NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkkOQjK71Ss
IC:
The image was that of a city at night, skyscrapers towering overhead, silent monolithic testaments to the will and might of man, framed against a burning sky. Closer to the damned was chaos, a solid line of black to a mass of vibrant, living colors. It was a line of military APCs, painted black with gun turrets poking outward over dozens of riot police, holding plastic shields in one hand and a gun or baton in the other, just behind a series of wooden and concrete barricades. The crowd pressing in just beyond was as diverse as the enforcement officers were uniform: Hundreds, maybe even thousands, of what have been classified universally as ‘furries’, weather they possess actual fur or not. Neko, kitsune, avian and scalene and God knew what else, shouting and screaming and crying, stabbing picket signs, broken bottles, bits of pipe and other objects into the air.

The camera was shaky and amateurish at best, appearing to be looking out of a third story window behind the line, almost directly over the crowd. The zoom function was either utilized too often or not nearly enough, and a loud, excited breathing could be heard from whoever was holding it, but the video it broadcast was more than enough. Quickly enough music began to come though, some kind of violent-sounding metal, and the focus was used on the police line, who appeared to be getting nervous. Moments later the camera shifted abruptly, causing an instant of vertigo, and coming up the street behind the line was two tanks and several squads of soldiers, marching in lockstep. When they reached the police a path was cleared for them, armored vehicles and officers moving out of the way.

If anything the ruckus grew louder, and the faces, as far as could be told on the inhuman visages, of the closer protesters transformed into snarls of hatred, indistinct insults or threats sent at the troopers. An unseen command and almost as one the police lifted their rifles or batons and began to move forward, firing bean bags and rubber bullets into the mob as tear gas canisters spiraled though the air, wading into the crowd and striking left and right with their sticks. The lyrics of the song began to come thorough:

Circumventing circuses
Lamenting in process
To visible police
Presence sponsored fear
Battalions of riot police
With rubber bullet kisses
Baton courtesy
Service with a smile

The furries began to fall back, retreating in face of the weapons, leaving a dozen of their kind lying sprawled on the ground, stunned, knocked out or dead.

Beyond the staples center you can see Greal
With its tired poor avenging disgrace
Peaceful loving youth against the brutality
Of plastic existence

Some began to move forward again, approaching the fallen and trying to help them up or drag them away, facing the line of police. The line of approaching officers stopped and they retreated, but here the soldiers moved forward, rifles leveled, and fired lethal bullets in unison.

Pushing little children
With their fully automatics
They like to push the weak around
Pushing little children
With their fully automatics
They like to push the weak around

Those who had separated from the crowd fell, blood pooling around them, and the protesters began to flee, trying to escape the soldiers. The tanks rumbled forward and, bypassing the soldiers, surged into the crowd, crushing people as they roared onward.

The camera switched now, showing a different street from the vantage point of a alleyway, different protesters scattered about, all furries again, running for their lives. Several of the surrounding buildings seemed to be on fire, and the ground was covered in broken glass, spent shell casings, blood and bodies. Soldiers were chasing the runners, shooting everyone they saw with impunity, even stabbing corpses with bayonets and emptying clips into prone bodies.

Round, round
A rush of words
Pleading to disperse
Upon your naked walls, alive
A political call
The fall guy accord
We can’t afford to be neutral on a moving train
Beyond the staples center you can see Greal
With its tired poor avenging disgrace
Peaceful loving youth against the brutality
Of plastic existence

The next scene was shown from inside a crowd, all sprinting away, panting and screaming and wailing. The camera bounced with the motion of the holder and it was held over the shoulder to show military jeeps and soldiers on motorcycles behind them, firing handguns and assault rifles. Furries jerked and dropped, stumbling with blood leaking from ears, eyes, mouths, noses, beaten down by gangs of uniformed soldiers. The camera swung even more wildly, a gasp could be heard, and it clattered to the ground, still staring backwards, lens cracked and speckled with blood. The last thing that was seen was a jeep growling towards it before there was a crunched and blackness.

Pushing little children
With their fully automatics
They like to push the weak around
Pushing little children
With their fully automatics
They like to push the weak around

The final vision, unlike the others, seemed to be fixed, and one would realize it was a static security camera, looking down from the roof of a building. It showed a dirty alleyway, filled with trash and several garbage bins and dumpsters, while on the street at the mouth several cars could be seen burning while shadowy figures ran though, indistinguishable in the darkness and confusion. Behind a faded green, rusting dumpster a neko child, a young boy, could be seen, sitting with his legs drawn up to his chest, eyes squeezed tightly shut and hands over his ears. At the end of the alley a soldier stopped, looking down in curiously, apparently having heard something. His mouth moved, weapon held pointing at the ground, and the child looked up from behind his cover, across loads of trash and debris. The soldier held something up, a square thing wrapped in shiny foil, a chocolate bar. His lips moved again, slowly, and the child slowly, cautiously began to pick his way through the alley towards the man.

A deer dance, invitation to peace
War staring you in the face, dressed in black
With a helmet, fierce
Trained and appropriate for the malcontents
For the disproportionate malcontents.
The little boy smiled, it’ll all be well
The little boy smiled, it’ll all be well

The boy got to the soldier, hand out for the food, a slight smile of his face. The soldier grinned widely and lifted his rifle.

Pushing little children
With their fully automatics
They like to push the weak around

The gun spat and the neko started, little body shaking with the force of the impacts, before he crumpled, dead without knowing why.

Pushing little children
With their fully automatics
They like to push the weak around

Out of nowhere furries began to attack the lone soldier, hefting baseball bats, lead pipes, kitchen knives and other ordinary objects to bludgeon him over the head. He barely had time to scream before he vanished under the press of bodies, but in the next moment more soldiers came, firing without reservation, and more furries died. One slammed the butt of his gun over the head of a neko, cracking it open, another shoved a kitsune to the ground and shot her in the head, a final group stabbing viciously into a fallen avian of some kind, blood spurting. The street and alley was covered with the bodies of furries, maybe a hundred dead in this shot alone.

Pushing little children
With their fully automatics
They like to push the weak around
Push the weak around
Push the weak around
Push the weak around
They like to push the weak around.

The image froze, centering on a squad of soldiers moving forward though the blood-soaked street, stepping over the corpses of the dead civilians. Emperor Foxfire Rose (http://kalika-tybera.artspots.com/image/25439/hikit-bookmark) of the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia sighed heavily, balancing a laptop on his knees in his Imperial limousine. All this had occurred a year ago now, long over with in a country far away called Greal, but it had been estimated thirty thousand had died that night, and the rage had been slowly boiling in the Kitsune Empire. This video, compiled of footage from official and civilian sources, had been put out on the Internet recently, along with the newly composed song to protest the slaughter. Some of the more radical groups, anti-human, furry supremacists, extreme nationalists and others were positively screaming for blood, demanding the new military be used against what was viewed as a threat against Xiscapian security.

However, the Emperor was no fool. He knew that, though perhaps not a military superpower, the Imperial Republic of Greal was much larger, at least territorially, than the Kitsune Empire, their Army alone outnumbered the entire Xiscapian armed forces nearly three to one, their whole military five to one. In any case, the Kitsune Empire had no cause to go to war: The event was past, and all furries in Greal had been deported to other nations anyway. It was in the Emperor’s personal opinion that the Imperial Repiblic would eventually collapse anyway, what with all the riots, revolts and rebellions it had had over the years, everything from Communists to Colonists.
But Greal was still a threat, assuming it ever decided to target the Kitsune Empire.

Island of Kaji...
It was another beautiful day on the tropical island of Kaji in the Troi Island chain in the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia. With rolling, frothy waves over water so clear you could see though it like glass, warm, humid air, thick, lush jungles and buildings made to maximize comfort for the tourists who stayed within, it was a stark contrast to the tundra wasteland that was much of the Kitsune Empire. Here you could buy cigars hand-rolled by the local kitsune, the richest, tastiest coffee beans by the pound right from the fields where they were grown, legal marijuana and only the finest tequila, vodka and rum. Prostitution also being legal, government brothels held ‘clean’ kitsune and humans alike for an altogether different experience in sex. In the city of Kaji, one of the hundreds of hotels towered into the sky, gold gilt on the sides glittering in the sun, making the name sparkle: Hotel Isa. Such was the four-star hotel, a popular destination for vacationers, with its own swimming pool, hot tubs, beach access, luxury suites and dining hall.
Sadly, the idealic vacation life of sex, surf and sun was soon to be rudely interrupted.

City of Tenfour...
On the whole different from Kaji, Tenfour was a dirty, polluted, crime-ridden metropolis, populated by boxy gray structures amid factories and offices under an iron sky. This area was cleaner than most, and, unlike nearly a full quarter of the massive city, safe enough to walk down without hiring an armed guard just to cross the street. Inside a massive shopping mall, at Bar and Grill Enigma, patrons spoke quietly while soft, classical music played, the scent of good food, fine wine and fox fur masking the scent of smog, unwashed humanity and other smells no one cared to identify. Waiters moved among them, taking orders, bringing plates heaped with meals and pouring drink for the diners. A piece of class and cleanliness among the filth was going to be wiped out, along with a significant portion of the city...

Rio Casa, airport...
Emperor Foxfire Rose stood with his delegation, awaiting the arrival of the first foreign ambassador to ever come to Xiscapian soil. He had with him his son, Silvertooth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32752279@N03/3057973763/), two servants, and a number of armed guards, visible and hidden. They were to be paid a visit from none other than the Emperor of Angenteria himself, who had expressed an interest in opening diplomatic relations. Why, exactly, the Emperor did not know: Most nations either ignored or showed considerable contempt for his country, due to the furry population and rule. For precisely this reason, Foxfire Rose was both wary of any hand of friendship while the other may conceal a dagger, and at the same time eager for any relations which could in any way strengthen or assist his Empire.
So they waited.

OOC:
Ground rules:
1. No WMDs (nukes, gas, I think we all know the definition by now)
2. This is open for the condemnation or approval from other nations of what occurs here, and any nation can send money, materials or non-combat personnel (doctors, civilian engineers) to either side (me or Greal). Under no conditions is anyone (except possibly Angenteria) to send combat troops of any kind to either side to engage the enemy.
3. Please refrain from posting OOC comments here. If you have something to say about this, say it ICly, or TG me or Greal.
OOC Thread (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=577414)

Tagged. I'll make my official post tomorrow when I'm not so tired.

GIA Headquarters
One week before...

"Population. Similar to Greal. Military. We have very little information on their military, though satellites have shown us that their military is quite small, but will be most likely to be equally determined to defend their country."

There were always briefings. Roger Jenkins found it normally quite boring, but his new assignment was different. He was to assassinate Emperor Foxfire Rose of the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia. Jenkins never heard of him, and didn't care to, until now. Now, he had to listen intently and find every bit of information they had on the Emperor. He was to use a Barrett M82 sniper rifle. Deadly at a long range. Roger quickly learned from his superiors that he was to assassinate their emperor after President Martin Watson was nearly killed by...a furry. Agent Norrington did confide in Jenkins that they had "evidence" that the Xiscapians were involved. Jenkins's instincts told him otherwise, but he was to do as he was ordered to.

First he was too coordinate the sniper attacks with gunmen attack on Tenfour and the bomber attack on Kaji. They were to all happen at the same time. The gunmen were gangsters, hired to do the dirty work of shooting randomly on the streets of Tenfour, while the bomber was to do a suicide attack on a random hotel that was chosen already. Jenkins himself was to shoot the emperor in the head. Now they had to be brought in....

Tenfour, Present time

The dozen gunmen had been brought to Xiscapia on a cargo boat coming from a unknown country that they didn't know and didn't want to know. The gunmen had brought with them, AR44 Assault Rifles, Glock pistols, a few grenades to cause chaos. After stealthily being dropped off, they made their way quickly into the city and split up into pairs. Though they were gangsters officially, they received some training and information from an "anonymous" source and they knew what targets they had to hit. Then they drew their assault rifles from their backpacks and all hell broke loose.

Kaji, Present time

The bomber was dropped off by a different ship. He was smuggled by a luxury liner that arrived at Kaji. He had a watch that every member of the attack received. It would go off, and that was the time to attack. He made his way through the city and rented a medium sized car. He placed the bomb behind him. The watch rang and he sped toward his target, Hotel Isa. He was a car bomb. He detonated the many C4 packs that were with him shortly after he crashed into the hotel lobby.

Rio Casa

Jenkins had a rougher time getting to his destination. He had his sniper rifle with him as he departed from An toan Harbor and headed north on a rented car. He was disgusted by the number of furries that were everywhere. In Greal, there were no more since the massacres, but here, everyone seemed to be one. It only enraged Jenkins to continue to his target. He drove through the hills and arrived at the city of eight million civilians. He drove by countless fountains and parks as he approached his target. The airport. A week ago, the intelligence agency reported that the Xiscapian Emperor another Emperor (Jenkins didn't care to read who) at the airport with plenty of armed guards.

He parked his car at a random spot and took his sniper rifle with him. He went to look for the Emperor by different methods. If the Xiscapian Emperor was here, then his bodyguards would span the whole airport. Eventually he got himself to a hidden position and through his scope, he looked around for the Emperor. He was in view, a hundreds of yards away. He aimed and fired. Unfortunately Jenkins got bad luck there, he missed and hit an aide. Quickly, before the Emperor was pushed away by his guards, he fired again, but bad luck continued. Ironically, he hit the Emperor in the knee, where the president of Greal was also shot. He was ready to fire again when....

OOC: Xiscapia, I hope you don't mind me starting the attacks right now, and I sound a little godmodish in this post so please TG me if I have any errors.

OOC: I suppose my post's gonna take place before Greal's

IC:
The trio of planes screamed through the skies over the Xiscapian Empire as it made it's way toward it's destination. A larger passenger-style plane, with two smaller, more agile interceptor jets at it's flanks. The ultra-modern plane, painted black on the upside and while on the bottom, was the personal jet of His Supreme Majesty, the Emperor of Angenteria, and reserved for the personal use of himself of his family. It was everything an Emperor could ask for in a plane. It came fully equipped with a conference room, private quarters for the Imperial Family, a private office for His Majesty to work, and even a mini-bar for relaxation, ensured that it had everything it needed for the Emperor to continue to run the Holy Imperium while he was away.

"Your Majesty, are you absolutely sure about this?"

"I am sure." Emperor Marcus Riektal replied, with every bit of confidence in his voice. A young man still in his late-twenties, Emperor Marcus Riektal had assumed the throne of the Emperor after the sudden death of his father, Anticus Riektal. That was five years ago. Since then, he had taken time to learn the ropes of what being an Emperor was really like, and had gained much experience since his coronation. "We need to show the Xiscapians that not all of humanity is as bigoted and racist as they think it is. And the world needs to know that Xiscapia are a sovereign nation in it's own right."

"How selfless of you." A female voice chimed in, stepping in from behind the aide. Camilla Riektal stepped in through the open doorway, a small smile stretched across her face. A young woman in her mid-twenties, Camilla Riektal was the sister of Marcus, and was born a few years after Marcus. The position of Emperor is not gender-specific, and the title of Emperor or Empress falls to whichever child is the eldest at the time of death. "That sounds like something from one of those cheesy black-and-white movies."

"Yeah, whatever." Marcus replied, standing up to greet his sister, a smile coming across his face. She had asked to accompany him to Xiscapia, and Marcus couldn't say no. "Tell me again why you came?"

"Have you ever seen a furry before?"

"No." Marcus replied, conceding the point. The two had come a long way from the two childhood kids who were always in a constant contest to see who can pull the bigger prank on the other.

The door opened once again, and a guard stepped in, bowing before his Emperor. "Your Majesty. We are approaching the landing point, and will be touching down shortly."

Marcus turned to the new arrival. "Very well. Thank you, sergeant."

The guard nodded, and rose to his feet before backing out of the room, as to not turn his back to the Emperor.

The plane continued to glide through the sky as it touched down onto the runway.

