS Sea Dawn

Recieving their orders, the destroyer prepared its forward battery to fire if necessary.



As both fleets faced off, Short Bus approached the Excelsior, signaling its preparation to land and awaiting instructions.

"ALEX!" Commander Jessica Standfod, teh Ships XO shouted "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!"
Alex was climbing up the conn tower of the excelsior with a big roll of meteral, he simply turned and smiled. He reached the top and fiddled around with teh harlyads on the flag pole and placed the matereal on and hoisted it up. Underneath the battlehawk Navy Ensign a international flag of truce appeared, just to make sure there was no misunderstandings as the Blackhawk approched.
Alex grabbed hold of the safetly rope and absalyed back down.
"You idiot" Jessica scolded "That was foolish, this entire thing is foolish"
"Indeed, how much of the crew have departed?" ALex asked
"None"
"Excellent, get our Gamma force back on the deck" Alex ordered, Jessica nodded and Jessica signled up to the conn tower to let them land. The Excelsior entered Commonwealth waters.

The Blackhawk peeled away from Short Bus, allowing the unarmed helicopter to land.

"Well, I can't say it's been a pleasure," the crew chief said as he opened the hatch.

"Of course not" The teamleader said jumping out followed by his tram

"Of course not" The teamleader said jumping out followed by his tram
The Blackhawk took off as soon as the last Marine had gotten his foot out the door. The crew chief wasted no time in flipping them the bird.

"Well, that isn't helping matters," the co-pilot joked.

"I gotta agree," said the pilot as he powered the helicopter as fast as it could towards their ship.

"Eh, they started it," shrugged the chief.

FSS Boudicca's Revenge

The fighters were placed on stand-by alert, and Admiral Padorin scanned the display boards, measuring his next move like a game of chess.

"Contact the Defense Directorate," he ordered, "We'll need to discuss the latest development."

"Aye, Comrade-Admiral," the Comm officer acknowledged.

"Looks like they're keeping up relations" Team leader grined as they walked along the flight deck.

<On the Bridge>

"What now?" Jessica asked.
"I'm not sure, we'll have to wait and see" Alex admitted

"Looks like they're keeping up relations" Team leader grined as they walked along the flight deck.

<On the Bridge>

"What now?" Jessica asked.
"I'm not sure, we'll have to wait and see" Alex admitted
FSS Boudicca's Revenge

"Have the Sea Dawn bring itself to the front," the Admiral said, "And have our larger frigates and cruisers pull back. Maybe this can end with the ship that ended it all." He looked over at the radar display, "And have them send a message to the ship..."

FSS Sea Dawn

The ship had acknowledged its orders, and was facing off with the Excelsior along the Commonwealth line. With an order from Captain Ramius, the message was relayed through signal lamp.

C-O-M-M-A-N-D R-E-Q-U-E-S-TS M-U-T-U-A-L S-T-A-N-D-D-O-W-N T-O I-N-V-E-S-T-I-G-A-T-E I-N-C-I-D-E-N-T.

Tenions were high on the Excelsior as the message was relayed to the Captain
"Well, here we are then ladies and gents" Alex muttered, "Send this message".

E-X-C-E-L-S-I-O-R-A-G-R-E-E-S-S-W-I-T-C-H-T-O-C-O-M-M-C-H-A-N-N-E-E-Z-E-R-0-T-W-O-Z-E-R-O.

Tenions were high on the Excelsior as the message was relayed to the Captain
"Well, here we are then ladies and gents" Alex muttered, "Send this message".

E-X-C-E-L-S-I-O-R-A-G-R-E-E-S-S-W-I-T-C-H-T-O-C-O-M-M-C-H-A-N-N-E-E-Z-E-R-0-T-W-O-Z-E-R-O.
"Comm, switch to that frequency," Captain Ramius ordered.

"Aye, sir. Switching to channel 020."

Ramius picked up the handset, switching on the mike before clearing her throat.

"This is Captain Ramius of the Commonwealth Defense Ship Sea Dawn to the captain of the vessel we are facing, acknowledge." With that, she awaited a response.

"Captain Ramius, this is Captain Munro of the Republic of Battlehawk Ship Excelsior" Alex responded

"Captain Ramius, this is Captain Munro of the Republic of Battlehawk Ship Excelsior" Alex responded
"Greetings Captain Munro," Ramius answered. "Though I wish it were under better circumstances. We have been ordered to investigate the ship that fired upon your fleet; a ship which has no registry within the Defense Fleet and is not a type used by our forces. Would you be willing to exercise a joint investigation, with only our two ships and no other forces from either fleets?"

"We would be willing Captain Ramius" Alex replied

"That's good to hear," Ramius acknowledged. "Bring your ship alongside at 50 meters. We'll make for the site at 10 knots."

Alex turned to helm "Pull along side, ten knots"

Alex turned to helm "Pull along side, ten knots"
A crewman on deck watched as the Excelsior pulled alongside. He'd never been this close to a foreign vessel before, and wondered about it. They seemed so hostile one minute, and downright diplomatic the next...

Bridge

"Well, one down," Ramius told her XO.

"Yes, and about a thousand to go," Lt. Breshnye said.

"In any case, get the submersible ready. It's crewed by four so...two will be ours and two will be theirs."

"Sir, is that really-?" Lt. Craunau began.

"We have to show it wasn't us." Ramius concluded, picking up the mike. "Captain Munro, our rescue submersible is ready for the dive. We will send down two of our officers to operate it, and are inviting two of your own to accompany them."

"Very well, we'll send two over" Alex replied closing the link "Jess, your with me"
"Captain, we can't have you going in there" Johnson excalimed
"They'll think it's a trap unless I'm aboard" Alex replied "Get a launch ready"

"Very well, we'll send two over" Alex replied closing the link "Jess, your with me"
"Captain, we can't have you going in there" Johnson excalimed
"They'll think it's a trap unless I'm aboard" Alex replied "Get a launch ready"
"Sir," her XO said as he observed the launch getting ready, "I think their captain is coming over..."

"What?" Ramius asked, using her own binoculors to see. "In that case...only the pilot needs to get ready. I will be our second observer."

"Captain, I don't have to remind you that it is against regs for a commanding officer to leave the ship on an exploratory expedition," Breshnye said.

"No, you don't," she answered, "You have the bridge," Ramius said as she left.

"Aye, sir," he answered.

---------

On the deck, Ramius awaited the launch to come over as crewmen were prepared to secure lines.

"Hey alex" Jessica said softly as Alex threw up the mooring lines "Their Captains coming down as well"

"Hey alex" Jessica said softly as Alex threw up the mooring lines "Their Captains coming down as well"
Ramius waited until the captain was aboard. She smiled a bit as the Master Chief bellowed, "Captain on deck!" The crew not securing the launch snapped to attention.

"Captain Munro," Ramius stepped forward, "Welcome aboard the Sea Dawn."

ooc: what's munro's rank?

OOC: Commodore, he's just been given command of a large battlegroup and is pending a promption to admiral

"Thank you Captain" Alex said as he stood up straighter, now off the launch

OOC: Commodore, he's just been given command of a large battlegroup and is pending a promption to admiral

"Thank you Captain" Alex said as he stood up straighter, now off the launch
ooc: he or she? i thought you used 'she'...but i could be wrong

ic:

"If you follow me aft, the submersible is ready to be underway," Ramius said invitingly.

OOC: He, sorry for any misunterstandings

"Of course Captain" Alex said

OOC: He, sorry for any misunterstandings

"Of course Captain" Alex said
A crewman was exiting the hatch as they approached. He snapped to attention, but Ramius was quick to tell him 'at ease.'

"This is Master Chief Gregovich," she introduced him. "He will be piloting us today."

"That's correct, Comrade-Captain," he answered, "We are ready for launch."

"Lead the way please," Ramius replied, gesturing with her hand. Nodding, Gregovich swung open the hatch and led them into the cramped quarters.

"Sonar shows the vessel fell into an underwater trench, so the journey will take about...fifteen minutes at least." Gregovich explained as he got into the pilot's seat. As the hatch was sealed, the sub began to move as a large winch brought it up.

ooc: ok. commodore is equal to vice-admiral lower, right?

OOC: Yep

"Do all of your ships have one of these?" Jessica asked interested

OOC: Yep

"Do all of your ships have one of these?" Jessica asked interested
"Only certain destroyers and frigates," Ramius answered. "Most are equipped with a UH-60 Seawhawk for ASW or a Yak-41M for anti-ship duties," she explained.

"Sea Dawn, we are away," Gregovich said as there was a large 'thunk' from above as the umbilicals released. "We are now beginning our descent."

"Roger, Coral," a voice from the bridge-Lt. Breshnye-said. "Take care of the Captain."

"Er, yessir," Gregovich replied.

"Most of our non-carriers, carry Blackhawks" Alex commented

"Most of our non-carriers, carry Blackhawks" Alex commented
"Like I said, most of our ships do carry something other than subs," Ramius replied. "But there are some marked specially for these tasks," she said.

skip ten minutes...

"Sirs, we're coming towards the vessel now," Gregovich informed them. "Beginning active sonar...activating external lights."

