NationStates Jolt Archive


New South Lyras (ATTN Haven)

Lyras
10-12-2008, 00:15
OOC: After months and months of thinking, planning, pondering, head-scratching and distraction-by-designing, I have finally decided to actually move into Haven, as discussed nearly 10 months ago.

As those who know Lyras will attest, everything in Lyras sounds like a military manoeuvre, due to the unique nature of the entity that is the Protectorate. However, despite what it may sound like, this isn't actually intended as an invasion, but more as a colonisation attempt. The fact that all personnel involved are military isn't anything more than a necessity of the unusually militaristic Lyran state, and not a reflection of the direct purpose of the action.

This is a repost from Haven boards, although IC and OOC responses are welcome.


IC:

"A full Order, sir?"

"Yes. I orignally wanted three, but was talked down. You're taking the 92nd. When more infrastructure is in place, more personnel and equipment will be sent. They will also come under your control, in theatre. The details of that phase will still have to be worked out."

High Marshal Cassandra Atherton nodded at her superior. What he was proposing was bold, but she could see the logic of it. Haven had space left, space that Lyras desperately needed, and with that space, resources, which were also in somewhat short supply. At a stroke, Warmarshal Krell could solve Lyran resource requirements for the foreseeable future... without a shot being fired.

Of course, the situation wasn't as grim as some would hold. Even on a full-scale war footing, stockpiles of raw materials wouldn't expire within a decade. Krell's forward planning (detractors called it paranoia - but only in private) had ensured that. But with the resources held within New South Lyras, even that would be a thing of the past. Which, no doubt, was why Krell was assigning one of his three High Marshals, and three full-strength Orders. At 38.8 million personnel each, a Lyran Order was one of the largest formations of uniformed personnel anywhere on the planet, and this operation was using a full one.

Naval forces, Atherton's usual forte, were similarly vast, not just in direct combatants, but in the sense that 38.8 million people needed a fair few ships to carry them the thousands of kilometres to the unclaimed territories east of Pontinia that would form New South Lyras. That fleet would also carry the phenomenal quantities of supplies that would be needed to support the battlegroup and ground forces while establishing self-sufficiency.

This was an enormous operation. Which was, no doubt, why Krell had given it to Atherton.

"Order-Marshal Baldwin will be your immediate subordinate, and will remain in command of his Order, in a direct sense. You will, unless you particularly desire otherwise, make your flag on the Longsword-class supercapital Falchion, but I do not need to instruct you on the ins and outs of maritime warfare."

The old man said it with a smile, and for just a fraction of a second, Atherton remembered why it was that this man held the hearts of Lyras so firmly. Cantankerous he may have been. Ruthless, perhaps. Calculating and borderline paranoid and aggressive, many have claimed. But his sense of humour, exceptional competence and genuine concern for the men and women that made the military that was the Protectorate of Lyras carried him through, as far as the rank and file went. He was the father-figure for the entire state, and had been for over forty years. His word was not so much law as something approaching holy writ.

"Any restrictions on what I can and cannot do, sir?"

"Just what your honour dictates, Cass. Do us proud."

Atherton nodded, came to attention, then about-turned and left the Warmarshal's office.

The fleet would sail at dawn, and the long journey would be busily spent ironing out the details for the establishment of New South Lyras. First point... where to land, and establish requisite port facilities.

But that would come. It would take months to get there, after all, and their buildings were modular.

Most of all, High Marshal Cassandra Atherton was honoured. Honoured and pleased at leading the largest Lyran operation in decades, in a bold move that would secure Lyran borders for generations.