((OOC: Lol, I'm the one who started the whole stream of furry genocides... that was fun.))

OOC: GWO, do you not understand the meaning of Ground Rule #3?

Tenfour...
The assault weapons flashed across the restaurant as bullets smashed glass, chewed though wood and thudded into flesh with deadly results. In seconds everyone in the room had either dropped to the floor or been hit, and the thugs began to enter the premises. Kitsune began to scramble to get away and were ruthlessly cut down, and many screamed and cried out, crouching behind overturned furniture or squatting underneath tables. A lucky few made it out the back door, but the majority were trapped and at the mercy of the gunmen. Normally this would have all the hallmarks of a gang hit, but things were wrong: The weapons were automatics, illegal for private ownership in the Kitsune Empire and extremely hard to procure, there was too many goons and this upscale restaurant was a dangerous target for even the most ambitious of gangsters. This was known and Xiscapian law enforcement began to mobilize, police and SWAT teams on their way to the building.
"All units be advised we have an attack on Enigma Restaurant, 143ed Street, a possible dozen suspects, all armed with large-bore assault weapons. All available units please converge on 142ed Street, be advised roadblocks are being set up and a helo is en route. Repeat, all units be advised we have an attack on Engima reseraunt..."

Meanwhile the manager on duty was behind the bar, and slowly stood up, hands raised in the air. "Don't shoot! We'll give you anything!"

Kaji...
People on the sidewalk scattered as the car went up over the curb and ahead full speed towards the huge glass doors and windows of the Hotel Lobby, shocked faces staring from inside at the approaching vehicle. They began to run, the clerk behind his desk leaping over it in a desperate attempt to get out of the way, but it was useless: The car impacted the far wall and exploded spectacularly, spraying shrapnel and causing all the windows to blast out, flames leaping across wood, cloth and metal, killing every person inside the Isa Lobby and wounding several more outside. Here too emergency services were notified, and police, firefighters and ambulances were on the scene within minutes.
"We have a probable SVBIED at Hotel Isa at the corner of First and Hector, paramedical, fire teams and law enforcement are responding. Recommend the construction of roadblocks in the area and the closing of all surrounding streets for the passage of emergency vehicles..."

Rio Casa Airport...
As the official plane and escorts of His Supreme Majesty Emperor Marcus Riektal of Angenteria began to taxi forward towards the docking area Silvertooth Rose turned to his father, no longer watching the jets. "Father," he got the attention of the Xiscapian Emperor softly, "we are taking a risk here."
"I know," Foxfire Rose nodded gravely upon hearing of his son's concern. "We know very little about these people...but they know just as much about us." He smiled. "At least, that is what I am told. Do not fear, Silvertooth, they are friends. We have no reason to suspect they wish us any harm-"

An aide had just been approaching the Emperor with news that his Angenterian counterpart was less than two minutes away from debarking his flight when the first round entered though his chest and out his back, creating a hole big enough to put a fist though and killing him instantly, the white fur of the servant splattered with crimson blood as he went flying back. The large glass window overlooking the tarmac shattered with the second shot before anyone could react, and the bullet punched a hole in the cardinal-colored robes of the Emperor and sliced into his right leg, just below the kneecap, nicking the bone before exiting though the thigh and causing the kitsune ruler to fall as if pulled down by some unseen force. In an instant the Black Guard was all over them, shielding their Lord with their bodies, creating a ring around their leader, dragging Foxfire Rose away. There were shouts and screams and one of the bodyguards lunged forward to drag Silvertooth out of the way, but he shoved him away and ran over to the window, where a Guard sniper was just coming out of a crouch, looking around in confusion. Silvertooth grabbed his rifle, pushing the Xiscapian to the side and, after flicking the safety off, began to scan the forest treeline just beyond the airport though the scope.

It wasn't hard to find the man: The human was highlighted against the dark green and brown forest and the white ground covered in snow, checking his rifle. The arrogant bastard didn't even bother to disguise himself! Silvertooth thought, half in disgust, half in anger. Now you will die for your foolishness! The Xiscapian brought the gun up to his shoulder, resting on the sill of the broken window, centered the head of the would-be assassin in the crosshairs, and fired. The shooter was just levelling his rifle for another shot when the slug from Silvertooth's weapon hit him precisely between the eyes, blowing blood, shards of bone and bits of brain matter over the trees and across the pure snow, the corpse flopping to the ground.
Just like hunting back home.

Marcus Riektal and his staff and guards would have heard the gunfire at least, and now they would see a variety of vehicles, some airport police cars and SUVs, most military jeeps and APCs, come swarming across the runway towards his plane. A loudspeaker mounted onto a APC sounded: "Stay in the aircraft! There is a situation, but it is under control! Do not attempt to leave or exit your plane until we say so!" Soldiers were rushing the the perimeter fence and ascending the hills outside the airport and Black Guard were trotting up the connecting hallway to the jet, establishing a squad that would make sure nobody left the craft, and no one entered. Meanwhile the Emperor, with a full convoy of decoys and protective vehicles in attendance plus a helicopter gunship, was rushed to the nearest hospital, his son at his side the whole way.
OOC: More reactions and the like to come, don't post the Declaration of War just yet, Greal.

"Are you ready?" Marcus said, straightening his military uniform, and adjusting the black cape that came with his official regalia as Emperor. He hated having to wear the thing, but it made him look more imposing.

"Yeah." Camilla replied, folding her arms. "You know what would be funny?" She said, amusement plain in her eyes.

"What?"

"If you tripped over that cape of yours, and fell right on top of the Xiscapian Emperor." She smiled, enjoying the comical values of the comment, and perhaps her own cleverness for thinking it up.

"Yeah. Real funny." Marcus said, suppressing a chuckle. from his office, he could hear the sound of the connecting hallway clanking into place next to his plane as the Angenterians made ready to leave. Marcus, Camilla, and a detachment of armed guards (http://www.freakygaming.com/gallery/action_games/battlefield_2142/city_camoflauged_soldier_m-714-38_pk.jpg), who brought up the flanks and rear. They walked through the open doorway into the small hallway. Things seemed to be going off without a hitch.

That is, until a single distinctive crack echoed throughout the area. There was no mistaking it. A gunshot. Someone was trying to kill them.

"What the hell-?!" Marcus manage to get out, before the royal guards sprung into action. Immediately taking positions, they effectively encircled the Emperor and his sister, forming a protective shell around the two, and began to pull them back into the plane. As soon as they were in, the door behind them was immediately shut, and a squad of guards took up positions around it, weapons raised.

Back in the safety of the plane, Marcus and Camilla were checked for wounds. "Your Majesties!" One of the guards, who happened to be the same sergeant from before, approached the two Riektals, concern written all over his face. This time, however, he was sporting a full combat uniform, with body armor and assault rifle, and a visored helmet covered his head and eyes. "Are you hurt?"

"We're fine." Marcus said. Well, if he wasn't in pain, he probably wasn't shot.

"Woah..." Camilla's voice said. Marcus turned, noticing she was looking out one of the windows. Marcus walked over to an adjacent window, and looked out,

Military vehicles and troops were approaching the plane with haste, and an APC was blurting a message with a massive loudspeaker.

"Stay in the aircraft! There is a situation, but it is under control! Do not attempt to leave or exit your plane until we say so!"

As if responding to the message, those inside the plane heard the stamping boots of military personnel racing through the hallway that connected the plane to the dock.

"What the hell is going on here?!" Marcus blurted "Is this an attempt on my life?"

"I doubt it, my lord." The sergeant replied. "If they wished to assassinate Your Majesty, they would have waited until you were outside, so they could confirm your death easily."

Marcus nodded, not believing it for a second. Being paranoid, of course, came with being Emperor. "See if you can find out what's going on."

The sergeant nodded. "As you wish, My Lord." The sergeant left the Royal siblings, proceeding to the door.

"Open it, trooper." He said, handing off his assault rifle, showing he intended no harm. Two soldiers moved in front of him, undoing the locks on the door, which slowly swung open.

The soldier stepped out, coming face to face with a bunch of heavily armed and armored soldiers, all pointing their assault rifles directly at him. He slowly brought his hands to his head, and removed his helmet. Inside the plane, the soldiers held a hard grip over the door, ready to close it at a moment's instant.

"My name is Sergeant Garrus Matius." He said slowly. "What is the problem?"

Tenfour

One of the gunmen looked at the manager for a moment, as though he was crazy, and then he said,"Only your lives." Then another gunman fired a burst at the manager and watched the bloody figure fall. other gunmen had actually spread around the buildings near the restaurant, killing as many people as possible. The lead gangster named Arthur saw the Xiscapian SWAT teams down the street, probably setting up a roadblock. He fired at any remaining bystanders and took refugee in a near by building. After shooting all the furry occupants, he took out a grenade and threw it across the road.

Meanwhile, the other gangsters were detonating their grenades in the restaurant, trying to bring down the structure and kill the remaining survivors. One gangster looked in disgust at one of the furries who were still alive and fired burst after burst until the furry was dead.

Sasha, Greal

"I have received word of terrorist attacks in Xiscapia. The few Greali corporation employees have reported hearing a bomb explosion in Kaji, and shooting in Tenfour. I'm waiting for word from Rio Casa airport. There are a few Greali tourists who dare go there."

"Now what?"

"We wait. The fleets are deployed yes?"

"Yes. They are waiting for your orders."

Kaji...
The damage looked worse that it was, but that wasn't saying much. Had the explosive been larger it could have toppled the entire hotel, but it only gutted the Lobby area, killing thirteen people and causing over a million dollars in damage. Four other people had been injured during the attack, and paramedics had quickly rushed them to the nearest hospital as firefighters put out the fire and began to move among the wreckage, removing corpses and putting them in body bags as police used the stairway to evacuate the rest of Hotel Isa. A large plume of smoke had risen into the sky and there was still dust, ash and smoke prevalent around the area, along with the smell of burned flesh and singed fox hair. The roads between the Hotel and the hospital had been blocked off, and it seemed every few minutes there was a fire truck, police car or medical vehicle motoring to or from the site of the attack. Several black Mercedes cars were parked across the road, and there was several Xiscapian Internal Affairs agents questioning various people and examining the remains of the car bomb. There was no doubt as to what this was: A terrorist attack.
But who would claim credit?

Tenfour...
As the thug in charge scurried across the roadway a police helicopter buzzed overhead, a sniper sitting with his legs dangling off the side, rifle raised and tracking the target. He had only just entered the department store when the law enforcement officer spoke into his helmet link:
"This is Bravo Two I have visual on one of the suspects, designate Sierra One, he appears to be threatening patrons of a store across from the restaurant, request permission to engage."
"Bravo Two this is Base, you are cleared to engage."
"Roger."
He fired and the shot went though and window and drilled though the back of the man, smashing his ribcage and shredding flesh, causing him to drop.
"Suspect Sierra One is down, repeat, Suspect Sierra One is down."

The grenades weren't powerful enough to collapse the restaurant, though they ensured that everyone still inside was dead. All the people who had not been able to escape had been killed by gunfire or the grenade blasts, and now the eleven gangsters owned the building. The grenade lobbed towards the SWAT detonated too far out to be effective, and all officers were advised that the suspects were armed with explosive devices. The helicopter made another pass and claimed the life of another gunman who had been stupid enough to stand near a window, and now the suspects were in the middle of the restaurant, trying not to present themselves as targets to the hovering sharpshooter. Meanwhile a SWAT team came around the backside of the building, kicking in the door and throwing in tear gas grenades and flash-bangs, having received confirmation that all the hostages were dead. The goons, all blinded and reeling and some unconscious, made for easy pickings and only two had to be killed as they attempted to resist, the others were immobilized and handcuffed.

A total of twenty-six people had been killed and eleven wounded, not counting the gunmen who were even now being labelled terrorists. The eight who had survived would undoubtedly be charged with mass murder and executed, but first they were all to be interrogated. As the bodies were removed and the injured were rushed off to the hospital the eight gangsters were transported to a prison, where they would be questioned as to their origins, intentions and affiliations. XIA agents were here too, overseeing the clean-up and they would be in charge of the transport and interrogation of the prisoners. The regular police, it was felt, could not be trusted, for if they were not assaulted by an angry mob trying to kill the terrorists, they might 'accidentally' kill the men themselves.

Rio Casa Airport...
The Angenterians might not know it, but they were under suspicion as the primary probable instigators of the assassination attempt. Nevertheless, the Guard Sargent that stepped forward had been ordered by the son of the Emperor himself that nothing was to be withheld from their guests, and after a moment waving the rifles of his comrades down, he spoke quickly and precisely, with barely concealed anger.
"There has been an attempt on the Emperor's life, a sniper attack. We do not know if the attempt has been successful, we do not know who committed the attack, and we do not know whether the assassin has escaped. At least one other person has been killed, and we are only now receiving reports that at least two other terrorist attacks have taken place within Imperial borders, a car bomb at Kaji and gunmen in Tenfour. We ask that your Emperor and his staff remain in your plane until we have secured the area."

A moment later a white and silver robed Imperial Palace servant, a kitsune complete with a flat, cone shaped straw hat and a katana in a white sheath by his side. "Send this message to your Ruler:," he looked at the Angenterian sergeant, "Silvertooth Rose, son of the Emperor, extends his greetings and thanks for your arrival here today. He regrets he cannot meet you in person, as his father is in critical condition at a local hospital, but wishes to possibly meet with you and any staff you bring at the hospital once it has been confirmed his father is in stable condition and the airport is secure." It was typically Xiscapian: Polite to the last, and even if his father was possibly on the cusp of death, Silvertooth could not forget his duties or his guests, suspected assassin accomplices or not.

Outside the body of the sniper had been found, his head blown clean away, rental car located nearby. This time they had a match: Roger Jenkins of the Grealic Intelligence Agency.

The attacks had been extremely costly: Over two millions dollars in damages, killing forty and injuring sixteen, not counting the terrorists themselves. Not only these losses of life and materials, but the Kitsune Empire had lost face before their Angenterian guests, for now their security appeared to be inadequate to protect their own leader and citizens, never mind that of another country. Finally any negotiations towards and alliance with them had been halted, possibly permanently, by the chaos and suspicion that ringed the attacks like a dark cloud. The identity of the would-be assassin was not yet disclosed to anyone, so the Angenterians remained the primary suspects.
Only time would tell how much, quickly and easily any of this would be repaired.

"There has been an attempt on the Emperor's life, a sniper attack. We do not know if the attempt has been successful, we do not know who committed the attack, and we do not know weather the assassin has escaped. At least one other person has been killed, and we are only now receiving reports that at least two other terrorist attacks have taken place within Imperial borders, a car bomb at Kaji and gunmen in Tenfour. We ask that your Emperor and his staff remain in your plane until we have secured the area."

Matius nodded, as he took in the information. Obviously, this didn't happen very often, and it is entirely possible that Angenteria would be blamed, at least initially, for this attempt. Nevertheless, this would have political fallout for years to come, and could even result in the deceleration of war. But it wasn't his place to question what that could be, especially in the middle of a possible combat zone. The sergeant opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again as a kitsune stepped forward, wearing a noticeable straw hat and a katana on his waist.

Sergeant Matius cocked his head to the side as the kitsune approached him, somewhat in awe. He, like most people in the world, had never seen a furry before, and had previously believed they were the things of legend and myth. He briefly wondered if the sergeant leading the Xiscapian squad was such a creature as well, but couldn't tell just by looking. His uniform and visored helmet concealed his face. It opened it's mouth to speak.

Silvertooth Rose, son of the Emperor, extends his greetings and thanks for your arrival here today. He regrets he cannot meet you in person, as his father is in critical condition at a local hospital, but wishes to possibly meet with you and any staff you bring at the hospital once it has been confirmed his father is in stable condition and the airport is secure.

Matius gazed at the creature as it spoke to him. He wondered how it could be so polite to him, given the circumstances. Proper etiquette must be very important to them. Realizing the kitsune was finished, Matius nodded.