The murky depths were lit up, and far below, beneath the waters, an outline of a ship could be seen, broken up, as it were, from the missile strikes.

"Christ" Alex muttered "How many missiles did our Talons fire at that?"

"Christ" Alex muttered "How many missiles did our Talons fire at that?"
"We tracked several," Ramius said as the ship came into better view. The sub began to move across it, the beams of light illuminating it.

"We'll make several overhead passes before trying to send in the probe," Gregovich told them.

As they passed the stern, a waving piece of clothe could be seen.

"What is that...?" Ramius pointed.

A pair of manipulator arms touched it delicately, spreading the rectangular clothe for them to see. It was a naval ensign (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5e/Naval_Ensign_of_the_Soviet_Union_1924.svg/800px-Naval_Ensign_of_the_Soviet_Union_1924.svg.png).

"Now will you look at that"

"Now will you look at that"
"But," Ramius said..."This is the old design. It was discontinued from service in the 90s." she commented. "Look," she pointed to a pin on her lapel, "This (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Naval_Ensign_of_the_Soviet_Union.svg/450px-Naval_Ensign_of_the_Soviet_Union.svg.png) is the naval ensign of the Commonwealth. No Maritime ship would dare have the old one flying..." she explained.

"We need to find something else to clarify the ID of this ship"

"We need to find something else to clarify the ID of this ship"
"There's writing on the stern," Gregovich noted, "It reads [name of ship mokastana said]."

"That's not a name of any Maritime ship I know of..." Ramius said.

"When we get back to surface you could run it throug your database?" Jessica suggested

"When we get back to surface you could run it throug your database?" Jessica suggested
"Aye," Gregovich said. "And there's a registry, too...this is an odd number."

"I've seen these markings before..." Ramius said. "When we had trouble with privateers a few months ago. These are pirate insignia."

"Pirates?" Jessica pondered "What would they be doing sinking one of our curisers"

"Pirates?" Jessica pondered "What would they be doing sinking one of our curisers"
"Probably instigating something," Ramius said, "Which is what almost happened..." She thought a bit, "Maybe it has something to do with the drug shipment..."

"Nothing on the frighter was drugs, at least nothing official"

ooc: will post reply late for work...

OOC: Ok

"Nothing on the frighter was drugs, at least nothing official"
"Well, let's say we make our next dive the wreckage of the freighter. That way your doubts can be laid to rest, *Admiral," Ramius said.

*refering to 'commodore.' my forces use the US system

Alex nodded "Very well"

Alex nodded "Very well"
"Beginning ascension," Gregovich informed them, leaving the pirate ship with the mysterious ensign behind. It took about the same amount of time to get back to the Sea Dawn, which was awaiting their return where it had anchored.

"Would you prefer to stay onboard the Sea Dawn?" Ramius asked. "It would make it easier and faster to get to the freighter," she explained.

"My chief of Security will have a fit" Alex commented "But that'd be fine"

"My chief of Security will have a fit" Alex commented "But that'd be fine"
"My XO would be displeased similarly," Ramius chuckled as the Coral was brought back onboard. "Once onboard, we'll get underway. Do you want to contact your ship and let them know?"

"Better had, they'd probably shoot at you if not" Alex commented

"Better had, they'd probably shoot at you if not" Alex commented
The Coral was secured and the hatch opened.

"If you'll follow me to the bridge, you can relay the message there."

James nodded and followed

James nodded and followed
"Welcome back, Captain," Lt. Breshnye said as he greeted her and the Commodore. The entire time he had waited, not once had he assumed the command seat.

"Glad to be back," she smiled. "Commodore, this is my XO, Lieutenant Breshnye," she introduced them. She turned as they greeted, "Comm, get me an open line to the Excelsior."

"Aye, sir."

Once the line was open and the nod was given Alex Spoke to the Excelsior
"Excelsior, this is munro" He said "I'll be staying here while we go down to investigate the Freighter"
"Commodore, that is way against regulations" Paulson argued
"I know that Lt Commander, just think if we get killed you get to take command"
"Oh yea great, I'd love to explain that to command" PAulson commented "You get killed its on your ownn head, Excelsior out"

"Well that went well" Jessica commented

OOC: sorry for not posting more, it is almost finals week, and I have been busier then hell

IC:

The Balkan's Clan had sacrificed their most idiotic Captain to the Battlehawk fleets in exchange for two new hunter ships and an untold sum of money.

They were done with the contract, however if they needed it they had a few other "Captains" that they would not mind trading for money and power.


However they were not Montana's Inc primary concern, what was their concern was the people who those drugs were meant to get to. The contact was only referred to as "Ivan" weather it was a fake name or not was not important, what was important was that Nicoli now had to send an encrypted email to him explaining that the shipment was destroyed by Commonwealth forces and now they would need to find another way to ship it in country.

TO: IVAN
FROM: NICOLI

Comrade, your supply of widgets was unfortunately ruined during shipment and is considered destroyed. We are willing to ship an emergency supply, 50% of what was ordered, to be airlifted to you within the week, no charge.
Please specify how you would like it shipped.

Thank you

Once the line was open and the nod was given Alex Spoke to the Excelsior
"Excelsior, this is munro" He said "I'll be staying here while we go down to investigate the Freighter"
"Commodore, that is way against regulations" Paulson argued
"I know that Lt Commander, just think if we get killed you get to take command"
"Oh yea great, I'd love to explain that to command" PAulson commented "You get killed its on your ownn head, Excelsior out"

"Well that went well" Jessica commented
"Your comrade seems, interesting," Ramius said to him. "Comm, inform Excelsior we are ready to make way." She turned back to another station, "Helm, make for ten knots, head for the freighter site."

"Aye, Captain."


ooc: understand that. i actually have my last final in...5 hours...? pm/tg me so i can give you tips on flight paths etc...

OOC: Is that to me?

"They are at that" Alex replied "Excelsior tends to get sent to the hotspots so we need a bit of Gallows humour"

OOC: Is that to me?

"They are at that" Alex replied "Excelsior tends to get sent to the hotspots so we need a bit of Gallows humour"
ooc: no, sorry. meant that for mokastana...sorry i didn't clarify btw, i forget, what kind of ship is excelsior?

ic:

"Underway, Captain," the helm officer informed her.

"Captain," Comm said, "There's a call from NE Air Command for you."

"Oh, I'll take it in my Ready Room," she turned to Breshnye, "You have the bridge." She turned to the Commodore, "Excuse me, sir."

As the Captain left the bridge and Breshnye walked over to the command seat, he explained to the Commodore, a smug grin on his face, "Boyfriend..."

OOC: Alligence Class Aircraft Carrier, she leads a battlegroup, http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14090087#post14090087

IC:

"I see" Alex commented with a smile "Always under NE Air Command tag huh?"

OOC: Alligence Class Aircraft Carrier, she leads a battlegroup, http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=14090087#post14090087

IC:

"I see" Alex commented with a smile "Always under NE Air Command tag huh?"
"No, he's a pilot in the Air Defense Force," Breshnye said. "Third, if I remember my scuttlebutt..." he pondered. "But of course, none of us know that."

ooc: ah, like a nimitz.

OOC: Yep

"Of course not"

OOC: Yep

"Of course not"
As the destroyer led the way, the ships that had created a cordon broke away, clearing a path. The super-carrier Agamemnon's Wrath, the flagship and vessel that Admiral Padorin was on, sailed by. Over 1300+ feet long, the carrier was the largest vessel in the Commonwealth fleet. It's ships horn sounded in salute as it passed by its slightly-smaller counterpart.

The Excelsior did a similer salute

The Excelsior did a similer salute
"Padorin extends his greetings," Breshnye said, just as Captain Ramius returned. Her face was a bit flushed. "Captain on the bridge."

"At ease," she said, trying to surpress a grin that kept creeping up. "Sir," she turned to Munro, "We're only a few hundred meters until we're in position. Would you care to prep for the next dive?"

"Of course" alex nodded

"Of course" alex nodded
"Well, then," she turned back to her XO, "You're in command."

"Aye, sir," Breshnye said as Ramius led the way out of the bridge and onto the deck.


"The dive is shallower this time," she explained, "So a dive team will be accompanying us. They can go further into the ship that we can, and retrieve what is needed." She looked over at the Zodiac boat floating off the stern, "It looks like they're ready."

"if it's alright with you Captain, I'd like to go with them" Alex commented "I'm a fairly proficiant diver"

"if it's alright with you Captain, I'd like to go with them" Alex commented "I'm a fairly proficiant diver"
"If you're willing," Ramius said. "I'm sure they have extra diving equipment. She picked up a handheld device. "Breshnye, contact the dive team about one of the foreign observers joining them. I'll go along too, to maintain fairness."

Alex followed Ramius to the driving equipment

Alex followed Ramius to the driving equipment
A Zodiac had sprinted over to the destoyer, and extra equipment was being brought over for the Captain and Alex.

"Well, let's hurry then," Ramius said, kicking off her shoes and going for the belt of her uniform. She'd also started unbuttoning her top, pulling a wetsuit from a small pile. "This outta fit..."