"I will inform His Majesty immediately." He replied "He would want to meet as soon as possible."

He placed his helmet back onto his head, and slowly backed into the plane door, hands held high.

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

"So, it's a terrorist attack." Marcus said, feeling a little more calm about things. At least they weren't trying to kill him, or so they were told. But still, Marcus found it a little bit harder to trust the Xiscapians.

"Well, that's not right." Camilla added, giving voice to Marcus' suspicions. "A meeting of Emperors should be one of the, of not the highest, security priority, and they couldn't even prevent the gunman(or men? they still don't know) from shooting their own leader, even if it wasn't fatal! Brother, do you remember when the Lamonian President visited?"

Marcus nodded, recalling the event when President and First Lady Stinson of Lamoni came for an official state visit. Marcus had made sure they were well-protected. Entire city blocks were cleared of traffic, even parked cars were ordered to pull off the streets(still, Marcus had allowed foot traffic to continue.) Buildings were secured to ensure no sniper attacks. The entire Palace Guard had been mobilized, and two full regiments of Imperial Guard were placed on standby, ready to move in and secure the city in case something went wrong.

"Yeah." Marcus confirmed. "We spared no expense at security."

"Exactly." Camilla replied "If this is their idea of that, then they're in trouble."

Marcus nodded again. "However, I still want to meet with them."

Camilla nodded in agreement. "Maybe we can dig up some dirt behind all this."

The eight surviving gangsters would tell all they knew. They were from Greal. They did work for the Greali Mafia. They worked for a terrorist group (Partly true. A terrorist group that was used by the GIA as a cover) and they were ordered by their "boss" to attack, coordinating with a renegade GIA agent and another terrorist. That was all they knew besides that. The Xiscapians would learn nothing else. But the Xiscapians knew one thing. Both attacks were related to Greali "terrorists". Now, only time will tell what was going to happen next....

Rio Casa General Hospital, one hour later...
"...We have estimates that indicate approximately sixty casualties including you, my Lord, in these three attacks. All the terrorists have been captured or killed, and eight of the twelve gunmen who made the shooting in Tenfour have been interrogated. It did not take long fully our methods to be fully effective, and the eight and their four dead comrades are directly associated with the Greali Mafia, which has ties with Greali Intelligence Agency. According to them a thirteenth terrorist and a rouge GIA agent were responsible for the Kaji bombing and the killing of Aide Iwao and your injury, but the agent, identified as one Roger Jenkins, still maintained a close relationship with the GIA until his death. Identification on the bomber is impossible, as his body is too badly burned to provide any reliable data, but we suspect he too was either a GIA agent or a terrorist planted here by them. The gunmen are being disposed of now."

The Xiscapian Internal Affairs agent shifted slightly, looking at the Emperor lying on his hospital bed. Even wounded and confined to a bed, covered in bandages and wearing only a thin paper gown, the kitsune still commanded a presence, and his unblinking gaze was making the Xiscapian slightly uneasy. "What of this rumor I hear," the Emperor said quietly, "of my son killing the assassin before he was able to fire a third shot?"
Silvertooth Rose had been sitting and listening silently, but now his head rose fully, looking from the agent to his father. "I did." He admitted softly.
The Emperor said nothing for a moment, face unreadable. "When you looked though that scope, what did you see?"
Silvertooth hesitated. "I saw only the face of a human attempting to murder my father," he said finally.
The kitsune leader nodded. "You saw the face of the man that started a war. Tell me," his yellow, vulpine eyes slid back to the XIA agent, "what do our friends in the Imperial Intelligence Department have to report?"

Again, that hesitation apparently so commonplace now. "My Lord...the IID seems to indicate that a number of naval military ships from the Imperial Republic of Greal are gathering inside their territorial waters in formations...my God!"
The agent was leafing though satellite photos from above the Imperial Republic, showing photos hours apart as fleets began to come together and form up.
"Their DEFCON won't have changed yet, but it will within the next twenty-four to seventy-two hours," the Emperor pronounced gravely. "I am aware ours has already been raised to Three, but we must accelerate to One at quickly as possible. We may not have long to prepare, but no matter our actions, conflict is inevitable: The Imperial Republic of Greal will declare war on the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia very soon, and send forces to invade our lands, territorial waters and airspace. They have sanctioned terrorist attacks against us, and deployed agents from their own institutions to kill our citizens and remove me from the world of the living: Diplomatic negotiations will not be possible. Get me an aide immediately, I must send a message to our military leaders."

As the XIA agent left in a hurry the Emperor settled back into his bed with a sigh, but Silvertooth seemed anxious, running a hand though his deep red hair. "What has gone wrong?" He muttered, looking at his father with a mixture of fear, sadness and weariness. "Where have we failed?"
"I cannot say," Foxfire Rose confided. "History will show us where and how. Now there is only enough of the present to deal with the future. I trust none of our Angenterian guests were hurt during the attack?"
"No," Silvertooth shook his head, "they're all fine, maybe a little rattled, but okay. National Guard troops and Black Guards have confined them to their plane until they can secure the area, and I have sent them my welcome and apologies."
"Good," the elder Rose nodded, "go and receive them, and bring them here. I do not know if they will wish to begin our talks now that this has occurred, but I must make an attempt to reconcile and let them know they are not under suspicion, for we now know the perpetrator of these abominable assaults. Move with speed but purpose: You have no time for haste."
"Father," Silvertooth stood and gave a small bow of acknowledgement before stepping back towards the door, "My Lord, it will be done."

As his son left Foxfire Rose stared at the ceiling, and a single word sprouted from his lips, laced with tones of agony, despair and shame:
"War."

Rio Casa, Airport...
An hour and twenty minutes had passed before the pilots on the Angenterian jet were communicated with by the control tower and the plane was unsealed. Waiting to receive the Royal Envoy was a Black Guard at four foot intervals along the entire hallway, assault rifles held across their chests, while the single servant from before was standing before them, waiting to lead the dignitaries. "My Lord Silvertooth Rose, son of the Emperor of Xiscapia, is waiting for you," he said quietly after a deep bow, and turned to lead them out into the terminal. The Guards did not appear to move or even breath as the diplomats passed them, still as stone, staring straight ahead from behind their helmets.
For the second time, they exited the hallway.

The waiting area was entirely clear of civilians: Everyone in sight was wearing either a uniform of some kind or a suit. There was National Guard Soldiers (http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc87/greenjayhawk/?action=view&current=FEAR360_Intro0427062copy.jpg), Black Guards and some kind of agents in suits everywhere, over a hundred, all apparently deployed for the sole task of protecting Marcus Riektal, Camilla Riektal and their guards and aides. The humans would note that most of those present were kitsune, and the humans that were there were either airport security or National Guard soldiers. At least one helicopter could be heard orbiting the airport, and outside on the runways there could be seen a number of M5A5 Charleston APCs, SwimGragt Amphibious Jeeps armed with fifty caliber machine guns and grenade launchers and even a couple Sieren Tank Destroyers and portable SAM units. In the forest beyond, where the attack had come from, the area was crawling with soldiers and kitsune in suits, many of them with sniper rifles to act as countersniper teams.
An obvious show of force.

These people were not just there to protect the visitors: They were also there to contain them. No one but those in the highest levels of the Kitsune Imperial government knew that it was Greal, not the Angenterians, who were behind the attacks, and the Black Guards, XIA agents and National Guard soldiers had their orders. Waiting for the party just before the main doors that led out into the terminal street was none other than Silvertooth Rose, accompanied by four Black Guards and a Palace aide. He bowed as they approached, but did not speak as a Black Guard came between the Angenterians and he. Like Silvertooth, the Palace servant leading them, the Emperor and several of the officers and agents around them, this Xiscapian had a katana, and he drew it now.

The unsheathing of the blade was done well beyond striking distance, as slowly and non threateningly as the Guard could manage. Once this was done he reached up with his free hand and removed his helmet, placing it on the floor beside him. Exposed was a kitsune face with black fur, elegant muzzle ending in the expected snout, predatory orange eyes fixed on Emperor Marcus Riektal. In one fluid motion he dropped to one knee, head bowed and hands held up with the sword in them, the hilt balanced on one and the end of the blade in the other. He began to speak in a foreign language, and the aide leading the group translated:

"Điều này khiêm nhường sâu, có tên là không phù hợp để được uttered, là Captain của Black Guard đơn vị được giao để bảo vệ các khu vực này và thủ tục tố tụng. Ông nhận ông đã thất bại trong việc đặt trước mặt người, và đã đưa không chỉ trong đời sống của Chúa riêng của mình và của mình offspring và tất cả các mặt công dân trong mối nguy hiểm, nhưng cũng có tôn trọng của Hoàng đế Marcus Riektal, có thể tên của mình được khen ngợi vĩnh viễn, và của chị em mình và kèm che và công dân. He is mired cao nhất trong mức độ đau đớn và nỗi đau con người có thể mang ra, và begs lớn Hoàng đế Marcus Riektal để pardon mình undoubtedly treasonable và utterly dimwitted nỗ lực để bảo vệ mình và người kin, bạn bè và Allies. Ông thừa nhận rằng mình là không xứng đáng để nói chuyện trực tiếp cho mạnh mạnh mẽ và Hoàng đế Marcus Riektal, và đau đớn của Ritual này phải được thực hiện trong tiếng mẹ đẻ của mình để bày tỏ ra thì mình đầy đủ. Ông nói rằng, nếu bạn chọn để pardon người, khôn ngoan và Hoàng đế Marcus Riektal mạnh mẽ, bạn sẽ có blade của mình, mà bạn có thể chống lại các smash đá dưới mà mình sanh ra và đập được chôn ngay nếu bạn muốn hiển thị của bạn contempt cho người. Nếu bạn không chọn để pardon này nửa witted kit, ông sẽ đi xa vào một thời điểm của lễ chuộc tội như demanded do hải quan và truyền thống của chúng tôi."

"This lowly worm, whose name is not fit to be uttered, is the Captain of the Black Guard unit assigned to protect this area and the proceedings. He recognizes he has failed in the task set before him, and has put not only the life of his own Lord and that of his offspring and all present citizens in danger, but also that of the Honorable Emperor Marcus Riektal, may his name be praised forever, and that of his sister and accompanying guards and citizens. He is mired in the highest level of sorrow and grief he can bring forth, and begs the great Emperor Marcus Riektal to pardon his undoubtedly treasonable and utterly dimwitted attempts to protect him and his kin, friends and allies. He acknowledges that he is not worthy to speak directly to the mighty and powerful Emperor Marcus Riektal, and this ritual of sorrow must be done in his native language so he may express himself fully. He says that if you choose to pardon him, wise and strong Emperor Marcus Riektal, you shall have his blade, which you may smash against the stone under which his sire and dam are buried if you so wish to show your contempt for him. If you do not choose to pardon this half witted kit, he will recede into a time of atonement as demanded by our customs and traditions."

There was silence afterward, and all waited to see what the Angenterian Emperor would do. Should he reject the kitsune's plea for forgiveness, it was quite possible that the Guard Captain would commit Seppuku, but the man would have no way of knowing this.
He was free to choose.

Tenfour, XINHQ...
Grand Admiral Krystal (http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1284179/), head of the Xiscapian Imperial Navy, was the first to receive news of the increased DEFCON level impending invasion of the Kitsune Empire. She stood in her black and deep blue Grand Admiral's uniform at the window of her office in the tower that overlooked much of the gray, smoggy Tenfour and the white sheets of ice and deep blue waters beyond, holding the dispatch, struggling to quell the feelings of fear and apprehension that rose inside her. The youngest of the three main military commanders, Krystal was unique in that she had never fought in nor directed forces into battle, and as a result was always slightly stressed with her position and worried about the soldiers and sailors under her command. The Imperial Navy wasn't even truely worthy of the name: It was comprised of fifteen ships, three of them not combat vessels and armed only with point-defenses, and only four of all the craft were capitals. At the moment she could see the locations of every ship on the map behind her desk, all inside Xiscapian territorial waters, twelve of the fifteen docked.

She looked back to her orders, direct from the Emperor himself. They simply stated that she should prepare her forces for battle with the enemy, and gave a rough estimate of when they would be arriving, if the attack went though.
There was no doubt in her mind that the attack would go though.
First, she knew, they would strike at and attempt to neutralize the three islands: Kaji, Xuong and Mau. At the moment she had several ships at or around the islands, and she was aware that most, if not all, of her operations would center around the three little landmasses. Normally the Imperial Navy had the simple job of apprehending smugglers, rescuing survivors from sinking ships or downed aircraft and preforming manuvers, but now things were about to get serious.
God help us.

Rio Casa
Airport

"Your Majesty." Sergeant Matius said, bowing before his leader. "We've been informed that the perimeter is secure."

"Thank you, Sergeant." Emperor Marcus Riektal replied, straightening the pins on his uniform, and grabbing the black cloak that he had hung up earlier.

"If I my, Your Majesty." Matius spoke again. "I do not believe it is safe for you to meet with these Xiscapians. We can't trust their word."

Marcus smiled. "If I let the Palace Guard have their way, I would never leave the Imperial Palace." He fastened the cloak around his neck. "We have to show these Xiscapians we're not afraid of what might come our way. I'm going."

"Then we shall accompany you, My Lord." Matius responded, slamming his fist against his chest.

Marcus nodded in approval, before turning and proceeding to the door, with his sister, attendants, and guards in tow.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marcus Riektal was the first person to step through the door into the hallway, and the first to take in the surroundings around him. For one thing, he was sure the Xiscapians weren't about to let the incident happened again. The room around him was surrounded with all sorts of security personnel, from soldiers to agents reminiscent of the American Secret Service. Looking around, he took note that most of the people there were actually kitsune. He cocked his head to one side, silently confirming the fact that such creatures did, in fact, exist. He wondering what his sister was thinking, but did not dare look behind him to find out. He and his entourage advanced down the hallway, spotting a small group seemingly waiting for them at the end of the hall, just before the doors, and the lead one bowed in greeting. But before Marcus could return the favor, one of the soldiers stepped forward, coming in between them, and pulled a katana sword from his waist. Behind the Angenterian Emperor, the Palace Guards tensed up, bringing up their weapons, fearing the worst.

A wave of Marcus' hand brought their weapons down, as he stepped forward to hear what the soldier had to say. As if to confirm Marcus' suspicions, the soldier removed his helmet, revealing a kitsune face, and bowed before Marcus, his katana held out before him. Be began to speak in foreign tongue, but the lead one translated for him.

"This lowly worm, whose name is not fit to be uttered, is the Captain of the Black Guard unit assigned to protect this area and the proceedings. He recognizes he has failed in the task set before him, and has put not only the life of his own Lord and that of his offspring and all present citizens in danger, but also that of the Honorable Emperor Marcus Riektal, may his name be praised forever, and that of his sister and accompanying guards and citizens. He is mired in the highest level of sorrow and grief he can bring forth, and begs the great Emperor Marcus Riektal to pardon his undoubtedly treasonable and utterly dimwitted attempts to protect him and his kin, friends and allies. He acknowledges that he is not worthy to speak directly to the mighty and powerful Emperor Marcus Riektal, and this ritual of sorrow must be done in his native language so he may express himself fully. He says that if you choose to pardon him, wise and strong Emperor Marcus Riektal, you shall have his blade, which you may smash against the stone under which his sire and dam are buried if you so wish to show your contempt for him. If you do not choose to pardon this half witted kit, he will recede into a time of atonement as demanded by our customs and traditions."

Marcus folded his arms as he looked down upon the bowed soldier, who has revealed himself as the Guard Captain, who seems to have taken full responsibility for the failure to protect his Emperor, and Marcus, to an extent. He acknowledges his responsibility for not preventing the situation, and asks for Marcus' forgiveness. It seemed Xiscapian culture was stepped in ritual and honor.