"Hello Im Nikolai Vlniniki, today we turn to Reports of a Freighter of a Unknown Origon Sunk off the Coast of the Commonwealth. 3 Ships from the Miussian Navy have Been Sent to investigate."

James nodded and took the wetsuit

James nodded and took the wetsuit
ooc:wait, i thought his name was alex...?

ic:

Ramius showed no discretion as she changed, though the male crewmen were quick to avert their eyes. Once she'd zipped up, they breathed a bit easier.

"Ready, sir?" Ramius asked him.

OOC: Whoops, thats what happened when you try to do two things at once

IC:

"Ready" Alex replied

OOC: Whoops, thats what happened when you try to do two things at once

IC:

"Ready" Alex replied
"I'm Lieutenant Vickers," a dive team-member said. "I'll be leading you out on the Zodiac. Just listen to my instructions as we dive." He handed over their masks, "These are full-face masks, it allows us to communicate with each other via underwater radio." With that, he motioned for them to enter the boat.

Alex took in the information and got into the boat

As the Zodiac motored away from the destroyer, the lieutenant explained some of the situation to them.

"We've done two more dives," he explained, "And got it pretty mapped out. Looks like there was legitimate cargo, but the drugs were smuggled in along with those...a whole ton of it," he spoke literally.

"Alright, lets take a look at this Mess" Alex commented

"Alright, lets take a look at this Mess" Alex commented
"Masks on," Vickers said, Ramius and the other divers complying. "The dive is some 80 feet. We'll descend, then make our way towards the wreckage. There are large openings in the bow section...most likely from the missile strikes. Two divers will go in, while the others remain for standby safety. Since we have observers today, I will lead the first observer in." He turned to Alex, "I suppose that will be you?" Without acknowledgement, the other divers fell backwards into the water.

"Well, no time like the present," Ramius chuckled, donning her mask and following suit.

Alex grinned Secured his mask and got into the water

Alex grinned Secured his mask and got into the water
THe murky depths were amazingly clear of silt or debris. The powerful dive lights they'd had were displaying clear ocean all the way to the wreckage. The first inkling they recieved was the outline of a mangled prow.

"Here's the boat..." Vickers said. "Let's move aft along the starboard side...it has the safest entry." He led the way, pausing as they stopped before a massive 15 ft hole in the side of the ship. "Ready?" he asked Alex.

"Ready and waiting"

"Ready and waiting"
Vickers nodded and led the way, slowly. It was quite easy; the cargo hold was clearly accessible and intact in this section, most of the crates not close to the explosions had been left untouched.

"This appears to be official cargo," he pointed to certain crates. "But these," he pointed to others, their doors pried open. "We've already counted over a dozen of these containers." He led the way over, levering another one open and shining his light inside. "Yeah, this one too." He led the way inside and picked up what appeared to be a ceramic doll. He crushed the doll in his hands, showing it was nothing more than compacted powder.

"It's been tested," Vickers said, "It's cocaine all right."

The Cobra, Private Pirate Submarine

The Cobra was a private submarine owned by the Captain Ivan Pechora, who had used it to sink random ships and pirate and pillage as they saw fit. His own Akula had been used by Montana Inc on a few occasions to clean up messes that 'former' executives had made. Usually things as simple as sinking freight or in one case, a Vice President's Luxury yacht.

However this mission was far from simple, they had to get past the numerous fleets in the area, and blow the hull of a sunken freighter containing supplies that could be used to destroy Montana Inc.

If that happened, well it is best to not let them happen.


It approached the waters with caution, miles from the target zone, sonar revealed that many enemy ships were in the area, this would not be easy. Montana better up the price on this job....

The Cobra, Private Pirate Submarine

The Cobra was a private submarine owned by the Captain Ivan Pechora, who had used it to sink random ships and pirate and pillage as they saw fit. His own Akula had been used by Montana Inc on a few occasions to clean up messes that 'former' executives had made. Usually things as simple as sinking freight or in one case, a Vice President's Luxury yacht.

However this mission was far from simple, they had to get past the numerous fleets in the area, and blow the hull of a sunken freighter containing supplies that could be used to destroy Montana Inc.

If that happened, well it is best to not let them happen.


It approached the waters with caution, miles from the target zone, sonar revealed that many enemy ships were in the area, this would not be easy. Montana better up the price on this job....
Ritkanes Ridge, 100 mi N of the Freighter Wreckage

FSS Nibelungenleid SSN-284

The Alpha Mk. III attack submarine stalked the depths of the oceanic ridge, a waiting shark hunting for the elusive seal. It stood silent, listening to the passage of the Battlehawk and Commonwealth ships that had entered the area.

"Captain, new contact," the sonar operator informed them. "Single screw...it's a submarine."

"Make and class?" the Captain, Commander Gerald Davis demanded.

"Computer's working on it now," the sonar operator said. "Plotting course...looks like they're heading for the dive site."

"Well, haven't our waters become the popular ones now?" Davis asked. "Prepare to make ready...we'll go to broadcast depth first."

ooc: mokastana, what type of sub is it? also, i've been wanting a chance to bring a sub into the mix...

"I read the manisfest, there were no ceramic dolls on board" Alex commenetd "It deffinatly was authorised cargo"

"I read the manisfest, there were no ceramic dolls on board" Alex commenetd "It deffinatly was authorised cargo"
"We got a copy of the manifest, too," he said, passing him the doll and motioning him over to another container. He passed along an electronic device (ooc: just go along that it was on the manifest, please) and opened the casing with his diving knife. Inside was a sealed container of a white substance.

"The whole container's the same," Vickers said. He handed over the device, "You can take it up and examine it if you want. We were ordered to give you free access to the site, after all."

Alex nodded and took a few samples
"I don't get it" He commented "The Battlehawk has similer anti-drug polices to you, I don't understand why'd there'd be drugs on one of our ships"

Alex nodded and took a few samples
"I don't get it" He commented "The Battlehawk has similer anti-drug polices to you, I don't understand why'd there'd be drugs on one of our ships"
"It is a sad truth, but even our drug controls can't stop every shipment," Vickers led the way back out. "In fact, if this ship had been properly registered and such, I fear it would have slipped through our net."

Alex followed Vickers back to the surface
"Theres still one problem the Battlehawk will need answering" Alex commented as he took of the mask in the boat "The Frighters was in International waters at the time the first shots were fired, at least according to our GPS"

"It was asked to heave-to in our waters," Ramius said, "The Coastal boat and our own radar can confirm this," she explained. "The first shots were when they shot our inspectors and fired on the Coastal boat. Our mission was interdiction, to prevent their escape and bring them in. When they fired on us, the freighter was leaving our waters, and began evasive maneuvers which brought it to its present position, in our waters." Ramius pointed to a blast scar on the starboard of the Sea Dawn. "After the second RPG struck, I gave the order to sink her."

ooc: be back in a 1/2 hour or so...

"What cause was given for the freighter to enter your waters?" Alex replied

"What cause was given for the freighter to enter your waters?" Alex replied
"It was heading to the nearby port of Nord Cilla, so we suspect it was going to dock there and unload its cargo," Ramius said. "Though, it did not have proper identification...and after what happened with the inspectors..."

ooc: seriously, i'm going this time...sorry

OOC: That's ok, you'll have a reply for when you get back

"Did you recover any bodies?" Alex asked "There should have been at least four Battlehawk Marines aboard to protect against pirates and hostile nations, I'm not sure how the freighter was used without Battlehawk control"

Ritkanes Ridge, 100 mi N of the Freighter Wreckage

FSS Nibelungenleid SSN-284

The Alpha Mk. III attack submarine stalked the depths of the oceanic ridge, a waiting shark hunting for the elusive seal. It stood silent, listening to the passage of the Battlehawk and Commonwealth ships that had entered the area.

"Captain, new contact," the sonar operator informed them. "Single screw...it's a submarine."

"Make and class?" the Captain, Commander Gerald Davis demanded.

"Computer's working on it now," the sonar operator said. "Plotting course...looks like they're heading for the dive site."

"Well, haven't our waters become the popular ones now?" Davis asked. "Prepare to make ready...we'll go to broadcast depth first."

ooc: mokastana, what type of sub is it? also, i've been wanting a chance to bring a sub into the mix...


OOC: It is an Akula Class Attack Submarine

IC:

Cobra, Unregistered Akula Class Privateer

Captain Pechora sat quietly on the bridge, they were running silent, or close to it in these waters. Two opposing navies, both "investigating" a sunken transport, no doubt they were both paranoid, but something was wrong. At this stage they were suppose to be engaging one another, at least that was the plan, a few missiles fired and then shots going off, but no engagement had occurred, instead everyone was going to be on full alert looking for someone who doesn't belong, like his private Akula.

Silently he wondered to himself if this job was worth it. Seeing as to many factors had changed from the original plan. While he wasn't about to abort the plan just yet, if anything else went wrong he was going to get out before he got spotted, or worse, captured.

OOC: It is an Akula Class Attack Submarine

IC:

Cobra, Unregistered Akula Class Privateer

Captain Pechora sat quietly on the bridge, they were running silent, or close to it in these waters. Two opposing navies, both "investigating" a sunken transport, no doubt they were both paranoid, but something was wrong. At this stage they were suppose to be engaging one another, at least that was the plan, a few missiles fired and then shots going off, but no engagement had occurred, instead everyone was going to be on full alert looking for someone who doesn't belong, like his private Akula.

Silently he wondered to himself if this job was worth it. Seeing as to many factors had changed from the original plan. While he wasn't about to abort the plan just yet, if anything else went wrong he was going to get out before he got spotted, or worse, captured.
ooc: and mine's an alpha, go figure...

ic:

FSS Agamemnon's Wrath

The Admiral was watching the proceedings as the Zodiac returned to Ramius' ship. That was when he recieved the message from the Alpha, Nibelungenleid.

"Launch Blackhawks for ASW and contact the Battlehawk fleet to see if it's one of theirs," Padorin answered. "If it gets into range of the cordon, we'll classify it as hostile."

"Aye, sir."


FSS Nibelungenlied

"Sir, confirmed, Akula-class attack submarine," sonar reported.

"Not neighborly, then," the captain said. "Bring us back on its tail, keep us quiet."

ooc: the mk III is a retrofit of the regular alpha's, making it quieter than the 'stock' version.

<RBS Excelsior>

"Lt Commander, the Commonwealth fleet is requesting if a sub approching the area is ours"
"We don't have any subs out here" Johnson commneted "Tell them its not, launch our Choppers and put the Talons on alert"

<RBS Excelsior>

"Lt Commander, the Commonwealth fleet is requesting if a sub approching the area is ours"
"We don't have any subs out here" Johnson commneted "Tell them its not, launch our Choppers and put the Talons on alert"
Helicopters from the cruisers and destroyers had already launched, heading for the last reported position. They dropped sono-bouys in a standard pattern, searching for the intruder. Meanwhile, the other destroyer, Blue Sea steamed ahead, using its towed sonar array nad preparing depth charges.

"Come on, hurry!" Ramius told Alex as they got onboard, "We're moving out too!" She pulled out her comm device, "Breshnye, make new heading, follow the Blue out and make a parallel course...have the crew prepare depth charges!"

A klaxon blared on the ship, "All hands to Level One action stations! Prepare for ASW!"

A blackhawk could be seen flying across from hte Excelsior

ooc: waiting for mok now...

ooc: and mine's an alpha, go figure...

ic:

FSS Agamemnon's Wrath

The Admiral was watching the proceedings as the Zodiac returned to Ramius' ship. That was when he recieved the message from the Alpha, Nibelungenleid.

"Launch Blackhawks for ASW and contact the Battlehawk fleet to see if it's one of theirs," Padorin answered. "If it gets into range of the cordon, we'll classify it as hostile."

"Aye, sir."


FSS Nibelungenlied

"Sir, confirmed, Akula-class attack submarine," sonar reported.

"Not neighborly, then," the captain said. "Bring us back on its tail, keep us quiet."

ooc: the mk III is a retrofit of the regular alpha's, making it quieter than the 'stock' version.

"Captian, sounds like we got ourselves a tail."

"Any idea who's it is?"

"Not yet sir, but the systems seems to think it is an Alpha Class."

"Then it must be the Commonwealth, Run silent, don't draw attention to ourselves, take us to a lower depth, see if we can't get low enough to where sonar won't pick us up."

"Captain, we got splashes on the surface."

"Abort mission. Dive below active sonar reach, turn us back to the sea. See if we can't escape this one.


OOC: what are some nations within in the area?

"Captian, sounds like we got ourselves a tail."

"Any idea who's it is?"

"Not yet sir, but the systems seems to think it is an Alpha Class."

"Then it must be the Commonwealth, Run silent, don't draw attention to ourselves, take us to a lower depth, see if we can't get low enough to where sonar won't pick us up."

"Captain, we got splashes on the surface."

"Abort mission. Dive below active sonar reach, turn us back to the sea. See if we can't escape this one.


OOC: what are some nations within in the area?
ooc: western border is katangara, eastern border is socialist remlin and dem. republic of remlin (these are all deleted nations from my region i use as geo. points).

ic:

"Intermittent contact," one of the ASW helicopter's pilots radioed. "Seems to be using the brachial portion of the Ritkanes Ridge system...we can't get a good reading..."


FSS Nibelungenlied

"They may be using our own ridge system," the Captain decided. "Move us over here," he plotted a course on the map, "To the end of the Ritkanes system...they'll need it to stay deep before moving out to open sea."

The Battlehawk fleet was conduction SONAR searchs in their AO

In command of her vessel, Ramius took her seat in the command chair, activating a projected map of the underwater sonar readings. It showed the topography below them in phosphorescent three-dimensions, the screen updating with each new sweep.

"Prepare depth charges, load sono-buoys in tubes 1 and 2," she ordered.

"Sono-buoys prepared, depth charges are ready on deck," the TAO informed her.

"Launch buoys."

"Bouys away, aye," the TAO replied, her voice cool and calm. "Launching now, now, now."

"Captain we have active pinging going on!"

"Damn it, stop moving, try and blend into this Ridge system. Deploy a decoy in front of us, have it run quiet, and hope it draws attention."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"We will find out then wont we? Hopefully that Alpha will think that the decoy is still us."


With that the Akula slipped close to the rock formations of the somewhat shallow waters and launched itself a custom built decoy. On the decoy it had a three hour battery playing assorted sea noises that the captain had recorded from his Akula over his travels. Getting the right speaker were a pain, but after shelling out a few thousands he had managed to get three of these custom built decoys, sounding like an akula...or at least close enough to draw attention. He had never tested them against modern navies before, but there was a first time for everything.

The Decoy was launched and began moving a new knots faster then the sub used to be going, hopefully the alpha would chase it down and pass the sub, allowing for a slip and run.

"Captain we have active pinging going on!"

"Damn it, stop moving, try and blend into this Ridge system. Deploy a decoy in front of us, have it run quiet, and hope it draws attention."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"We will find out then wont we? Hopefully that Alpha will think that the decoy is still us."


With that the Akula slipped close to the rock formations of the somewhat shallow waters and launched itself a custom built decoy. On the decoy it had a three hour battery playing assorted sea noises that the captain had recorded from his Akula over his travels. Getting the right speaker were a pain, but after shelling out a few thousands he had managed to get three of these custom built decoys, sounding like an akula...or at least close enough to draw attention. He had never tested them against modern navies before, but there was a first time for everything.

The Decoy was launched and began moving a new knots faster then the sub used to be going, hopefully the alpha would chase it down and pass the sub, allowing for a slip and run.
"Captain, high-probability contact!" the sonar officer reported. "It's moving towards the coast, along the ridgeline."

"Found them," the Captain said. "Match course, flood tubes 1 and 2, but keep the doors closed."

"Aye sir," his crew went about their duties.

"Sir...wait," the sonar officer said, listening to the underwater minutaie. "I've got...two contacts..."

"A decoy?" the Captain asked.

"I'm not sure sir...if so, I can't determine which is the real sub or not."

"Figure it out, quickly!" the Captain barked.

ooc: sending a PM.

"Keeping an eye on the alpha sir, she seems to be cautious, I think the decoy spooked her."

"Good, hows the enemy pinging coming along?"

"still lighting up the place like a Christmas tree for us Captain. We can see everything they see."

___________________________________________________________________

Remote Montana Inc Airfield, Greal

"We got the drugs loaded up and ready to sent to The Free United States. Waiting for confirmation that the route is clear."

"Copy that."

The plan was this, until the plan got to commonwealth airspace it would be labeled as a Montana Inc cargo flight of Greal produced goods to a buyer in Katangara. They had already been approved by the government to enter the airspace as long as they didn't look too suspicious, from their a traffic controller had been paid to miss the fact that they had diverted from the normal route and into the mountains.

Once in the mountains they were to keep low and under the radar until they entered FUS airspace, and continue undetected, as of now the man who was suppose to be in charge of Areal patrols in the area was having dinner with a very important member of Montana Inc. Nicoli Kuskev himself.

No doubt an agreement would be reached, and when it was, the plan would take off, and hopefully get into the country without a hitch.

Niflheim ADB, Northwest CFUS

Colonel Polenin looked at the duty roster and frowned. One of the flights had been delayed. It wasn't a super-important one; a routine patrol of the mountain pass, but as the commander of the fighter squadrons, he was curious. Calling the base commander, General Gregorov, Polenin was informed by his secretary that he had already left for the evening. Damnit, he thought, ready to rip into his superior when he got the chance.