Marcus thought for a moment. As if there really was a decision behind this. Executing the captain, while certainly a viable option, was out of the question. He leaned forward, taking the katana from the bowed kitsune. He did not know much about the art of swordplay, and even less about wielding a katana, but had experience with European style fencing, as part of his martial arts training that all members of the Imperial Family must go through.

"In my country..." he began "...we believe that failure is something not to be greeted with hatred and distrust, but embraced. The great Chinese philosopher, Confucius, once said 'our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.' Reflect upon that." He took the sword in his hand, and brought it down so that the flat part of the blade was under the kitsune's chin. He pushed the blade up, forcing the kitsune's face toward to look up at Marcus'

"I don't know how much authority this carries here." He said. "But I, Marcus Riektal, Emperor of the Holy Imperium of Angenteria, hereby resolve you of your crimes. May you go free, and continue serve your country with honor and distinction." With that, he inverted the grip of the sword in his hand, and stabbed it into the ground with all his might.

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/th_Grealflag56-1.jpg
Official Greal Statement
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To: Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia, Emperor Foxfire Rose
Encryption Level: Medium
Subject: Declaration of War

We grow tired of your repeated assaults on my people and including myself. There is now a state of war between the Imperial Republic of Greal and the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia. You have twenty four hours to surrender of face the wrath of the Imperial Republican Military.

Signed,

Martin Watson
President of Greal
Imperial Republic of Greal

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

Out to Sea.....

The Greali President did not expect the Xiscapians to surrender, and he ordered the naval fleet to move quickly. The fleet itself numbered over a thousand vessels, ranging from massive super capital ships to small ocean patrol vessels and even torpedo boats. Minesweepers, submarines made up the vanguard, watching for the Xiscapian fleet to appear, but it would be a day before the fleet reached the Xiscapian waters, and one more day for the Greali fleet to ready itself for the naval battle and landings. Admiral Norrington watched his massive fleet spread out into battle formation. Close nearby were hundreds of support vessels and troop transports that were heavily guarded. There were always problems however. For example, one of the troop transports carrying an armored brigade had to brought back due to engine failure. Three corps were with the navy and they would do most of the fighting though there was also another corps of marines that accompanied them. Overall, General Thomas Sid had command of the land forces and the air force. The navy was to be under a separate command.

OOC: Sorry about the short post. When the war starts, I'll increase the size of my posts.

OOC: Can I get an ORBAT please, Greal?

IC:
Rio Casa, Airport...
Everyone breathed again, and the Angenterians would almost feel as if they had passed some sort of test. There was no cheers nor smiles, but the tension lifted noticeably as the Guard Captain fell onto all fours and knocked his forehead against the floor nine times. He then stood and tugged his blade from the floor, where it had left a cut in the carpet, bowed deeply to Marcus, and, picking up his helmet, spoke once more, this time in English:
"Your are most gracious, Emperor Riektal. I will not forget your actions or words."
He turned and strode off to the side, where he put his helmet back on and resumed command of his troops.

Now Silvertooth gave a second, much lighter bow to Marcus and his party. "I apologize for the abrupt manner of the proceedings, but it was something that had to be done. I hope you were not put under undue pressure." He smiled. "My name is Silvertooth Rose, and I, as you may have gathered, am the son of the Emperor. Please," he swept out an arm towards the doors, "come. My father awaits you eagerly."

Outside the group was ushered into a motorcade, which consisted of several limousines, SUVs with red and blue flashing lights, black BMW and Mercedes cars driven by XIA agents and police motorcycles. They passed many park garden areas with shaded walkways and bushes draped with snow, frozen fountains gleaming in the weak winter sunlight as birds chirped and twittered in the branches of birch and evergreens. The streets were clear of any moving vehicles other than that of the motorcade, but citizens of the city still walked about, many stopping to watch the convoy of dignitaries go by. The trip to the Rio Casa General Hospital was short and quiet, as the Angenterians were put in separate vehicles from Silvertooth and his entourage.

Once at the medical center it was asked that most of the Royal Guards and attendants to the Emperor and his sister stay in the waiting room or take up positions in the halls outside where Foxfire Rose was being treated. While Rio Casa General was overflowing with doctors and nurses like any hospital, there was a discreet but definite presence of Black Guards and XIA agents, and no doubt some were hidden among the civilians and staff. The people who finally made it to the Emperor's room, after passing though several checkpoints, were Silvertooth, Marcus Riektal, Camilla Riektal, the Palace servant and two Royal Guards chosen to accompany them by Marcus. Once inside the servant and Silvertooth sat in plastic chairs along the wall near the bed, while the Emperor, his sister and their bodyguards had been provided with a plush, high-backed chair each and a large platter which held mugs, glasses and bottles of coffee, tea, wine, soda and water. A smaller plate of assorted finger foods was also present for their tasting should they so desire.

It was impossible to tell how the Xiscapian Emperor was feeling or what he was thinking: His kitsune visage was utterly alien, and two yellow orbs studied the four humans with interest but yielded no information. He waited until they were all sitting or standing as they chose, then began to speak in English with a slight implacable accent.
"My friends, thank you for coming here despite what has occurred. I deeply regret the attack which has left me in this state and unable to greet you in a proper fashion, but I'm afraid that is by far the least of my problems. Apparently in concert with the sniper attack which sought to claim my life and instead sadly ended that of one of my aides, was a car bombing on the island of Kaji and a shooting at a restaurant in Tenfour. These assaults left thirty-nine people dead and wounded a further fifteen, and it agonizes me greatly to inform you we have the identity of those who would make such cowardly, senseless violence."

The Emperor paused a moment before continuing. "The marksman who fired on the airport today was identified as an agent from the Greali Intelligence Agency. The gunmen in Tenfour were terrorists hired by the Greali Mafia, which has close connections to the GIA. The suicide bomber was no doubt also an agent or terrorist with ties to one of these organizations. And now, I have received this." He nodded, and the servant stepped over to Marcus and handed him the communique from Martin Watson. "I do not know what the 'repeated assaults on his people and himself' refer to, but President Watson ordered these attacks on myself and my citizens. And now he seeks to invade the Kitsune Empire for these imagined greavences." The servant handed over several satellite photos which showed the massive Greali Fleet underway from Greal to Xiscapia.

"It is estimated we only have forty-eight hours before that fleet reaches our waters." The Emperor's calm, cool tone had not changed. "Our defence forces are well-equipped, but they are inexperienced and outnumbered by this enemy. It grieves me greatly, but I must ask that you leave the country immediately." The Emperor sat up, wincing as he did so, a strange expression but there was no doubt as to what it was. "The Greali are not known for their tolerance towards kitsune, or those who associate with them. If you are found by them within our borders, if you are captured, you will be imprisoned and probably executed. It is very unfortunate that this had to occur while we sought to open relations, but I cannot ask you to stay in my nation while it is about to come under assault by a fascist state. I'm sorry." He bowed his head and then looked at Marcus, waiting for an answer.

OFFICIAL KITSUNE IMPERIAL STATEMENT
From the desk of the Maladict, Chief Ambassador, Head of State, Top Advisor to Emperor Foxfire Rose and Minister of Foreign Affairs,
TO: Martin Watson, President of Greal, of the Imperial Republic of Greal
SUBJECT: Re Decleration of War

The Socialistic Imperial government of Xiscapia greatly regrets this unfortunate turn of events, and wishes to know if an alternative to a military conflict could be discussed. Regardless, we shall not surrender to the forces of the Imperial Republic of Greal.
Good day to you,
The Maladict

Confident that he had done the right thing, Marcus proceeded forward, returning the greeting bow of Silvertooth Rose with a greeting bow of his own. He did not speak, however, as the Xiscapians seemed to be in a rush to get things moving.

During the car ride, Camilla couldn't help but let out a small chuckle.

"What's so funny?"

"Confucius? Really? I'm curious, Marcus, do you think this up as you go along, or you prepare something for every for every single situation you encounter?" She paused for a moment, turning her head to look out the window. "That was pretty clever, though..."

Marcus let out a hearty laugh.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Upon entering the room of Emperor Foxfire, the first thing Marcus, Camilla, Sergeant Matius, and another royal guard saw is the Xiscapian Emperor, his eyes fixed on them as they moved. He spoke:

"My friends, thank you for coming here despite what has occurred. I deeply regret the attack which has left me in this state and unable to greet you in a proper fashion, but I'm afraid that is by far the least of my problems. Apparently in concert with the sniper attack which sought to claim my life and instead sadly ended that of one of my aides, was a car bombing on the island of Kaji and a shooting at a restaurant in Tenfour. These assaults left thirty-nine people dead and wounded a further fifteen, and it agonizes me greatly to inform you we have the identity of those who would make such cowardly, senseless violence."

Marcus' raised an eyebrow. He had truly underestimated these Xiscapians if they had found out the perpetrators behind these terrorist attacks so quickly. Unless they were trying to kill him, to which was also somewhat possible, however improbable. Being the Emperor meant being more the a little paranoid about some things. But a little fear now and then never hurt anyone, now did it?

"The marksman who fired on the airport today was identified as an agent from the Greali Intelligence Agency. The gunmen in Tenfour were terrorists hired by the Greali Mafia, which has close connections to the GIA. The suicide bomber was no doubt also an agent or terrorist with ties to one of these organizations. And now, I have received this. I do not know what the 'repeated assaults on his people and himself' refer to, but President Watson ordered these attacks on myself and my citizens. And now he seeks to invade the Kitsune Empire for these imagined grievances."

"That sounds like something the Grealis would do." Camilla chimed in, as Marcus read over the communique he was handed. While the Holy Imperium had not had any official dealings with the Imperial Republic of Greal before, the Arbitrators had learned what they could from interrogated members of the Japanese Yakuza based in Angenteria, who would mention the Grealis numerous times, and how they were alwways so well-equipped. Still, the fact that such a state-sponsored criminal organization even existed disgusted Marcus.

He took the satellite photos, bringing his eyes down to look at them. What he saw sent a chill down his spine.

"It is estimated we only have forty-eight hours before that fleet reaches our waters. Our defence forces are well-equipped, but they are inexperienced and outnumbered by this enemy. It grieves me greatly, but I must ask that you leave the country immediately. The Greali are not known for their tolerance towards kitsune, or those who associate with them. If you are found by them within our borders, if you are captured, you will be imprisoned and probably executed. It is very unfortunate that this had to occur while we sought to open relations, but I cannot ask you to stay in my nation while it is about to come under assault by a fascist state. I'm sorry."

Marcus lifted an eyebrow at the request of Emperor Foxfire. The kitsune seemed truly concerned for the safety of Marcus Riektal, and Marcus couldn't help but feel a little touched at his sincerity.

"Emperor Rose..." Marcus began "...it seems you are truly concerned for the safety of both myself and my family, and for that I am grateful. However, these are unprovoked attacks against your people, with, from what I can see, no other basis besides racism, pure and simple. Let us stand with you in this war, and show you that the Holy Imperium does not forget it's allies."

The Emperor smiled for the first time since they had seen him, full of warmth and sincerity, or at least it was if expressions on the face of a human meant the same on a kitsune. "I knew I did not make a mistake in allowing you to come here," he said, and was then all business again. "Your nation is far removed from ours; Greal is much closer, and it will take some time for anything you could send to us to arrive. Even if your forces began mobilizing now, I suspect the invasion fleet will be well within our territory by the time they arrive. Even so, I cannot and will not ask for foreign soldiers to fight for my nation and her people: This is not their battle, and I do not wish for their blood to be shed too. I am sorry, but I will not change my mind on this matter, what we have gained is ours, and ours to lose. If we lose, I ask only that you may open your borders to receive as many of my citizens as you can.

However, we are open to any kind of donations of funds, supplies, ships, weapons, anything that can help us, including military advisers, civilian engineers and aide workers, and other non-combat personnel. For these people I can promise a safe return to their nation of origin if the Greali draw too close. Of all these, we now desperately need men and women to help train our soldiers and militia in the use of new weapons and tactics: The only thing more critical is that we keep our reserves of oil, steel, foodstuffs and other resources. I will keep an open dialogue with you, Emperor Riektal, until such a time passes that either we win the war, or I am captured or killed. I am saddened that the first test of our alliance must be an armed conflict, but as you have shown us your honor, resolve and loyalty, we will show you our bravery, passion and strength. For your friendship in such a tumultuous time, I thank you." The Emperor bowed his head again. "Now, what can you do to help?"

Marcus felt somewhat disheartened when Emperor Foxfire Rose refused his offer for military assistance, but, quietly, he knew the kitsune was right. Logistically, it was nearly impossible for the Imperial Guard and Navy to arrive in time to do any good, save for watching the destruction of their new ally. However, military force was not be the only way to assist an allied nation.

"We can have the first shipments of weapons and supplies, along with any military and civilian advisers we can afford to send, here via plane in seven hours. The five hours it takes to arrive here by plane normally, plus two extra hours to fly a diverted path, to ensure the Greali don't see us." He said, considering the logistical possibilities. "We can also attempt to smuggle more into your ports via ship, but I doubt the Greali Navy will allow that to happen without feeling the inexorable urge to blast us out of the water." He turned his head to look at those standing behind him. "Trooper, bring in the Lieutenant, I would like to see her."

The soldier bowed and answered "Yes, My Lord" before leaving the room. A few moments past before the guard entered again, this time returning with a female soldier. She was dressed like all the other royal guards that had accompanied Marcus, save for the pure white shoulder pad on her left, and the saber that hung in a sheath around her waist. She removed her helmet, revealing her face. She was in her late 20's-early 30's, and long had black hair, which was tied up into a ponytail for the purposes of wearing the helmet.

"This is Lieutenant Julia Bennington, recently transferred from the elite Stormtrooper Corp. Lieutenant?"

"My lord?"

"You are to remain in the Empire of Xiscapia, and lead our efforts to educate these Xiscapians on what it's like to fight a real war. Is that understood?"

"Yes, my lord." She responded, snapping a sharp salute with parade-ground precision. "I will not fail you."

"Good. Sergeant?"

"Your Majesty."

"From this moment onward, you are hereby promoted to First Sergeant, along with the full title and privileges of that rank. You are to act as Lieutenant Bennington's second here in Xiscapia, and aid her wherever possible."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The pair stepped forward, moving to the Xiscapian's side of the room.

"The members of the Royal Guard are the finest soldiers the Holy Imperium has to offer. They will serve you well."

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/th_Grealflag56-1.jpg
Official Greal Statement
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To: Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia, Emperor Foxfire Rose
Encryption Level: Medium
Subject: Declaration of War

Unfortunately, there is no alternative. You have attacked my people over and over. This cannot be tolerated.

Signed,

Martin Watson
President of Greal
Imperial Republic of Greal

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Orbit over Xiscapia...

Greali satellites were moving in for a pass over Xiscapia. A few were simple spy satellites that would stay in position until the conflict was over. The rest were a different breed entirely. The latest, cheapest flying missile boxes were moving into launch position. Nothing more than lead shielded boxes full of missiles, when they closed on their targets, doors opened and a dozen missiles launched at every Xiscapian satellite that was nearby. But not all of the satellites opened, the remaining satellites fired every single missile they had at every Xiscapian airfield or military base seen from space.


Near Xiscapian Waters....

Admiral Norrington received word that the Greali military was now mobilizing large numbers of men and material. The aletrt statues was finally changed to DEFCON 1 due to the war. Though the Greali army had 2.04 million men available for the invasion, only a few corps could be actually transfered by ship. Three Air borne divisions were also to be used in air drops on the Xiscapian outer islands. The Greali fleet was near Xiscapian waters and now received confirmation to strike.

First, targets were planned already a little while ago by the GIA and it was a simple matter to put this into the plans. The naval fleet launched ten thousand LY589 Hellion advanced cruise missiles (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13525984) were launched from every Greali ship in the fleet at various targets in the island, including the Xiscapian naval ships. Each advanced cruise missile was powerful enough to wipe out a tank column. As if that was enough, a dozen conventional ballistic missiles (no nuclear warheads, explosives) were launched at Kaji. Meanwhile, the Greali marines were preparing for their landings while the navy was exhausting its cruise missile supply.



OOC:
Greali ORBAT
Army
Combat Troops (2,040,000 men)
--68 Combat Divisions (30,000 men each)
--32,780 LY4A1 Wolf Hound MBTS (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13416164#post13416164)
--2,000 LY6 Werewolf Assault Gun/Tank Destroyers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13386886)
--56,056 LY219 Ironheart Armoured Multirole Tactical Vehicles (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=533583&postcount=1)
--5,500 LY7/366 Lammasu Self-propelled Gun/Howitzers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13879044#post13879044)
--15,500 LY300 Manticore Multiple Rocket Systems (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=535946&postcount=1)
--5,500 LY219/516 Stormdrake Armored Mortars Vehicles (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=533583&highlight=Stormdrake&postcount=1)
--20,000 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Trucks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heavy_Expanded_Mobility_Tactical_Truck)
--150,000 LY83 Fox 4x4 Light Multirole Utility Vehicles (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13386801)
--3,050 TRA-92 "Eiko" Light Attack Helicopters (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=534616)
--3,038 Light transport helicopters
--1,900 Heavy transport helicopters
Logistics Personnel (6,080,000)

Look Incorporated Mercenaries (500,000)

Air Force
125th Air Group
--2,049 LA-22 Halo Fighters (http://z4.invisionfree.com/NSDraftroom/index.php?showtopic=4164&hl=)
56th Air Group
--2,600 F-44 Interceptors (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9992748&postcount=1162)
2nd, 3rd, and 4th Bomber Group
--1,200 Night Falcon Bombers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9570516&postcount=245)
Air Transport and Support
--4,000 Helicopter gunships
--9,800 Heavy & Light transport helicopters
--1,500 C-10 'Minotaur' strategic cargo aircraft (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13861502#post13861502)
Air Logistics
--1,500 KC-747 'Galt' aerial refueling tankers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13938729#post13938729)
--500 GNC-21 Shark Bombers converted to airlifting transports.

Navy
Task Force Brutal
--1 Nietzsche Class Super Dreadnought (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13268855&postcount=10)
--1 Longsword class supercapital guided missile warship (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=551930)
--5 Lord Class Battleships (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10108633&postcount=1390)
--5 Chancellor class Fleet Carriers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11023265&postcount=5)
--20 Battleaxe Class Cruisers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13614518&postcount=1)
--20 Höllefeuer Class DDGs (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13915854&postcount=10)
--10 Donnerschlag Class DDGs (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13915897&postcount=11)
--10 Blitzschnell Class DDGs (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13915931&postcount=12)
--30 Hatchet Class Frigates (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=13624652&postcount=1)
--20 Chamberlain Class Submarines (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11023547&postcount=17)
--520 F-44 Interceptor Fighters
Task Force Knife
--2 Longsword class supercapital guided missile warships
--5 Lord Class Battleships
--5 Campion Class Supercarriers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=12076390&postcount=75)
--20 Battleaxe Class Cruisers
--20 Höllefeuer Class DDGs
--10 Donnerschlag Class DDGs
--10 Blitzschnell Class DDGs
--30 Hatchet Class Frigates
--20 Chamberlain Class Submarines
--520 Eurofighters (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurofighter_Typhoon)
Task Force Island
--1 Feathermore Class SuperDreadnaught (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=10646417&postcount=1326)
--5 Lord Class Battleships
--2 Union Class Carriers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=11045174&postcount=54)
--4 Champion Class Supercarriers
--20 Battleaxe Class Cruisers
--20 Höllefeuer Class DDGs
--10 Donnerschlag Class DDGs
--10 Blitzschnell Class DDGs
--30 Hatchet Class Frigates
--20 Chamberlain Class Submarines
--540 LA-22 Halo Fighters
Task Force Support
--50 Höllefeuer Class DDGs
--70 Hatchet Class Frigates
--Support vessels, transports and mine sweepers

Rio Casa General Hospital...
The Emperor nodded. "I thank you for your current and future services and sacrifices," he told the Lieutenant and her subordinate. "Master General Dom, leader of the Xiscapian Grand Army, will have use for you both."
He turned his attention back to his Imperial counterpart. "It seems that the only way to transport people or supplies would be by air, and that will only grow riskier as the Greali fleet closes in. Mainland Xiscapia is hemmed in by mountains on all sides except in some areas to the south, so travel over land will be severely limited. I am not a military strategist, but I believe the enemy will attempt to blockade the port of Tenfour and cease all imports into the Kitsune Empire, depleting our resources and reducing our combat efficiency, which will eventually force us to surrender or face destruction. It will be up to the XGA, the XIN and the XAF to make such a blockade too costly to be maintained, and the city of Tenfour must not be allowed to fall into Greali hands. If we can open a gap in the blockade and maintain it, we must take on supplies of oil, food, ammunition and other vitals. This war will be won or lost according to how effectively we can use our resources, and how quickly we can break the blockade or force the Greali to retreat.

I assume you and your party will be staying in Xiscapia for the duration? If this is so, rooms are available at the Palace as planned. My doctors estimate I will be out of this hospital in a day or so, but I will be confined to a wheelchair or crutches until my leg can support my weight. Once I am released from here, I will join you at the Imperial Palace." The Emperor smiled again, though there was nothing for him to be happy about.

Orbit...
Being dumb-fired, the satellite-launched missiles were horribly inaccurate and missed many of their fellow Xiscapian satellites, but several were destroyed nonetheless, all civilian ones providing television, mobile phone and radio services. These were transformed into glittering debris fields sliding though zero gravity, shards of metal and plastic that could never be rebuilt. The remaining ballistics, directed downwards, were met by point-defense missiles from SAMs on the ground with interceptions that were not heard nor seen by anyone, but two snuck though. The first detonated above and Xiscapian Grand Army base in the Tundra, damaging several buildings, killing six soldiers and wounding a further eight, while the other exploded at an airfield near the city of Lune, razing a barracks and killing three base personnel. At the same airbase several F-15 Eagle tactical fighters were being prepped for take-off, loaded with ASM-135 ASAT missiles and EMP pulse missiles.

Troi Island Chain, Strategic Missile Command, exact location undisclosed...
Patrolling drone aircraft, scrambled at the news of the declaration of war, were the first to detect the incoming missiles. They relayed the data to the many outposts and then the headquarters of the Troi Island Chain Strategic Missile Command. The nexus of the station consisted of several banks of radar, weapons control and communications computers with kitsune officers manning them wearing headsets, dimly lit by an array of red, blue and green lights. The early-warnings were met with a mixture of awe, fear and anticipation.
"Vampires, one million plus vampires closing," calmly reported one of the officers from his console, using the military lingo for enemy missiles. "Vamps heading for Kaji, Xuong and Mau. Orders, sir?"
The Major in charge was watching the seemingly endless number of radar contacts that each represented a missile, nodding to himself. "Deploy countermeasures and point-defenses once they get within effective range." He commanded.

Every conventional ballistic missile flew into a wide umbrella of SAM launchers, and all were intercepted and destroyed by ground-based SAMs before they could reach Kaij.
The cruise missiles, however, were another matter.
Due to the volume launched they came in waves of hundreds of thousands, and the SAMs went to work, blasting the enemy missiles out of the sky before they could do any damage. At the same time jamming and EMP pulses were activated, causing thousands of missiles to detonate prematurely and explode in midair or drop into the sea, uncontrolled. However, the defenses could not strike at every missile, and some inevitably came though.

Mau Island...
Mau was a peaceful little island, holding only a few thousand kitsune who farmed the rocky soil and eked out their existence by growing coffee beans and fishing, exporting these to the mainland, the other two islands and the wider world. There was no military bases present, no governmental buildings, no weapons of any kind and very little modern technology. It held only innocent Xiscapians and their homes.
Yet the Greali struck there anyway.
There was no time to react to the missiles, and even if there had been it wouldn't have done any good. In a matter of seconds an entire village had been leveled and three hundred people killed without knowing how or why. Crops went up in flames and rocks dislodged from the sides of mountains and tumbled down into gorges as Xiscapians fled for their lives, into caves, into the sparse jungle and down to the shoreline. The missiles continued to pound the island, creating large craters, destroying everything they touched and sending flames and light everywhere, before they finally ceased, leaving behind smoke and the dead in their wake. The attack had killed just over a thousand people, annihilated a village and burned over 75% of all the plant life on the island, leaving the survivors to wander about their blasted homes and the charred remains of their livelihoods and loved ones, bleakly wondering what had happened.

Xuong Island...
On Xuong it was different. Since the island housed over sixty thousand people and a military base it had a number of SAMs which were able to destroy the incoming missiles, but still they came. A series of strikes blotted out the small airport, eradicating Bell 205 firefighting helicopter and sending two Cessna 340 planes up in flames, collapsing the air-traffic control tower, obliterating the terminal and hanger and killing or wounding over a hundred people. The other missiles did little damage to the rest of the public part of the island, for the population centers were spread-out and the citizens had received warnings from the government to retreat from their homes until the barrage ended. However, large fires were started in several areas and firefighters and civilian volunteers began to fight them.

The military base at the southern end suffered: The motor pool was ravaged, destroying several Swimgragt Jeeps and ten-ton cargo trucks and a Broadsword R.95 Main Battle Tank. Other vehicles and structures were damaged and set fire to, and twenty-six soldiers were killed or wounded. In the dock the Dr’klow class Frigate XIW Infinitas was damaged, resulting in the grounding of one of her NHI90 helicopters for repairs and the damaging of one of her engines and both Phalanx CIWS weapons systems. The heavy presence of SAMs and the Infinitas's own defense systems, manned by quick-thinking heroic kitsune sailors, prevented the base from being damaged any further. All in all, the island of Xuong, though stricken by the missiles, was still close to its former self. As XGA troops worked to repair their damaged vehicles and buildings and provide disaster aide to the civilians, more still began to take up defensive positions around the island. They knew the Greali landing parties would not be long in coming, and while they might not be able to stop them from taking the island, they would make them pay for every step.

Kaji Island...
Since the declaration of war tourists on Kaji had been frantically trying to book passage off the island to their own home countries or nearby friendly nations that would receive them. The result was a mob of people at the airports and docks, all trying to escape before the Greali came. Kaji would be the best-protected in the attack and have the least missile strikes against it as a result of the defenses, but they were no less devastating. Fields of legally-grown marijuana, tobacco plants, fruit trees and coffee plants were vaporized by the missiles, and large fires started where they had once been. Four resorts, three of them evacuated and one full of visitors, were hit, snuffing them all out and killing or injuring several thousand. Only a couple missiles hit the city of Kaji itself, but one hit a departing cruise ship laden with people and sank it with an enormous loss of life, while the other landed in the downtown district of the city, consuming an entire city block in fire and killing or wounding many thousands more. Police, firefighters and paramedics were mobilized immediately, as were the National Guard to protect the people, set up aide stations and help in any way they could. From Kaji and Xuong messages were sent, military ones to their commanders asking for assistance and requesting orders, and civilian ones seeking to inform the Imperial government and the Emperor of the damages and loss of life.
It was a dark day for the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia.

OOC: Just for clarification, this is open for comment and aide that does not involve direct combat intervention outside of the three main participants, correct?

IC: The Totalitarian State of Red Tide had watched the breakout of hostilities between Greal and the Xiscapian Empire with little interest. The situation warrented some interest from the Red Tidean Government...

Official Statement from TSRT Government
"Let it be known the Totalitarian State declares its neutrality in this conflict. However, the State is more then willing to act as intermediaries for any attempts at cease-fires, prisoner exchanges, and attempts to begin negotiations to end the conflict."
End Statement

Top Secret Message
To Greali Government
From TSRT Government
"The Totalitarian State of Red Tide has noted your decleration of war with the Xiscapian Empire. However, let it be known that we secretly support you in this endeavor. We are willing to supply logistical and munition supplies in support of your endeavor. If you are interested, please reply as such so our representatives may liasion with your personnel to determine the specifics to be exchanged."
End Message

http://s237.photobucket.com/albums/ff41/838millionman/th_Grealflag56-1.jpg
Official Greal Statement
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To: Totalitarian State of Red Tide
Encryption Level: Maximum
Subject: Supplies

We are very interested in your offer. Please continue.

Signed,

Martin Watson
President of Greal
Imperial Republic of Greal

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

Near the coast of Kaji...

"Satellites confirm extensive damage to Kaji and the other islands, but their defenses may have not been weakened significantly. I am ordering smaller cruise missile strikes on our first target, Kaji. After that, the invasion of the is, and is to begin. Any questions?"

Again, another briefing of everyone involved in the operation. Admirals, generals, they were all there. Many were veterans of some of Greal's bloodiest wars. Now they were to fight Xiscapia. Meanwhile, troops were preparing for the landings on Kaji. Many were also veterans, some had even participated in the landings on Brachiosarus.

The cruise missile strikes on the island were small, about one to two thousand at a time until some of the naval ships had exhausted their supply. Greai based carrier aircraft were taking off, patrolling around the fleet bu this time, three hundred F-44 Interceptors were gathered up and sent after Kaji for bombing and to destroy SAMs. This told the people of Kaji and the rest of Xiscapia one thing. The Greali were here.

OOC: Yes Red Tide2, comments are allowed.

Sorry about the short post. I'll post something bigger tomorrow.

Both the lieutenant and sergeant saluted the Xiscapian Emperor with parade-ground precision.

"We will not fail you, Majesty."

Marcus nodded getting a firm grasp on the position of the Xiscapian's position.

"Yes, it seems remaining here would be best. By now, the skies above Xiscapia probably are not as safe as when we arrived."

OOC: Sorry for shortness, but I have to be somewhere.

OOC:
Map (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32752279@N03/3062025687/in/photostream/)
Map Key (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32752279@N03/3058018284/)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg1__cp9698
IC:

Rio Casa General Hospital...
On ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies.
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War

The Emperor gave a small sigh. "Then you must go, and get accommodated: The winters here are harsh, and you may be here for some time. Lieutenant, Sergeant, the XGAHQ is here in Rio Casa, and the XINHQ is in Tenfour if you need to contact it or go there: Those are the two branches which require the most training assistance. Once again, I thank you for your time and help, and I look forward to the time when we can meet again."

As they left the conference room it was noticed Silvertooth had left too, and he hurriedly bowed to Marcus once they were outside the room. "Please, I request your Majesty's presence," he gave a smaller, lighter bow, looking slightly nervous, if his face could be read correctly. Once they were a slight distance away from the rest of the Angenteria Imperial party, out of earshot, Marcus once again found himself facing a kneeling kitsune. "Sire," unlike the Guard Captain, Silvertooth faced the Emperor directly, "I beg for the assistance of the Angenteria military, for the sake of my nation and my father. He is too proud, and too focused on kitsune independence: He does not see that the Greali will annihilate us. It is impossible for us to overcome them, we do not have the weapons nor the troops, and even if we did somehow repel them, it would leave us badly scarred and on the verge of collapse. If you help us, we might have a chance, but our military is simply not big enough. On my knees, sire, I humbly ask for the assistance of your armed forces in this conflict, so that the Kitsune Empire may live on and not be crushed beneath the boots of oppression and tyranny."

Mainland Xiscapia, Đông lạnh tundra, Bầu trời Airbase...
Spies are a most important element in war, because upon them depends an army's ability to move.
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War

Four F-15 Eagle tactical fighters were taxiing on the runway and one by one, as permitted by their commanders, they lifted away into the air, shooting straight up and as the pilots began the long climb towards their targets: The Greali spy satellites. Once in range, tens upon thousands of feet into the air, two jets launched a single ASM-135 ASAT missile each, and others EMP missiles. These four ballistics screamed towards their doomed adversaries in orbit, when the ASATs hit they would tear the surveillance satellites apart, while the EMP pulse would permanently disable any satellite it came in contact with. The Greali could not be allowed to know the locations of vital targets, and it was decided that if they were to invade, they must do it blind. The four fighters peeled off and dropped away, back down to their base to refuel, rearm, and await news of the results of the strikes.