<RBS Excelsior>
"Welcome back Commodore" Johnson said as Alex stepped aboard the Bridge having been picked up by teh Blackhawk.
"Thank you commander" Alex replied as he went to the command chair.
"Sir, the RBS Legacy has entered tracking range" Johnson reported.
"Good, get me Captain Raimus" Alex ordered
Johnson nodded and the Line was up
"Captain Ramius, one of my subs has entered teh area and is requesting permission to join in the search" Alex broadcasted

<RBS Excelsior>
"Welcome back Commodore" Johnson said as Alex stepped aboard the Bridge having been picked up by teh Blackhawk.
"Thank you commander" Alex replied as he went to the command chair.
"Sir, the RBS Legacy has entered tracking range" Johnson reported.
"Good, get me Captain Raimus" Alex ordered
Johnson nodded and the Line was up
"Captain Ramius, one of my subs has entered teh area and is requesting permission to join in the search" Alex broadcasted
"Thank you, I'll relay that to Admiral Padorin on the Agamemnon."

------

"Let them enter, inform them of our position and the reported position of the intruder," Padorin ordered.

<RBS Legacy>

"Transmission from the Excelsior sir, we have permission to enter the area" The tactical offcier reported "They've given us a vector towards the last reported postion"
"Good, take us in"

Mt Veshnye, near the city of Grom

The flight so far had gone smooth, getting into the country was a breeze, and once they turned into commonwealth airspace no one asked further questions, just like they were paid not to. However they had to keep their heads down in this valley. These kinds of stunts were only pulled when Montana was out of options. Some inside the illegal Departments were wondering how much longer Montana would continue to keep them alive, after all, only 15% of Montana Inc's revenue was made from illegal sales, but of course that was also tax free money. In a nation where socailism ran rampant, it was always good to have tax free money.

Only a half hour more and they would be out of this valley, of course he last stretch was the hardest one, or at least the most suspicious. By changing their information they were to appear as a civilian cargo plan from Katangara who got lost. Records at the Grom Airport would show a cargo plan with those marking scheduled to land about an half an hour ago. Due once again to the men in Katangara who looked the other way.

<RBS Legacy>

"Transmission from the Excelsior sir, we have permission to enter the area" The tactical offcier reported "They've given us a vector towards the last reported postion"
"Good, take us in"
ooc: what kind of sub is it? seawolf..?

ic:

"New sonar contact," the operator reported. "Confirming as Battlehawk-class vessel."

"They've been cleared to enter," the Captain said. "Continue monitoring the other contacts."

"Aye sir."

Mt Veshnye, near the city of Grom

The flight so far had gone smooth, getting into the country was a breeze, and once they turned into commonwealth airspace no one asked further questions, just like they were paid not to. However they had to keep their heads down in this valley. These kinds of stunts were only pulled when Montana was out of options. Some inside the illegal Departments were wondering how much longer Montana would continue to keep them alive, after all, only 15% of Montana Inc's revenue was made from illegal sales, but of course that was also tax free money. In a nation where socailism ran rampant, it was always good to have tax free money.

Only a half hour more and they would be out of this valley, of course he last stretch was the hardest one, or at least the most suspicious. By changing their information they were to appear as a civilian cargo plan from Katangara who got lost. Records at the Grom Airport would show a cargo plan with those marking scheduled to land about an half an hour ago. Due once again to the men in Katangara who looked the other way.
ooc: actually, you've confused the geography a bit...erm. veshnye and grom are to the east; katangara is on the west. no biggie, though...

ic:

A lone Mig-21bis flying through the mountains caught something on radar. Turning for a better gain, it looked fairly large...like an airliner or something.

"Muspelheim Ground, this is Star 2-4," the pilot radioed. "I got an unknown at reference grid 34-21, over."

"Star 2-4," came the radar controller, one of the Montana buy-outs, "Disregard; Rivent Joint on RTB."

"Uh, roger Muspelheim," the pilot said, turning his fighter around as he went onto his next patrol point.

OOC: YHe class of my sub is on my navy page, not got the link atm

IC:

"We've picked up the Commonwealth ship on Sonar" Tactical reported
"Good, keep an eye out for the unidentufued sub"

OOC: YHe class of my sub is on my navy page, not got the link atm

IC:

"We've picked up the Commonwealth ship on Sonar" Tactical reported
"Good, keep an eye out for the unidentufued sub"
ooc: sorry for not replying...

ic:

"Damn, it should be easier than this," Ramius said. "We've got enough ships to sink one sub and we're sitting here with our thumbs up our-"

"Captain," the TAO interrupted, "We've got a positive contact!" She looked over at Ramius, "It's a heavy contact...definitely a sub!"

"Launch depth charges, and inform the fleet!" Ramius barked.

"Aye, aye, Captain!"

ooc: actually, you've confused the geography a bit...erm. veshnye and grom are to the east; katangara is on the west. no biggie, though...



OOC: Ok then, as long as it still works, just need to change the names a bit...

also, mind you it has been a while since I used a sub, so my jargon my be a bit off.

IC:

The plane soon found its way out of the valleys and into the open airspace of The Commonwealth, with a small private airfield as the target. At the airfield it was believed that their contacts had the men to unload the drugs from, if not things would be really bad. This was the problem with smuggling, you never knew when you might be back stabbed, or tricked, or slip up.

With the airfield in site, they began their decent/

"Control tower this is whiskey one, requesting permission to land over."

_________________________________________________________________

"Captain they caught us, I don't think they are following the decoy."

"Damn it, very well, load the Big Band into torpedo tube four, flood the tube, leave it closed, keep the Torpedoes ready in tubes one and two, flood them, also keep em closed. We are going to try something really entertaining."

Raise the Decoy to communications depth, lead us towards the open ocean. try and get the Decoy behind us. If that doesn't work, I have plan B and C."

OOC: Ok then, as long as it still works, just need to change the names a bit...

also, mind you it has been a while since I used a sub, so my jargon my be a bit off.

IC:

The plane soon found its way out of the valleys and into the open airspace of The Commonwealth, with a small private airfield as the target. At the airfield it was believed that their contacts had the men to unload the drugs from, if not things would be really bad. This was the problem with smuggling, you never knew when you might be back stabbed, or tricked, or slip up.

With the airfield in site, they began their decent/

"Control tower this is whiskey one, requesting permission to land over."

_________________________________________________________________

"Captain they caught us, I don't think they are following the decoy."

"Damn it, very well, load the Big Band into torpedo tube four, flood the tube, leave it closed, keep the Torpedoes ready in tubes one and two, flood them, also keep em closed. We are going to try something really entertaining."

Raise the Decoy to communications depth, lead us towards the open ocean. try and get the Decoy behind us. If that doesn't work, I have plan B and C."
"Whiskey one, permission granted," the tower responded.

__________

"Depth charges reaching target depth," the TAO replied. She pulled out a stopwatch. "10 seconds...9 seconds...8 seconds......5 seconds..." she looked on the screen, "3 seconds...2 seconds...1 second...impact now, now, now."

The ship had fired four depth charges, and they now registered as detonations underneath the water. Sonar operators on all ships now waited for the sound of a hull breaking.

The cargo plane landed on the private airfield watching as the pick up vehicles showed up and surrounded the stopping plane. Negotiations had been under way ever since the cargo ship was blown, Montana had had reached the agreement that for a quarter the cost of the original drugs, they would get an emergency resupply. In total they were paying 125% bulk price for the same amount of drugs, but it was that or let the customers get antsy, and antsy customers had no loyalty when it came to brand power.

As the trucks came behind the now stopped plane. The ramp was lowered revealing dozens of crates, as well as seven men armed with fully automatic M4 carbines.

"You guys call for a delivery?"

___________________________________________________________________

"Splashes in the water! Depth Charges Captain!"


"Damn it..." the captain's mind raced, he was supposedly in international waters, and this was an act of war against an unidentified target. So many protocols the fleet was not following, like identify what you are shooting.

Dive? We should dive, no what if we hit the bottom or an unidentified rock formation? also explosions deeper were more dangerous if we got hit. No run.

"All ahead full! Run from them. Then try for communications depth!"

His mind was racing, ok, think, he had ID for three alias, Captain Billy Sanchez, Mokastana National Police Force...or Captian James Smith, Greal Naval Intelligence....or Captain Walter Collins, Sumerian Military Intelligence.

He grabbed his underwater phone and pulled out the info for Captain Walter Collins.

"This is Captain Walter Collins, of the Sumerian Navy. Cease fire! Cease fire! We are in international waters! You are declaring war on the hegemony and ODECON by attacking a sovereign ship Lord Sumguy!"

He hated that they put him into a corner like this. Now he had to open communication with them. This was not going to be easy to escape. he put his hand over the phone and looked to his XO, and spoke quietly...

"When we get back to comm depth, tell our commanders what has happened, notify them Chipper code alpha."

"Aye aye sir"

Just then the first explosion hit the sub. He didn't bother listening to any response from the phone, or anyone out there who might have heard. Luckily they were running so the explosions were not nearly as effective, but still very dangerous.

"Captain! we got damage in the rear, it looks like-"

Another shake from an explosion knocked the captain off his feet...

"Damn it! Dive! Dive! Turn on the speakers and play crumbling ship!"

One of the beautiful things about owning your own sub was that you could install huge speakers inside the ship and no military commander would ask you why, but if anyone did he would always say his crew loves the occasional rave party. Of course they were installed for moments just like this. The speakers blared throughout the sub as the sounds of tearing metal played, reverberating around the ship as on occasional scream was heard under crushing metal.