Kaji...
More cruise missiles began to rain down on Kaji, and still more set flammable plants alight, spreading quickly over the foliage. Several hit at or near firefighting sites, destroying vehicles and killing or wounding several dozen, setting back firefighting operations. Several more landed in Kaji, killing hundreds more and demolishing several buildings, and many of the civilians began to evacuate into the countryside, with others hiding out in basements and cellars or frantically trying to get off the island. Many more were intercepted by SAMs, as before, and countermeasures were going at full force, with chaff sprays and decoys going off frequently to distract the enemy flying munitions. At a military base across the lake from Kaji, much activity was going on as troops began to prepare for something.

A strike force of thirty AV8B Harrier fighters and fifty Tupolev Tu-22M bomber jets was being assembled, as the enemy armada had been detected close to Kaji now and the Greali had made the first kills. The pilots and soldiers were infuriated at the Greali strikes, most of them hadn't even been made at military targets, and thousands of innocent kitsune had died because of the cold-hearted terrorism of the enemy.
Now the males and females of the XAF were out for blood.
Slowly they began to lift off, the fighter force and bombers with two different objectives. The Harriers closed quickly to intercept and destroy as many of the incoming bombers as they could, while the Tupolevs, codenamed Blackfires, would strike at the Greali fleets.

Meanwhile some twenty M270 MLRS units gathered at the end of the island closest to the enemy fleet, launchers pointing up into the sky. Each fired off a salvo of twelve M30 rockets, equalling 240 missiles which spread out and headed for four Champion class Supercarriers and two Union class Carriers. Forty missiles each, it was thought, should be enough to cripple, sink or at least put out of action the six vessels.
This first assault, it was felt by Xiscapian High Command, would set the tone for the rest of the war.

Near Kaji...
Attack him where he is unprepared, and appear where you are not expected.
-Sun Tzu, The Art of War.

Meanwhile, a force of five submarines was moving in stealthily and slowly towards the enemy. Their foe had deployed no ASW helicopters or scanning devices, all the better for the K-162 class the Deception, the two Alfa classes Shadow Hunter and Omnipresent, and their two sisters, Lada class vessels Oath and Honor. The Deception, which was in the lead, surfaced not a mile away from the enemy and fired off all ten of her SS-N-9 missiles, 5 at a Nietzsche Class Super Dreadnought, 2 at a Battleaxe class Cruiser, and one at three different Chancellor class Fleet Carriers. Meanwhile the Oath broke the surface as the Deception descended and launched 18 SS-N-16 Stallion Cruise missiles, 6 at a Longsword class supercapital guided missile warship, 2 at a Chamberlain Class Submarine, and the remaining ten at the Feathermore Class SuperDreadnaught. The Honor spat out SET 16 Torpedos, 6 at a Longsword class supercapital guided missile warship, 2 at a Lord class Battleship, 2 at a Chancellor class Fleet Carrier, another 2 at another Chancellor class Fleet Carrier, and the remaining 4 at four separate Hatchet class frigates. Finally the Shadow Hunter and the Omnipresent ended the submarine attack with a volley of thirty six 53-65K Torpedos, with 2 torpedoes each for eighteen Chamberlain Class Submarines. The enemy had never seen the Xiscapian Submarines coming, and it was hoped that by the time the Greali saw the missiles and torpedoes coming it would be much too late and the attack would wreck mass havoc on the armada.

Now came the aerial assault as the eighty-strong aircraft force glided up into the sky, the fifty bombers and thirty fighters breaking off from each other. The Harriers flew to intercept the 300 F-44s, pilots determined and serious. They had been granted an unexpected boon here: The F-44 was intended as an interceptor fighter, not a bomber or dogfighter. As a result the plane was ill-equipped to go on a bombing run over hostile territory, lightly armed and insufficiently armored, and the enemy force, though large, had no fighter escort.
The Harrier pilots waited until the F-44s got out of the protective SAM umbrella of their fleet and out above the sea before they went and had a field day.

A more perfect scenario had never been anticipated: The enemy had no escort, no offensive weapons with which to attack the Harriers with because they were holding bombs to attack Kaji with, were only lightly armored, and were all flying in formation. The sight of so many aircraft all flying in formation was awe-inspiring, a true testament to Greali might, but the kitsune were not worried. They knew the enemy had no teeth. The Xiscapian fighter jets came directly at them, unleashing four AIM-9 Sidewinders each for a total of one hundred and twenty air-to-air missiles each directed at a different enemy bomber, before the fighters past by, wheeled around on the six of the F-44s, and began stroking into their ranks with the GAU-12U "Equalizer" 25 mm cannons they were all equipped with, aiming for the engine of the enemy planes. The bomber force, it had been estimated by High Command, should lose at least a third of it's aircraft within the first assault, and they were not even over land yet!

Further out the Blackfires closed to a range of seven hundred miles from the Greali armada before firing. Each bomber fired off three Raduga Kh-22 missiles, which were reportedly powerful enough to blow a 15 foot wide, 38 foot deep hole in solid steel. 20 of these were directed at a Longsword class supercapital guided missile warship, while 10 went for an enemy Campion Class Supercarrier, a further 10 were sent towards five separate Donnerschlag Class DDG frigates so 2 missiles per each frigate. Another 10 missiles flew towards 10 separate Chamberlain Class Submarines. Another 20 went to a Longsword class supercapital guided missile warship, and the remaining 80 missiles were all directed towards troop carriers in an effort to kill as many Greali Marines as possible, so as to lessen the number of troops that could deploy on the islands. Weapons supply exhausted and mission complete, the Blackfires banked and turned around, headed for home.

Rio Casa

"Very well." Julia said "We shall proceed to the XGA headquarters immediately. Sergeant?"

"Yes, ma'am!." Matius replied, before taking Julia's flank. Together, they turned and marched from the hospital room.

Meanwhile, Emperor Riektal

Meanwhile, Emperor nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you, Emperor Rose. We apologize for putting an extra strain on your people and staff, and I sincerely hope to see you again soon, when you are well. Until then, we would like to wish you a speedy recovery." Marcus didn't know why, but he had noticed that he would treat Emperors and Empresses with a bit more politeness then he would a President or Prime Minister. He supposed it was because that, in today's world, Emperors were a dying breed, and those that remained had to stick together in some form or fashion. Bowing formally, the Angenterians turned, and left the hospital room.

Marcus had made it no more then ten steps out the door of the hospital room when Silvertooth Rose came hurrying up to him, and bowed before the Angenterian.

"I beg for the assistance of the Angenteria military, for the sake of my nation and my father. He is too proud, and too focused on kitsune independence: He does not see that the Greali will annihilate us. It is impossible for us to overcome them, we do not have the weapons nor the troops, and even if we did somehow repel them, it would leave us badly scarred and on the verge of collapse. If you help us, we might have a chance, but our military is simply not big enough. On my knees, sire, I humbly ask for the assistance of your armed forces in this conflict, so that the Kitsune Empire may live on and not be crushed beneath the boots of oppression and tyranny."

Marcus folded his arms, like he always did when he focused, and listened to the Kitsune prince practically beg him for help. The young Prince seemed very convinced that his country would collapse without direct military intervention. Marcus sighed, as if deliberating over a very hard decision.

"You don't have to bow to me." Marcus began "You're not one of my subjects." He said, waiting for the kitsune to rise before continuing "I told your father that Angenteria wouldn't get that involved." He said. "But if we stay out of it, Xiscapia will most likely be destroyed." He paused, before sighing again. "I understand your father's reasoning. Trust me, my Father was just like him before he passed away." He considered it for a moment. He wasn't that much older than the Kitsune prince standing before him. Still in his twenties, Marcus was certainly one of the youngest Emperors Angenteria has ever had. Life and death was certainly a tricky thing. "...Alright. Angenteria will help you in this conflict."

OOC: Remember, I haven't declared war one anyone yet, and I haven't even begun to amass my troops.

The HIVE Complex…………

The HIVE was Xharn’s underground equivalent of the United States Norad project. A massive underground command center that is capable of running the Fatherland in case of WMD bombardment. The HIVE was also the nerve center of the Totalitarian Military State of Xharn serving as the hub of their intelligence gathering for military and political matters.


The HIVE was currently visited by the top leaders of the Fatherland to discuss the upcoming war between the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia and the Imperial Republic of Greal the meeting went something like this…


“So, Greal is trying to expand into the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia and add even more territory into itself?” Asked, Patron Joseph Stormberg the undisputed dictator of the Fatherland. His Exalted Excellency, looked upon his compatriots and asked, “How does this problem affect us in any way shape or form?”


The members of the National High Command all looked amongst each other and one of them finally spoke in a humble voice, “Your Exalted Excellency, the Imperial Republic of Greal is highly militaristic and warlike. They have been involved in a number of minor wars all across the planet. They could pose a threat to the State should we ever choice to advance ourselves and start expanding outside of our own territory…”


The Patron looked at his subordinate and finally said, “I mean, don’t get me wrong. I can’t blame their reasoning to going to war with the Kitsune Empire. I would probably attempt to crush this furry problem myself if it did effect my fatherland. The only reason we have not had this problem is because our Secret police and Military Police keep our people in line and keep dissident behavior under control.”

The National High Command members all smiled at the thought of anyone trying to be dumb enough to wear a furry suite and receiving a bullet in the middle of the street and one of them finally said, “My Patron, I suggest we support the Kitsune Empire secretly to keep Greal’s military ambitions in check and gain an advantage when we are finally forced to expand to support our huge population!”


The Patron smiled and said, “Okay, send out a Directive stating our neutrality and then send a Top Secret Directive to the Kitsune Empire with our regards in the form of munitions, arms, and civilian personnel…”


The National High Command nodded in agreement with their leader and left their seats to carry out the Patron’s plan….







Establishing Communication Channel…

Receiving Incoming Message…..



Official State Directive......

The Totalitarian Military State of Xharn
The Ministry of Foreign Relations

The Totalitarian Military State of Xharn declares a state of neutrality in the war between the Kitsune Empire and the Imperial Republic of Greal. The Fatherland has no interest in either nation and as such they both can destroy each other in their wanton destruction..


The Fatherland wishes you both a good day, and prays for the souls of your fallen soldiers and civilians. May they find peace in the next life that they could not in this world…







Signed,

Grand Ambassador Gerald Nomato
Head of Foreign Relations, Grand Ambassador




Secret IC:


Encoded Transmission……..

Unlocking Transmission…………….


Establishing Communication Channel…

Receiving Incoming Message…..



Unofficial State Directive......

The Totalitarian Military State of Xharn
Xharnian Intelligence Agency Covert Relations

To: The Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia
From: The Xharnian Intelligence Agency (X.I.A.)
Subject: Covert Help…

The Xharnian Intelligence Agency would like to give your weakened Empire a helping hand. The Patron of Xharn is willing to provide your nation with a number of weapons ranging from DAC-97 Submachine guns to DR-83 tactical rifles and even ammunition for these weapons. We also have a number of civilian personnel we are willing to send for both medical and logistic support in your war effort.

We just ask that you protect them from the immediate fighting of your nation’s war with the Imperial Republic of Greal. We are also willing to donate 15 billion credits (Standard Xharnian Currency) to your war effort…







Signed,

Alice Rose
Head of the Xharnian Intelligence Agency, Mistress of Section 1

Xiscapian Space

Only three satellites remained, and these satellites had their missiles still. The Greali Satellite Command figured the remaining satellites would be shot down over Xiscapia, so orders were given to drop their remaining missiles, including the EMP missiles (They were designed to affect anything within a fifty mile radius.) on airfields, but the largest warheads would be dropped on civilian areas on purpose. If the Xiscapians wanted to shoot down their satellites, then their civilian population would pay for it.

Near Kaji....

The Greali were not stupid. Though the F-44 Interceptors were supposed to bomb enemy positions, they did carry anti-aircraft weapons with them, since there was expectation that the F-44 Interceptors would almost certainly meet enemy aircraft. The aircraft were picked up quickly already and the F-44 Interceptors, though designed as an interceptor, at least had overwhelming numbers. As the Xiscapians fired their missiles, the Greali fighters were firing their own Sidewinders, though each aircraft was only armed with two, that meant six hundred missiles. Greali and Xiscapian pilots would both die today. Nearly one third of the Greal fighters were shot down, including two squadron leaders, but at least they fought.

MLRS rockets were intercepted by a variety of missile defenses from the Champion class Carriers, from 30 mm Goalkeeper CIWS to RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles. Nevertheless, not all systems were perfect and the carrier Warrior suffered heavy damage and a thousand causalities since it was the closet of the carriers. (Strangely, only half of its F-44 Interceptors were in the air fighting the Xiscapian fighters and many of the fighters were damaged or destroyed.). The Union Class Carriers were better off then the Champion carriers. They had titanium-vanadium-aluminium armor plus reinforced steel and more weapons then an army could hope for. Both carriers suffered light damage.

The submarines however were immediately picked up by the active sonar scans made by anti-submarine helicopters dispatched from one of the Longsword class ships. The enemy submarines chose to attack the surface ships first, which gave the Chamberlain class submarines time to fire their torpedoes at the enemy submarines, who were just beginning to open up their fire on the Greali ships. Since the Xiscapian submarines were were picked up, the Greali ships on the surface were on alert, and when the Xiscapian submarines surfaced and fired, at least the Greali were also firing whatever they had, from missile batteries on the Longsword class ships to Battleaxe class cruisers that were firing whatever torpedoes they had ready. The Xiscapian submarines however, scored several hits. The Nietzsche Class Super Dreadnought, Titan was hit by three of the cruise missiles and suffered extensive damage to several parts of the ship. One of the Chancellor class carriers were hit, but the damage control system and efforts of crewman kept the ship in service. Three hundred crewmen were listed as wounded or dead.

The Xiscapian cruise missiles fired at the Longsword class supercapital guided missile warships were nearly all shot down by the efficient LY4031 missiles but two blasted one of the Longsword class ship's bridge into near chaos, with the commanding officer dead, his second in command also dead, third in command badly wounded. The Xiscapian submarines at least had hit some of their targets, and three naval ships were sinking already. (two Hatchet class frigates and one Lord Class battleship.) and about dozen were heavily damaged (two frigates, one battleship, five destroyers, one carrier, and three submarines) with another dozen with light damage.

The Blackfires missiles encountered more missiles form the now alert Greali fleet. Nearly all were shot down, but three Donnerschlag Class DDGs and three troop ships were hit, and one of them nearly obliterating the bridge of the DDG, killing half the crew. The ship sank after a hour of taking on water. By then, the remaining crew was evacuated to the nearby carriers. Two of the other DDGs were heavily damaged and towed away. Nearly half of a marine division was killed instantly by the cruise missiles. The rest of the marines quickly evacuated their ship, but most of their equipment was left behind to sink into Xiscapian waters. Six other troop ships were damaged by the attack, and their crews and soldiers on board were moved to other ships.

Now the Greali navy would strike back....

Rio Casa, Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps Headquarters...

Highest Level of Encryption
Top Secret
To: The Xharnian Intelligence Agency (X.I.A.)
From: Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps (XDC)
Subject: Re Covert Help

The Imperial Administration welcomes the help from the Xharnian Intelligence Agency. We would be willing to accept all fifteen billion in funds and any medical personnel you could afford us to assist our own doctors in helping our wounded soldiers and civilians. No Xharnian citizen will be deployed near the front lines, and if the situation becomes dire we will extract your personnel and use a third party to ship them back to you. A short list of general weapons types that are needed has been provided below, and may be chosen from in quantities and manufacturers at your discretion.

Small Arms Needed:
-Sniper rifles
-Guided missile launchers, preferably of a heavy anti-armor or anti-air variant
-Anti-personnel land mines
-Concealable pistols or submachine guns

It is recommended you transport your personnel, as well as any weapons and munitions you decide to send, by air or submarine, as the waters around Xiscapia are no longer safe, due to the encroaching Greali armada.