"OPEN TORPEDO TUBE FOUR! LAUNCH BIG BANG! NOW!"

Big Bang was his other ace in the whole, in reality is was just another decoy, but one far more annoying. It played high and low tones at what appeared to be random. The goal was to try and play tones that would damage most sensitive sonar sensors, but really it was best at screaming high pitch noises into the ears of the people listening. Annoying them to the point of inefficiency...

Another explosion ruptured the sub as it began to dive, playing the sounds of crunching metal as it went.

The cargo plane landed on the private airfield watching as the pick up vehicles showed up and surrounded the stopping plane. Negotiations had been under way ever since the cargo ship was blown, Montana had had reached the agreement that for a quarter the cost of the original drugs, they would get an emergency resupply. In total they were paying 125% bulk price for the same amount of drugs, but it was that or let the customers get antsy, and antsy customers had no loyalty when it came to brand power.

As the trucks came behind the now stopped plane. The ramp was lowered revealing dozens of crates, as well as seven men armed with fully automatic M4 carbines.

"You guys call for a delivery?"

___________________________________________________________________

"Splashes in the water! Depth Charges Captain!"


"Damn it..." the captain's mind raced, he was supposedly in international waters, and this was an act of war against an unidentified target. So many protocols the fleet was not following, like identify what you are shooting.

Dive? We should dive, no what if we hit the bottom or an unidentified rock formation? also explosions deeper were more dangerous if we got hit. No run.

"All ahead full! Run from them. Then try for communications depth!"

His mind was racing, ok, think, he had ID for three alias, Captain Billy Sanchez, Mokastana National Police Force...or Captian James Smith, Greal Naval Intelligence....or Captain Walter Collins, Sumerian Military Intelligence.

He grabbed his underwater phone and pulled out the info for Captain Walter Collins.

"This is Captain Walter Collins, of the Sumerian Navy. Cease fire! Cease fire! We are in international waters! You are declaring war on the hegemony and ODECON by attacking a sovereign ship Lord Sumguy!"

He hated that they put him into a corner like this. Now he had to open communication with them. This was not going to be easy to escape. he put his hand over the phone and looked to his XO, and spoke quietly...

"When we get back to comm depth, tell our commanders what has happened, notify them Chipper code alpha."

"Aye aye sir"

Just then the first explosion hit the sub. He didn't bother listening to any response from the phone, or anyone out there who might have heard. Luckily they were running so the explosions were not nearly as effective, but still very dangerous.

"Captain! we got damage in the rear, it looks like-"

Another shake from an explosion knocked the captain off his feet...

"Damn it! Dive! Dive! Turn on the speakers and play crumbling ship!"

One of the beautiful things about owning your own sub was that you could install huge speakers inside the ship and no military commander would ask you why, but if anyone did he would always say his crew loves the occasional rave party. Of course they were installed for moments just like this. The speakers blared throughout the sub as the sounds of tearing metal played, reverberating around the ship as on occasional scream was heard under crushing metal.

"OPEN TORPEDO TUBE FOUR! LAUNCH BIG BANG! NOW!"

Big Bang was his other ace in the whole, in reality is was just another decoy, but one far more annoying. It played high and low tones at what appeared to be random. The goal was to try and play tones that would damage most sensitive sonar sensors, but really it was best at screaming high pitch noises into the ears of the people listening. Annoying them to the point of inefficiency...

Another explosion ruptured the sub as it began to dive, playing the sounds of crunching metal as it went.
"What the-?" Padorin asked after hearing the transmission. Though not a member of the Hegemony, they were allies with Greal... "Cease fire, deactivate the remaining charges!"

Underneath, the last charges failed to detonate, sinking into the murky depths.

"Contact Greal and get in touch with the Hegemony...let's find out about this Captain Collins."

"Aye, sir," the Comm officer reported.

"Pass this along to the subs and destroyers after them..."

"Agh!" the sonar officer grimaced in frustration.

"What is it?"

"Something's interfering with sonar...we're getting intermittent high and low frequency tones...it's making it difficult to monitor sonar signals," he reported. "W-wait...I have sounds of a ship breaking apart...I think," he looked over, "Sorry, Comrade-Admiral, I can't be sure..."

Captain we counted more splashes
then detonations, they may have heard your
bluff and deactivated them

A sonar operator had written a quick note to pass to the captian, most crew were either wearing earplugs or other sound blocking equipment due to the loud nature of the speaker system. The continued going deeper playing the sound of crunching metal, that and with Big Bang harassing sonar it was hard to hear anything under the water.

Play the crashing bottom noise.
Then kill all sound, leave Big Bang
doing its job
We will go below it and try and slip out
while they continue to deal with
sonar annoyances

Within a few minutes the crushing sounds faded and a loud series of Thud's played out into the sub. Then all sounds went quiet. They were to run on complete silence. Hopefully they could slip out undetected while the enemy fleets played track down the commander. Of course no true man existed, all he was was paperwork in the sub, something to pass them if he needed to do something on shore quickly, or get out of a pickle like that.

Well, hopefully they think the sub was sunk.
Let's get out of here

Legacy to Commonwealth fleet, we'll pull back to the edge of your waters and cover likly exit points in case the sub survived

Legacy to Commonwealth fleet, we'll pull back to the edge of your waters and cover likly exit points in case the sub survived
"Hrm...cooperation, I like that," Padorin said, picking up the mike, "This is Admiral Padorin, we read you; Commonwealth ships will concentrate in the south."

From the carrier, signal flares fired, exploding in a patterned sequence to order the fleet to their defensive positions.

"We need confirmation that this vessel is hostile," Padorin radioed the Legacy. "I suggest we keep weapons-safe for now."

We'll keep our weapons safe Admiiral The Legacy responded Also, we know you allies with the people claimed the sub beloned to, if push comes to shove, we'll destroy it to keep you from annoying your allies

"We'd like to know why they were approaching our cordon first," Padorin answered, "But your offer is appreciated."

The Excelsior has requested one of our Submarine packs to rendevous here, they'll fan out and search for the ship. We'll keep them outside your waters for political reseasons

"Inform them that the most likely exit is the Ritkanes ridge system, as it opens out into the ocean," Padorin offered.

Understood Admiral, we'll get on it, Leagacy out

The Akula's BIG BANG had died down after a few minutes, for its high and low frequencies had quickly killed the small battery inside. Now it just sank to the bottom like the decoy and the depth charges.

"Sir, do you think they fell for the sinking?" the XO whispered to the Captain.

The Captain shrugged and walked over to his sonar operators who now were able to use their equipment again. The sub had been crawling along the bottom of the ocean quietly using more momentum then actual push until the Big Bang had been finished up. Then they stopped once the timer was about to run out. By the time the sounds were done, the Akula was quietly idling in the deep waters listening for sounds from the fleet.

"Sir, sounds like a lot of movement up there...unsure if they heard the crunching or not"

"Keep up the good work."

A lot of whispering, a lot of precautions taken. That bastard better pay me for this mess. He thought to himself.

Now he just waited...

"Send a message to Greal, requesting information on this Captain Collins of the Sumerian Navy. Ask if the Hegemony has any activity near our waters at this time," Admiral Padorin ordered.

"Aye, Comrade-Admiral," his subordinate replied.


Sea Dawn

Ramius folded her arms, a transluscent headset displaying underwater graphics in three dimensions veiled her eyes.

"Now, we wait..." she commented, "Sonar, any readings?"

"Nothing on the underwater phones...and that interference is gone now," the operator said.

Lt. Craunau, the TAO, looked at the threat display, trying to figure out their next move. "They'll head for the exit of the Ritkanes," she said aloud to herself, "If we can park the Battlehawk subs there, and bring our own in from the rear...hounds to the hunters..."

The Battlehawk Sub pack arrived and spread out along the suspected area of escape and began to search earnestly

Montana Incorporated World Headquarters

"Mr. Montana, we have reports on the FUS situation involving the Battlehawk's fleet."

"good"

Antonio looked the information over and the part that caught his eye was the part of the report claiming that depth charges were dropped by a ship. (one of the Montana Inc "Communication" satellites had been watching the situation after being positioned into the proper orbit.)

"has our friend been found?"

"Not sure, but if so we can assume they are lost."

"Well, that's one less check to write then isn't it. I take it the drugs made it safely in?"

"Yes, the plane is staying in country, to be smuggled out later."

"I believe then that this mess can be considered cleaned up once that sub is dealt with."

Montana Incorporated World Headquarters

"Mr. Montana, we have reports on the FUS situation involving the Battlehawk's fleet."

"good"

Antonio looked the information over and the part that caught his eye was the part of the report claiming that depth charges were dropped by a ship. (one of the Montana Inc "Communication" satellites had been watching the situation after being positioned into the proper orbit.)

"has our friend been found?"

"Not sure, but if so we can assume they are lost."

"Well, that's one less check to write then isn't it. I take it the drugs made it safely in?"

"Yes, the plane is staying in country, to be smuggled out later."

"I believe then that this mess can be considered cleaned up once that sub is dealt with."
ooc: can i assume the drugs are on the street? also...if you're looking for something else for your corporation to do, i have a racing rp i'm trying to get going...(sorry for the shameless plug)

ic:

"They've gotta be down there," Ramius muttered, "We heard hull breakage, but...something doesn't sit right."

"Admiral Padorin is already thinking of calling it off," Lt. Breshnye said. "Maybe we are after some wild goose."

"Maybe," Ramius said, not willing to concede just yet.

"Send a message to Greal, requesting information on this Captain Collins of the Sumerian Navy. Ask if the Hegemony has any activity near our waters at this time," Admiral Padorin ordered.


OOC: the adjective is Sumguaian, not Sumerian.

IC:

From: Gen. Alexander Mcalpin, HIDF
To: Admiral Padorin

I have recently been informed that an unknown submerged vessel intercepted by one of your ships has claimed to have originated from the Holy Empire. There is no record of any submarine deployments to the area in question, and no record of a submarine captain by the name of Collins. You may therefore safely assume that the vessel in question did not originate from the Holy Empire as it claimed. I hope this information will be of use.

OOC: the adjective is Sumguaian, not Sumerian.

IC:

From: Gen. Alexander Mcalpin, HIDF
To: Admiral Padorin

I have recently been informed that an unknown submerged vessel intercepted by one of your ships has claimed to have originated from the Holy Empire. There is no record of any submarine deployments to the area in question, and no record of a submarine captain by the name of Collins. You may therefore safely assume that the vessel in question did not originate from the Holy Empire as it claimed. I hope this information will be of use.
ooc: thanks. also, it was mokastana that said 'sumerian' i was just repeating.

ic:

"Comrade-Admiral, this has come in for you," an aide said, handing him a printout.

"I see," he said after reading it, "Inform both fleets that the vessel is once again classified as a vessel of unknown origin and potentially hostile."

"Aye sir, relaying message."

OOC: fail on my part, i just guessed.

also I RPed the drugs landing and the crew opening the plane, but since you didn't respond I just went with that it was a successful delivery

IC:

"can we survive down here for 24 hours?"

"At absolute quiet? Unlikely Captain, you know how the life support works, it will make some noise, but if we are lucky they wont pick up on it."

"Very well, do the bare minimum to keep us alive, but maintain absolute silence. Load another Big Bang into tube four when sonar says its quiet out there, then flood the tube, if we have to run, i want an ace up our sleeve."

OOC: fail on my part, i just guessed.

also I RPed the drugs landing and the crew opening the plane, but since you didn't respond I just went with that it was a successful delivery

IC:

"can we survive down here for 24 hours?"

"At absolute quiet? Unlikely Captain, you know how the life support works, it will make some noise, but if we are lucky they wont pick up on it."

"Very well, do the bare minimum to keep us alive, but maintain absolute silence. Load another Big Bang into tube four when sonar says its quiet out there, then flood the tube, if we have to run, i want an ace up our sleeve."
ooc: oh, i felt that was the end of it and they were delivered, my bad

ic:

"Drop a mag charge...with designator," Padorin said.

One of the cruisers moved into position, dropping the specially-made device. Like a depth charge, it was attracted to metal, specifically, the special metallurgical properties of (most)submarines. The charge was set to fire off a sonar burst when it latched onto a solid surface, like a hull.

OOC: also what was that RP you were talking about?

IC:

"sir, we have another spash, could be another depth charge."

"Shit, prepare another hull crushing audio file, re-issue the earplug order."

"Shouldn't we move Captain?"

"We are suppose to be dead in the water, so we play dead until we are sure they are trying to kill us."

"but Captain-"

"Only one splash right?"

"Aye.."

The crew waited, listening and hoping that nothing would happen. Minutes passed by, then suddenly a loud thud as something latched on the side. Followed by a loud outburst on the sonar. In a split second the Captain's mind raced...

"play some of the crush, make it sound like hull snapped when that thing hit us. Launch Big Bang two into the water, don't turn it on yet, use the crush noises to hide its launch. Prepare to run....Now what hit us? was it a dud? and where did that sonar blast come from?"

"The object that latched on us, Captain."

"Damn it what are they doing?"

OOC: also what was that RP you were talking about?

IC:

"sir, we have another spash, could be another depth charge."

"Shit, prepare another hull crushing audio file, re-issue the earplug order."

"Shouldn't we move Captain?"

"We are suppose to be dead in the water, so we play dead until we are sure they are trying to kill us."

"but Captain-"

"Only one splash right?"

"Aye.."

The crew waited, listening and hoping that nothing would happen. Minutes passed by, then suddenly a loud thud as something latched on the side. Followed by a loud outburst on the sonar. In a split second the Captain's mind raced...

"play some of the crush, make it sound like hull snapped when that thing hit us. Launch Big Bang two into the water, don't turn it on yet, use the crush noises to hide its launch. Prepare to run....Now what hit us? was it a dud? and where did that sonar blast come from?"

"The object that latched on us, Captain."

"Damn it what are they doing?"
ooc: the racing one...? i can send a link, but it would only be me, you and ustio north...though that'd be pretty balanced...

ic:

"It's pinging!" shouted the sonar operator. "Sending strong signal."

"Get the Battlehawk and our own submarine onto the transmission, have them zero in on it..."

"Sir. Hull crushing...perhaps the depth charge..."

"It's only meant to latch on, even the hardest hit couldn't do anything." Padorin answered.

"What do you think captain? if they converge on our position they will know that we were faking it, and now that they have out position, they will noticed if we escape."

"damn it, and our EMPs would harm us at this range...but load an EMP into tube three and fill it, but don't think about launching. Just to be safe. When we get back to safe waters, i want to buy something that allows us to pull crap off the side of the hull."

"Orders though Captain?"

"Wait, listen for what they are doing, if it sounds like they are getting closer, then tell me, I hate to use the same trick twice, but scrabble them and shoot for the exit. EMP anything that gets in our way."

"We're getting more interference...I think they're scrambling us," the sonar operator said.

"Warn the Battlehawk subs. They might be in danger," Padorin ordered.

"Captain, they are coming in."

"Damn, do any tricks work on these people? Fire another BIG BANG and Run for it, straight for the exit. Are the EMPs ready?"

"Aye aye Captain."

"Good, GO!"


With that the akula rumbled to life and went full speed towards the way out of the Ridge system. Hoping that the enemy fleets were not in position yet, but if they were, a decent EMP blast should annoy their systems long enough to escape. Though what to do about the beacon stuck to the side.

"I hate to suggest this, but we will need to surface to destroy that damn detector thing attached to us."

Now the question was to do that before or after they made it out of here.

"Agh!" the sonar operator said, removing his headset. "It's that interference again!"

"Track it as best you can, inform the Battlehawk fleet to keep a wide girth." Padorin ordered.

"I've had enough of playing games with these assholes" The RBS Legacy's CO snapped eventually "Tell the Commonwealth to back off, and prepare torpedos from all of our ships on all sonar contacts"

"I've had enough of playing games with these assholes" The RBS Legacy's CO snapped eventually "Tell the Commonwealth to back off, and prepare torpedos from all of our ships on all sonar contacts"
"Damnit," Padorin cursed as he recieved transmission. He picked up his mike, "Battlehawk fleet, stay positions...there's something not right here."

"Sir, they're moving into position."

"Damn..." Padorin muttered, "Bring our ships to fall back..."

"Are we locked?" The Legacys Captain asked.
"Anything making the tinist sound out there is going to get a torpedo up their ass" The Tactical officer grinned.
"Are the commonwealth ships out of range?"
"Just left"
"Alright, have our cruisers prepare to drop depth charges along the line"
"Cruisers deploying"
"Fire!"

"Captain splashes in the water. Sounds like they are getting nearer."

"Are we heading towards them or away from them?"

The sonar operator listened for a few more seconds before he determined...

"We are getting closer."

"Damn, flood tube one!"

"Flooded Captain!"

"Open tube and fire on that ship!"

"Firing sir!"

The sudden jerk of the ship rocked the crew slightly as the torpedo shot out of the submarine, no doubt this would get even more targets painted on its side, but already they were facing depth charges, what would a few more explosives be?

"Close tube one, reload one and four with a Starfish."

"Aye aye"

Hopefully the interference would confuse them enough not to see the torpedo until it was to late, but no doubt once they did they would know where the sub was heading.

"flood tube three, prepare for launch"

"New Sonar contact, small and fast, getting closer"
"Helm officer, full 90 degree turn deploy countermeasures" The Legacys cap ordered "Track any and all traectorud and fire the second salvo

OOC: I assume your refering to the Legacy?

"Damned fools," Padorin muttered to himself. "Get helicopters and Vogels ready for launch and prepped for CSAR," he ordered the Captain. "Keep our ships from the area."

"Aye, sir."

OOC: i think i am shooting at the cruisers, whoever is dropping depth charges.

IC:

"Captain the ship is changing course"

"Good, Now let's run for it. Flood and launch tubes one and three."

"Launching sir."

The Akula rocked a little more as two Starfish anti-ship missiles flew out of the submarine and towards the Battlehawk fleet. However they would not stay around to see the effects.

"Turn us around we're taking another route out of here."