A thousand thanks for your assistance in this unfortunate matter,
Ambassador Vorn

Highest Level of Encryption
Top Secret
To: The Imperium of Telros
From: Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps (XDC)
Subject: Assistance

The Imperium of Telros was noticed by the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia during the despicable Furry Genocides, as they are known, when she took on large numbers of quote unquote 'furries' from nations who either sought to deport them or were actively attempting to destroy them. This action, combined with a sentient Bill of Rights issued by the Imperium, gained immense approval from the Kitsune Empire and gave us hope. Now, Comrades, our country is under attack by a nation which actively attempted to kill every 'furry' within it's borders: The Fascist Dictatorship of Greal, as it is called here along with other, unprintable names, perhaps better known as the Imperial Republic of Greal. The attack came without provocation, and already both terrorist attacks sanctioned or operated by Greali agents and strikes from the enemy armada already within our territorial waters have killed dozens of military personnel and thousands of civilians. While we cannot ask for troops nor medical or logistics personnel to be sent (noting the Imperium is embroiled in it's own conflict), but we do humbly request funds for the war effort against these innocent-murdering aggressors and, if possible, weapons (such as missile launchers and sniper rifles), munitions (such as rockets, mines and mortars) and small ships (such as patrols or midget submarines) or aircraft that can be airdropped into our territory. We realize that not all, or perhaps even none of these are possible, but if we do not request we know we shall never receive.
Stay strong and find victory in all things, Comrades. There are not many noble states like the Imperium left.

Humbly,
Chief Ambassador Maladict
Head of the Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps

Orbit...
By now all eyes were on the sky, and the satellites and their dangerous rockets were actively being tracked. When they fired the ground defense SAM sites on Xiscapia responded immediately, firing off intercepting missiles to prevent the enemy weapons from hitting the chosen targets. Taking no chances they fired at least three shots for every Greali missile, and the only damage which occurred was an EMP burst over an airfield, putting the base out of action for at least the next several days. The space threat had finally ended: There were no longer any spy satellites or stocked weapons satellites in orbit over the Kitsune Empire. Several military satellites rotated, firing thrusters, and focused in on the waters around the Troi Island chain...

Near Kaji...
It was unfortunate that the F-44s had not been purely armed with bombs, as had been anticipated. The maneuver cost eighteen pilots their lives and the destruction of en equal number of planes, most never even seeing the rockets that ended their lives. However, the surviving dozen Harriers penetrated the Greali formation and the enemy Sidewinders became just as deadly to their own planes as they did to the Xiscapian ones as they tried to track their targets and encountered the F-44s and each other. The Harriers were careful to orbit close to the bombers and to try and hug any given F-44 so that is a missile struck them, it would take their enemy down with them. The cannons continued to fire as they danced though the enemy, waiting for the missiles to all detonate or run out of fuel so they could continue the slaughter.

Meanwhile the XIW Deception was long gone beneath the frigid waves, and the Honor, Shadow Hunter and Omnipresent were already fleeing the area as the Greali began to retaliate, the agile Alfa and Lada classes easily outrunning the enemy torpedos and dropping soundmakers behind them to distract the underwater missiles. However, the unlucky Oath had been left on the surface, and before her Captain could order her to fill her ballast tanks and submerge she was hit by two torpedos in rapid succession, one shearing off the stern of the ship and crippling the Xiscapian craft. Listing badly from the hole made by the second weapon the crew began to abandon ship, scrambling out the top hatch and into the bitterly cold water, several already having been killed. The Captain, a young, tawny-furred kitsune named Tanji on his first mission, was coming to the realization that it would also be his last. Standing in his control room he held up a map of the underwater minefields around the Troi Island Chain that every Captain had, used so Xiscapian warships could traverse though and safely guide civilian craft and not accidentally strike the mines. If the Greali got ahold of it they would be able to move though Xiscapian waters without fear, and it would take little time for their ships to be floating in the harbor of Tenfour itself. He knew it would be exceedingly painful, and that he could possibly die, but it was his duty and his country must be free. With great deliberation the Xiscapian folded the paper, opened his mouth and swallowed it, gagging slightly, feeling the icy water beginning to pool around his ankles. They might have destroyed his ship, they might kill him and his crew, but they would never have safe passage while the military was still active!

The Captain joined those who remained, a mere sixteen others, on the three inflatable rafts that were now drifting in the sea as the twenty-one other souls sank behind them with the Oath as their tomb. He and the other dozen kitsune and three humans huddled in their boats and hoped the small swells would take them towards Kaji or Xuoung, and not towards the Greali armada distantly seen though the light fog and gray clouds.

Rio Casa, XGAHQ...
The headquarters of the Xiscapian Grand Army was an imposing structure, towering thirty floors high and certainly as many deep, surrounded by National Guard soldiers armed with G-37 assault rifles. The Lieutenant and her subordinate First Sergeant, pinked by the cold, were escorted inside by two of these kitsune, and the interior of the HQ, while calm, clean and brightly-lit on the outside lobby and halls, was full of officers and technicians with thousands of computers, gathering, coordinating and deploying forces by means of long rows of computer terminals inside high, dim rooms on desks covered in papers and folders. The office of General Dom himself was at the highest point on the building at the end of a long hall. Inside the kitsune, coated with orange fur, sat in a rotating chair behind a great wooden desk, his office cool, sterile and devoid of personal touch beyond a bookcase filled with military texts and what appeared to be a diploma, or perhaps some kind of award, framed on the wall behind him. The entire right wall was actually a window, shading weak winter light on the room where two chairs had already been placed with steaming mugs of coffee and small packets of sugar and creamer and a small container of milk.

From the first moments one lay eyes on him, both Angenterians would get the sense that this was not a person to mess with. He (http://nomad.artspots.com/image/5033/pax-vulpicana) appeared to be coldly sizing them both up, looking for weakness, and indeed it was rumored (well out of his earshot) that if you were to look into his eyes you would not see a soul, but rather endless streams of numbers and calculations. A veteran of the Xiscapian War of Succession, Master General Dom had crushed the rebels more than a decade ago, gaining the respect of the militia soldiers under his command and the notice of the Emperor himself. The moment the Xiscapian Grand Army had been set up, Dom had been chosen to lead it, and he could not have refused. Now he faced the first real threat to the Kitsune Empire since that time, and all his time, knowledge and energy would go into annihilating the Greali troops on land.

"So," he gave a brief bow and indicated the chairs, meaning for them to sit down, "these are those whom the powers-that-be have seen fit to send me to train my exceedingly green, untested troops? I do hope they've chosen wisely," a smile that was more like a baring of teeth, "the enemy numbers are great, and his experience long and varied. No mistakes can be tolerated."
They'd have to earn the respect of this one.

Rio Casa General Hospital...

Silvertooth seemed taken aback at the request to stand, and was momentarily caught between the urges of tradition and the desire of the one who he was requesting help from. A moment later he stood as asked, and listened to Marcus weigh his options.
The Prince grinned widely as the foreign Emperor agreed to help, bowing deeply. "Sire honors myself and my people," he said, forgetting the Riektal's request not to bow. "Your help is greatly appreciated, and will be greatly needed. I only hope this war will be ended quickly and decisevly, so less blood from both our people's may be spilled."

As he straightened up a servant came nearly running down the hall, flanked by two Black Guards, holding a large folder in his hands. "My Lords!" He bowed, filled with nervous excitement. "I have received a dispatch from the IID concerning the first strike against the Greali. The results are here."
Silvertooth extracted the papers from inside, most of them being photos of the armada before, at various times during, and just after the attack, and final satellite picture being mostly obscured by smoke from burning vessels. He took a look as the list on a single sheet of paper, taking care to allow Marcus to see it:

OFFICIAL IMPERIAL INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT DISPATCH
Please note all of the following are estimates with varying margins of error
(Casualties have a +/- margin of 5%)
All data may not be accurate

Greali Armada:

DESTROYED OR SUNK:
1x Lord class Battleship
3x Donnerschlag Class Destroyers
2x Hatchet class frigates
3x Troop Ships
9x ENEMY VESSELS DESTROYED OR SUNK

CRIPPLED OR NO LONGER FIT FOR COMBAT DUTY:
1x Nietzsche Class Super Dreadnought
2x Champion class Carriers
1x Lord class Battleship
3x Chamberlain class Submarines
7x Donnerschlag class Destroyers
2x Hatchet class frigates
6x Troop Ships
22x ENEMY VESSELS CRIPPLED OR NO LONGER FIT FOR COMBAT DUTY

DAMAGED:
1x Longsword class supercapital guided missile warship
2x Union class Carriers
1x Champion class Carrier
1x Chancellor class Fleet Carrier
1x Lord class Battleship
3x Chamberlain class Submarines
5x Donnerschlag class Destroyers
2x Hatchet class Frigates
16X ENEMY VESSELS DAMAGED

CASUALTIES: Approximately 12,000 WIA/KIA

Silvertooth looked worried. "They came much quicker than we anticipated...they must have been planning this for some time." He sighed. "Even if we achieve another ten such victories, it will not be enough to stop them. Now do you see why we cannot defeat them alone?"

Troi Island Chain

Now the underwater submarines were vulnerable to the equally fast destroyers who were lashing out at the enemy submarines, such as firing torpedoes and anti-submarine helicopters were already hitting hard.

Meanwhile, the Greali F-44 Interceptors continued, some fired while others distracted, since the cannon had to use skill and precision, not like heat seeking missiles the Greali had to destroy the enemy. Some of the empty F-44 Interceptors headed off empty while fifty Eurofighters armed to the teeth were now being sent to combat. They were armed to the teeth. The Xiscapian pilots were about the pay the price.

Soon after the missile attacks ended, the Greali fleet slowly began to edge away as its ships began resuming their attacks on Troi Island Chain. Though the cruise missile attacks were concentrated on Xuong Island or Mau Island. Meanwhile, a dozen special ops teams were being smuggled in by subs unto Mau Island. They would take out any resistance since these were the lite of the Greali army. Meanwhile, the marines began preparations for invasion of the two islands. Many were eagerly waiting to get off the ships.

Rio Casa
XGAHQ

Initially, the two Angenterians were quite impressed with what they saw at the Grand Army Headquarters. It was efficient, clean, and most importantly, organized. It seemed that the Xiscapian Grand Army was, at least, more then just a bunch of untrained, unorganized militia troopers in stylish uniforms and face-concealing visors. At least the Xiscapians were capable of organizing an army. Eventually, the guards led them down a labyrinth of computer-filled rooms and winding hallways, until they got to the General's office.

So, these are those whom the powers-that-be have seen fit to send me to train my exceedingly green, untested troops? I do hope they've chosen wisely, the enemy numbers are great, and his experience long and varied. No mistakes can be tolerated.

"Master General Dom, I presume." Julia began, taking a seat. "Lieutenant Julia Bennington, and my associate, First Sergeant Garrus Matius." She took a sip of the coffee, considering how to begin. This one spoke with a stern voice, revealing a cold, calculating persona. The perfect psyche for a Master General. Julia set the mug down on the table again. "I suppose you can begin by telling us where the Army is at it's weakest."

-------------------------------------------------
Rio Casa
General Hospital

Emperor Riektal raised an eyebrow as Silvertooth again stooped to bow, but decided to just let it go. It was obvious that this was deeply embedded in his, and probably every kitsune from this country's, psyche.

Hearing a voice from down the corridor, Marcus turned his head to see the figure of another person, probably a servant, come running up to them. He handed a folder to Silvertooth, and Marcus peered over to see, and raised an eyebrow. It appeared to be satellite imagery of the opening salvos of the war. It seemed that many Greali ships had already been destroyed or crippled, but were still coming at them. The Grealis has organized a massive armada and invasion force against Xiscapia. Certainly, this was overkill.

"Certainly looks that way." Marcus nodded gravely. "I can see why our help is so desperately needed." Honestly, though, he wondered if the Imperial Navy could handle this type of fleet...it must have taken months just to get this armada all together...

"Very well." He said, showing confidence. "I'll give the order."

Illesia City, Alversia

"How long has this war been going on?" The Prime Minister Sammi Owens asked, leaning on her rather expansive desk, in the large and fully equipped room, looking on the reports that had just been placed in front of her by the Foreign Minister, her own Official Source and by the Chairman of Pax Securia, Alversia's Mercenary Company. She reread the first part of the report then sighed heavily.
This Kingdom, this Xiscapian Empire was being hit and hit hard by the Greali Empire, for what reason, she did not yet know. She had to read more of the reports to get a proper sense of what had happened in this little and faraway country.

"We don't know Ma'am," Reading, the Foreign Minister responded quietly, "But at the moment, it seems like the Greali have launched the attack unprovoked."

"Very well," Owens sighed, the Alversian People kept only small Armed Forces, intended for nothing more than homeland defence, not for military intervention. She had no reason to do so after all and it was a frightful waste of resources.

"Well," She stated firmly, "I can report this to the House but they won't like involvement at all. I can suggest something though," She smiled.

Secret Communique to Xiscapian Government

We, the people of Alversia, have noticed your plight in trying to defend your people from relentless and prejuidiced attacks from the Greali Empire. With this in mind, the Alversian People's Republic respectfully requests permission to send volunteer Pilots to aid you in your war. We shall bring our own fighters to the war though they will expect to be supported logistically by your own Internal Services system.

With all respects

Prime Minister Sammi Owens.

Xharnia…………




The message from the Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps was processed and received, The X.I.A. promptly sent a report down to the Fatherland’s armament and munitions factories to the North of Xharn. The factories were supported by thousands of workers made up of all ages both male and female. They were being supervised by several Military Police Soldiers armed with DAC-97 Submachine Guns. They report was given to the Command Supervisors of each factory to send their latest shipments of weapons to the docks in Goldenheim…..


Large Cargo Trucks were loaded with crates of DAC-97 submachine guns and DR-83 Tactical Rifles along with Death Dealer Pistols equipped with silencers. They also packed in several Anti-Air smart missiles that could be used to help take down Greali aircraft. The landmines would have to come in the next shipment thanks to the sheer amount needed to keep the border defended to the East and North…


These trucks moved in a convoy to the port city of Goldenheim in the south, They would then be loaded up by submarine and handed over to Section 13 of the X.I.A. Section 13 was an interesting section with the Xharnian Intelligence Agency their job was criminal infiltration but this was to be their cover if captured. They were to admit they were Xharnian gangsters that were supplying the Kitsune Empire and give the Fatherland deny ability to official or unofficial government support….



Goldenheim….


The port city bustled as large transport ships and military war vessels entered the harbors of Goldenheim. Xharnian dock workers quickly loaded the supplies onboard while the civilian workers were forced to walk across the brow and enter the official way inside the submarine. It would soon be a matter of hours before the first wave of the Xharnian subs headed out to give their badly needed supplies to Xiscapia….


Submarines:

4 Hydra Class Attack Subs
6 Sea Turtle Class Ballistic Subs

Supply List

30,000 Dac-97 Submachine Guns
40.000 DR-83 Tactical Rifles
65,000 Death Dealer Pistols
800 Anti Air Smart Missiles

Civilian personnel
30 Medical Doctors
30 Construction Workers
13 Logistics Officers
2 Political Loyalty Officers
1 Captain of the Civilian personnel

Quantum Encryption
Ultra Secret
To: Prince Silvertooth
From: The Office of the Archon
Robert Ryan Fortier ~Hexx
Subject: Need Help?

Greetings Prince Silvertooth. Please forgive me for making your aquaintence under such clandestine means.

I see that once again that anti furry assholes are trying to make a nuisance of themselves. While unfortuantely I can not, what with the Fall of Imitora, send my fleets into open battle, but would you care to rent a fleet or two- and the personell to man it properly. I think a dollar a day per fleet would be adequate. Also I have some extraneous orbital assets that you might wish to take loan of.