If this fleet is engaging then hopefully the other fleet backed off to make sure they would not get hit. Since it doesn't seem to be a group effort here. Hopefully this will play out right.

<Battlehawk Cruiser RBS Giant>

"Torpedo Torpedo Torpedo, coming from starboard, twenty seconds"
"Hard to port, all hands brace for impact!2

"A torpedo launch?" Padorin asked, "Ready the fleet, full countermeasures! Tell the captains to go weapons hot!"

"It's still on course, impact in ten seconds" Tacitcal reported
"Emergency responce teams to ready status"
"Nine"
"Eight"
"Seven"
"Six"
"Five"
"Four"
"Three"
"Two"
"One"
The ship shook as the Torpedo struck the ship.
"Damage report!" The Captain ordered
"Hull breach at the waterline, we're taking on water, repair teams responding!"

"Captain! sounds like a hit!"

"Good now get us out of here. All ahead full straight out of this mess! Back to the open ocean! Reload all empty tubes with Starfish and flood them, we are going home."

"Sir, we're still tracking the mag-charge," the sonar operator said. "It's heading out of the Ritkanes," he continued, "And moving out of tracking range."

"Get the nearest destroyer to continue pursuit," Padorin ordered.

Soon, the Sea Dawn put full steam ahead as it moved towards the last known position.

RBS Tropico
"We've got a signle coming right at us"
"Fire at will, all forward torpedo tubes, now!"

<RBS Giant>

"All hands this s the Captain, Abandon ship, repeat abandon ship!"

<RBS Excelsior>
"Commodore, teh Giant's captain has ordered an abandon ship!"
"report"
"She was torpedo'd by our missing sub"
"Take the Excelsior to the last known location, all Merlins standing by, all Talons at ready status"

RBS Tropico
"We've got a signle coming right at us"
"Fire at will, all forward torpedo tubes, now!"

<RBS Giant>

"All hands this s the Captain, Abandon ship, repeat abandon ship!"

<RBS Excelsior>
"Commodore, teh Giant's captain has ordered an abandon ship!"
"report"
"She was torpedo'd by our missing sub"
"Take the Excelsior to the last known location, all Merlins standing by, all Talons at ready status"
"Launch Vogels and Seahawks," Padorin said. "Inform them that we will commence CSAR of the Giant."

"Everyone off" The Captain called as the Giant began to list to starboard "QUickly!"

"Everyone off" The Captain called as the Giant began to list to starboard "QUickly!"
To speed them along, the Vogels had been launched from catapults, as the Seahawks lifted off. From the cruiser Dybbuk, another Pavehawk took off, heading to the scene.

Within Minutes almost the entire crew was in teh water or lifeboats
"That's everyone, we're missing an Ensign though" The XO commented as he headed for a lifeboat.
The Captain who was still stood on the listing ship scrambled back up the hull towards the door and went inside the ship looking for the missing crewmember

Within Minutes almost the entire crew was in teh water or lifeboats
"That's everyone, we're missing an Ensign though" The XO commented as he headed for a lifeboat.
The Captain who was still stood on the listing ship scrambled back up the hull towards the door and went inside the ship looking for the missing crewmember
The Vogels reached the lifeboats first, and divers went in to begin hoisting the men out of the lifeboats and onboard. In a minute, the Seahawks and Pavehawk had arrived, sending in their own men to begin retrieval as well.

The XO was hoisted aboard one of the Vogels as the crew was lifted out. The crew in the water was all out and the Assisting Helis were returning
"No we can't go" HE begged the Pilot "Our Captains still in there"

The XO was hoisted aboard one of the Vogels as the crew was lifted out. The crew in the water was all out and the Assisting Helis were returning
"No we can't go" HE begged the Pilot "Our Captains still in there"
"What?" asked one of the crewchiefs. "Damn...radio the Pavehawk."

"Star 4-1, this is Super 5-4, come in," the pilot radioed.

"Super 5-4, we read you," came the voice of the Pavehawk pilot.

"The captain is still onboard, we're getting pretty full here."

"Roger that, inbound to Giant," the Pavehawk radioed. It moved from it's orbit and held itself over the listing vessel. "Lowering rescue diver now," the pilot informed the area.

Dropping from the winch, CPO David Mares touched down on the deck, releasing himself from the cable. "Any idea where he is?" he radioed up.

"How 'bout it?" the pilot of Super 5-4 asked the XO. "Any idea where the captain is?"

"He went looking for one of our Ensigns" The XO replied "I'm not sure"

<Inside the ship>

The Captain had found the Ensighn and the two of them were heading back to the deck

RBS Tropico
"We've got a signle coming right at us"
"Fire at will, all forward torpedo tubes, now!"

<RBS Giant>

"All hands this s the Captain, Abandon ship, repeat abandon ship!"

<RBS Excelsior>
"Commodore, teh Giant's captain has ordered an abandon ship!"
"report"
"She was torpedo'd by our missing sub"
"Take the Excelsior to the last known location, all Merlins standing by, all Talons at ready status"

"Numerous torpedoes in the water Captain! Coming straight for us"

"Damn it, so much for a clean getaway. Any tubes got a decoy in them?"

"No Captain"

"Damn it, is the interference still up?"

"Yes but going to die soon."

"Damn, fire tube four back at them, reload with a decoy and fire it as soon as you can!"

The next few minutes were hectic as the crew tried to find a way to dodge the incoming torpedoes, luckily there was not much thought put into the launch, seeing as the four were fired off as a last ditch effort into a scrambling mess of sound and dirt.

Two torpedoes missed thanks to the scrambler and missed entirely, the third hit the decoy once it was finally launched. However the third was coming straight for the sub.

"Brace for impact!"

The Torpedo crashed into the side of the Akula, in front of the tower, near the torpedo room and soon the crew was racing to stop leaks and damages.

"I think we got them" THe SOnar operator reported
"Fire at will!"

"He went looking for one of our Ensigns" The XO replied "I'm not sure"

<Inside the ship>

The Captain had found the Ensighn and the two of them were heading back to the deck
The Pavehawk continued to hover as the rescue diver made it across to the open hatch and peered inside. The ship was beginning to list terribly, going above 15 degrees in pitch.

"Captain...Captain, rescue divers here to bring you out!" he shouted.

"Hello?" The Captain called as he and the Ensign struggled to make their way up to the deck

"Hello?" The Captain called as he and the Ensign struggled to make their way up to the deck
"Sir, Commonwealth rescue diver," he identified himself, following the Captain's voice and following it to them. He took the Ensign's other arm. "We're here to get you out! We gotta move!"

With that, he assisted the Captain in bringing the Ensign on deck, where the Pavehawk was lowering a rescue hoist.

"C'mon, sir," the diver said, "Let's get you clipped in," he held up a harness.

"Thank you" The Captain said as he and the Ensign were clipped on

"Thank you" The Captain said as he and the Ensign were clipped on
The hoist began to move as the three men were hauled into the Pavehawk. Once they were close enough, the crew-chief's helped them get secured inside.

"Welcome aboard, Captain," the rescue diver said. At that moment, there was a groaning sound of metal, and he looked over the edge at the Giant. "My God..." he muttered.

"Thank you" The Captain said before turning to see the Giant completle go over

The PAvehawk left the area quickly, heading over to the carrier where the rest of the survivors were being taken.

"They got everyone off Commodore" Jessica commented
"Thank god" Alex muttered

"Captain more torpedoes coming in!"

"Dammit Invasive maneuvers, get us out of here! I don't care how loud we are, just go! Reload any tubes with another decoy, our last Big Bang, and then missiles, in that order."

With that they went at full speed ahead towards the open ocean.

"They are heading towards the open water" Tactical officer reported
"Order all subs to move in, co-ordianted attack from all sides, fire at will" The Captain ordered

"They are heading towards the open water" Tactical officer reported
"Order all subs to move in, co-ordianted attack from all sides, fire at will" The Captain ordered
Two Seahawks rigged for ASW were also stalking the sub.

"Drop, now, now, now," the Weapons officer said, each helicopter dropping a single torpedo.

"Damn it, DAMN IT DAMN IT! Get us up to radio depth, get on the underwater phone and beg for surrender!"

"Attention fleets, we surrender, get these torpedoes off of us!"

"Damn it, DAMN IT DAMN IT! Get us up to radio depth, get on the underwater phone and beg for surrender!"

"Attention fleets, we surrender, get these torpedoes off of us!"
"Scared them outta the water!" Ramius said, the bridge crew exalting in a 'whoopee.' From Admiral Padorin, they were given their orders to stand down, the torpedoes self-detonating.

"They are surrendering" The Legacys tactical officer reported
"Good, abort the torpedos, advise one of the cruiseres to pick them up, unless the COmmonwealth wants to pick them up" The CAptaion ordered

"They are surrendering" The Legacys tactical officer reported
"Good, abort the torpedos, advise one of the cruiseres to pick them up, unless the COmmonwealth wants to pick them up" The CAptaion ordered
Padorin read out the display.

"Battlehawk fleet, you will have operational authority to detain the crew. Commonwealth vessels will provide support." he radioed.