I have four hospital ships sitting idle as well as the taskforce needed to ecort them, I am directing them to begin travel to Xiscapia, just in case you have need of them. They too are fully manned, BUT I must advise you that given the investment they repressent that should these vessel be aggressed upon by any nation, their escorts will be forced to actively defend them.

Might I drop by? I have a hypersonic transport on standby so I can visit you on short notice. I would like to discuss further assisstances.

Please feel free to give me a call at *** - * - *** - ****

Sincerely,
Tob

He who is skilled in attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven, making it impossible for the enemy to guard against him.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War

XAFHQ, Xiscapian Satellite Command, Orbital Arms branch...

"Magnify."
The real-time image cleared somewhat, losing the graininess and showing a sharper picture: Several enemy DDGs, of the Donnerschlag or Blitzschnell class most likely, and a number of ASW helicopters, all in pursuit of the four Xiscapian submarines which, from up here, were invisible. It was difficult to see, but the helos and ships were firing off torpedoes which were detonating on the surface or simply skimming near the top, unable to hit the submerged vessels. They posed no threat now, and if the enemy craft tried to follow too far they would run into the island defenses as the Deception, Honor, Shadow Hunter and Omnipresent made for their berths, but nevertheless it had been decided that the Xiscapians would strike a little fear into the hearts of the enemy with Operation Hammer of Thor. Named for the Norse God of Thunder, Hammer of Thor would be carried out quickly, silently and with no risk to any Xiscapian personnel in an effort to warn the Greali armada away from making a landing on Xuong or Kaji too soon.

The Commander of the OACOMM-SAT looked over the photos from one of the military spy satellites he had been provided with, and selected a target.

Orbit...

The 'Poor Man's Orbital Strike', as it was affectionately referred to by some members of the OA, was rather unimpressive looking: Simply a bundles of metal bars with a GPS receiver, a few moving weights, small fins attached, and a basic communications link. Upon receiving the proper transmissions one bundle, using the weights to lower itself and the fins to guide it, began to glide towards the earth, spreading into three separate kinetic projectile bars. Now over the ocean inside the Troi Island Chain, the trio began their decent. Accelerating to over twelve thousand feet per second, the kill-vehicles had a CEP (Circular Error of Probability) of ten to twenty feet, not enough to vary their course greatly enough to prevent them from striking their targets: Two of the pursuing Destroyers and a Union class Carrier. The incredibly high closing velocity and tiny radar cross-section would make the rods impossible to intercept. Striking at such speeds, the EKVs would at least sink, although more likely entirely obliterate, the three ships.

Near Kaji...
The Harriers continued to blow F-44s out of the sky, there was so many of the enemy it was difficult not to hit one. After a time the surviving Squadron Leader called his jets back and they turned and sped away, back to Kaji even as the Blackfires began to land on the runways at the airfield. The Xiscapians had exhausted their supplies of Sidewinders destroying the enemy bomber force, and they had no wish to tangle with the larger, fresh Group of Eurofighters. Meanwhile the SAM sites all over the island prepared for a possible bomber attack if the F-44 Groups elected to keep going, loading missiles into canisters on vehicles, shoulder-fired launchers and the cells on the Longsword class superheavy missile capital in the harbor, the XIW Tears of the Sun. It was expected the enemy would begin to attempt landing troops and armor soon, and the kitsune were hurrying to ready for them, formidable weapons and area-denial devices going up.

Mau...

As the Special Ops soldiers disembarked on the beach of Mau they would find it a desolate, grim place: The waves that washed over their boots were ice cold and choppy, tall, pointed rocks standing sentinel both on land and in the water, sands gray and littered with bits of twisted metal from the cruise missile strikes, much of the vegetation up a short slope blackened and dead. A mournful wind from the foggy mountains ahead whistled in their ears and the area seemed deserted, until-
Crack.
They began to take sniper fire from the jungle, impossible to tell from where or what kind of weapons, but the beach had many rocks and boulders to use as cover. The sharpshooters were firing at the men in general, trying to strike the main biomass of any given trooper, rather than attempting crippling or headshots.

Meanwhile the survivors of the sunken Oath were being pushed by swells towards Mau, the seamen staring out into the spray at the forty square mile island. The Captain began laying out a plan for his crew: "Most of you have a service pistol or combat knife of some kind, but Mau is friendly territory as far as we know, for the moment. We should be able to find shelter among the natives until we can be picked up or, God forbid, the duration of the conflict, at least in this area. I want all of you to assist with disaster aide and repair on this island, we've received reports from Xoung and RECSAT that Mau's been heavily bombarded by cruise missiles from the Armada. We should know more about the situation once we arrive and make contact."

Rio Casa, XGAHQ...

"Where?" Dom gave a humorless laugh. "Where do you mean, Lieutenant? In our small quantities of equipment? Our dwindling munitions stocks? Our less-than-adequate armoured forces? In the fact that ninety-five percent of my troops have never seen action?" He shook his head, voice bitter. "It would be easier to tell you our strong points: My soldiers have spirit and fight, what has occurred since this war began has angered them and they itch to engage the enemy. Our Close-Quarters-Combat skills are virtually unmatched, and all my officers are intelligent and have studied closely books of tactics to use against any foe in any situation. We are determined, and we have homeground advantage and the training of the troops is satisfactory, but our numbers are few, we have no great stockpiles of weapons, and have never been forced to fight before. If you wish for a purpose, then this is it: Teach my officers and men how to overcome great odds and masses of enemy soldiers. Instruct them in the construction of fortifications and the building of traps. And most of all, never let them forget who it is they are fighting, and what he has done to us and our people."

Rio Casa, General Hospital...

"Indeed-" Silvertooth broke off as another servant came forth bearing a message: Not a government-wide one, but to him, specifically. Opening the confidential transmission, Silvertooth ready quickly, smiling once, then his jaw dropped in surprise, eyes wide. "Ahh..." He managed, then bent to the servant, whispering a quick stream of instructions to him. The kitsune nodded in understanding, bowed, and left, moving at a rapid pace. Saying nothing of it, he looked to Marcus. "Shall we proceed to the Imperial Palace, Sire? I'm sure you are anxious to get comfortable."


Highest Level of Encryption
To: Robert Ryan Fortier ~Hexx (by way of fax, *** - * - *** - ****)

From: Prince Silvertooth Rose, Son of his Imperial Majesty Emperor Foxfire Rose of the Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia
Subject: Re Need Help?

Greetings and salutations,
I regret I cannot speak to you directly as this time. However, the Kitsune Empire could use military assets and various other sundry items in these troubled times. I am very interested in meeting you personally, and if you wish to stop by for a drink and the hammering out of assistance at the Imperial Palace it would not go amiss. I will have airspace cleared for your particular type of plane, although I might warn you Greali patrols are about and may be apt to attempt and bring you down. You may land directly at the Palace if you wish: It is equipped with it's own runway where I am sure we can hold and service your jet.
Anticipation is half the gift,
Silvertooth Rose

Highest Level of Encryption
Top Secret
To: Prime Minister Sammi Owens.
From: Xiscapian Diplomatic Corps (XDC)
Subject: Volunteers

Please export to us your Volunteer pilots and their aircraft at your earliest possible convenience. They will be repainted in Xiscapian colors on arrival, unless of course your servicemen wish to do it themselves. The XAF has sufficient equipment and personnel to service, repair, arm and prep your fighters as needed.

Many thanks,
Ambassador Vorn

Illesia City, Alversia

Sammi Owens read the reply from the Xiscapian government and smiled to herself as she looked outside at the city that was Illesia. The Capital city was peaceful, cars and horns aside, a cosmopolitan city were one came to discuss finance or stroll around many of the parks that were dug into the centre of the grey mass that made up a city. Of course, the city was also helped by the canels that intersected it at various points, a throwback to it's days as the Tugboat capital of Alversia in the last century. Of course, now that aircraft and trains had taken over as the chief transport for heavy good, the canels had been cleaned up and were now filled with sparking water, one of which ran directly below her office. Even now she could hear the Ducks.

Alversia could not get involved in the war for a number of reasons, they were against warfare of any kind and to fight would be to violate the neutrality agreements that she had put in place in order to remain unnoticed in a world of big fishes. That, then, lead on to the size of the Alversian Armed Forces. Small, highly trained, very well armed and equipped. However, it was a Defence Force only, not intended for anything other than defending the country itself. In any external conflict, they're contribution would be small to minimal and, with such threats in the world, it was impossible to detach even a Battalion from it's current duties in defence. Alversia's Navy was likewise designed to patrol for smugglers, not to fight fleets of Super Carriers. On the other hand, it's air force was more than willing to help.

The Alversian People's Air Force did not allow it's pilots to take part in other wars while still in the service of the people. Of course, this meant they had to be discharged. Once they left the Air Force, they would be alone, far from the nearest Alversian base and it would be impossible for them to be rescued in the event of the county's collapse.

Even so, this had not stopped a large number from being...discharged from the Air Force and defecting with their aircraft to the Xiscapian Air Force. A number of pilots were already in the country, either on holiday or being sent ahead as Observers. Now, of course, they could be folded in with the rest of these 'Deserters'.

Sammi Owens leant back in her chair and smiled, satisfied that she had done her part.

1500 hours
160 miles south of Xiscapia

Captain John Toner checked his cockpit clock for what felt like the thousandth time since he had taken off and sighed. He did not like what he was doing here. It felt much too risky, much to dangerous but he supposed that it had to be done, there was no other way of doing it. According to Alversian Spy Satellites, the Greali were swarming all over the East of the Country, just off the coast and he did not fancy running into the swarms of fighters and SAM's that would be protecting the Super Carriers and Cruise Missile Ships of the invading Fleet. On the other hand, to the South, they were fine, the Greali had not advanced this far yet, waiting until they had taken the outer island before coming this close to the mainland. Even so, it still felt...wrong.

John Toner had had more than enough experience in deciding what was right and what was wong. He had been in the Air Force for years and in planes all his life, thanks to his parent's flight school. He had flown against the Igorian Confederacy, a country on Alversia's northern borders who had launched several raids across the Alversian border. The skirmishes had lasted for a year and a half, killing hundreds on both sides and thousands in the middle. During that time, Captain Toner had flown numerous combat missions for the APAF and had proven himself to be an exceptional pilot, shooting down 14 Igorian F-16s and MiG-29s during the various battles above the forests in Alversia's Northern border. He knew how to fight.

At the moment though, he was running a formation of 60 Aircraft to Xiscapia, to take part in the battles that were threatening the country. He and his fellows had all be valued members of the APAF, yet this country needed their services more and so he had accepted a discharge, taken an R.430 that had been stripped of it's ID number and radial, so as to be unidentifyable. With any luck, they would be painted by the Xiscapian Air Force and armed with Xiscapian weapons. He and his 74 pilots were placing their lives in the hands of these total strangers.

He judged himself to be in range of Xiscapian Ground Communications and so sent a signal,
"Xiscapian Military Control, this is Exile One, guiding lost Children to meeting point. Care to oblige?

In short, he wanted somewhere to land, somewhere to hold 60 modified Eurofighters he hoped.

Temporary Miraaderic Quarters aboard the battlecruiser CNS Ardent
Graceland Bay, Catawaba

The Alpha Miraade Errant Mira'ad looked over the diplomatic letter from the Archon and his friend Robert Fortier~Hexx. He looked back at the accompanying intelligence supplied to his intelligence service, codenamed SubRosa.

Even though blind, his Counselor for Foreign Affairs, Lolimba Bevu, could sense the thoughts boiling around in his head. "Dire, no?"

Errant glanced up at his aunt with her wrinkled dark skin. A full blooded native, she was the highest Taung in his government. He only half-counted as he was only half Taung. He looked back down at the intel again and then up at the theater map showing the blinking icon for the CNS Raul Enchante's Carrier Battle Group. "It's like Saint Fabian but worse."

Lolimba nodded. "It is not Jingoism and the greed for land but the thirst for Werlaara'ade blood."

Werlaara'ade, in the Taung language it meant 'children of myth.' It was the term for all non-humans including those so misnamed 'furries.' They were an incredibly small percentage of the nation's population, but they had unproportionally large influence and public support. Twenty-four human-canine genetic hybrids called vornskrari were Errant's fictive kin, a part of his allit or family clan. Those twenty-four served in the Miraaderic Guard, Errant's personal protection and Catawaba's special operations branch. They'd gained the respect not only of the military but also populace for their heroic actions during the first hours of the invasion of the Skull Kingdom and their dogged, pun intended, strikes and raids on remaining warlords in the destabilized nation.

He’d been looking at this situation for the past couple of days. The smuggled out cell phone videos, telephoto camera pictures of atrocities, supposedly perpetrated by the Grealis. It was all unsubstantiated, but the Greali rhetoric sounded correct enough for Greal to be liable for it. He had not interest to expend Catawaban treasure or citizens in a brush fire war, but he did care to prevent genocide. He’d ordered the aircraft carrier CNS Raul Enchante and her battle group to set sail for Xiscapia on the off-chance humanitarian or military aid was to be provided.. They were still four days from Xiscapia’s coast, but two days from strike range.

Now, Tanaara was showing interest, close, nigh-undivided attention, which usually meant the monarch of Tanaara was going get out the kettle and the bell act like the Salvation Army by sending a salvation army. Errant had as much love for red kettles and hand bells as Rob and also had his own tax deductible donations to give. It’d take more than a week for his gift flotilla of the Cold War era naval ships he’d fielded off of Saint Fabian to reach Xiscapia, but he didn’t dare send them without something heavier and fully crewed to cover them. His old ‘Saint Fabian Navy’ was made of two Ticonderoga-class AEGIS guided missile cruisers, four Arliegh Burke-class AEGIS guided missile destroyers, one Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate, and fifteen Cyclone-class patrol boats.

Errant looked over at his aunt. "Send a return message to Rob. Tell him that I'm going to send Rea as my representative to Xiscapia." Errant almost hesitated at sending his sister into a warzone. She'd almost ended up in a Fabian bunker where the Fabians had murdered several international diplomats. However, she was the senior diplomat for Catawaba ,and she was already in Tanaara so the logistics were simple as well. "Also tell'im that the Enchante is in range for a flight of Firebirds to rendezvous with his HST and escort him. Per his request, the flight will be lead by General Quigley."

His cousin, General Matthew Quigley, was one of his nation's most experienced combat pilots, a general jack of all trades, and all around trouble maker. He did, however, excel at getting himself and others out of the trouble he caused and the trouble inflicted upon him. He glanced to his aide, William Churchill. "Will, send a dispatch to the Enchante, giving them heads up on the sortie. Include for General Quigley that he will be acting as military liason and consultant while the diplomatic party is groundside."

Churchill raised an eyebrow. While Quigley had many talents, it was generally agreed that keeping him behind the stick of a fighter was the safest place possible. His perchant for drawing enemy attention and fire made putting him on the edge of a battle and isolated kept Mister Murphy from putting splash damage down on too many people around Quigley.

Errant nodded. "I know, Willl, but someone's gotten Rob's ear and made him think that good general is region's little Golden Boy." Probably that reporter tryin' to be Lois Lane to his Clark Kent. Ever since she ran that video of him railing at the tsunami coming towards the Greyrock Airfield in Argonia...too bad the audio was so patchy because of the Wave's roar...

Errant shook his head. "Lolimba, see if you can go and convince Hayden to break away from his son's Little League games and come out of his diplomatic retirement. We might need an experienced envoy to send to Greal."

Lolimba nodded and got up from her seat along the wall of the Ardent's Command Information Center. Her aide, bodyguard, and nephew, also Errant's cousin, Goran nodded farewell to Errant followed her out.

Jessica Lepur, his Cancellaria, stood by waiting with pen and paper to take down a letter she knew he was going to send. She'd used to be his aide and secretary when he'd promoted her. The position of Cancellaria was that of Chief of Staff and Chief Counselor. Jessica made sure Errant's government ran smoothly. A deeply perceptive and calculating woman, she was Errant's watch dog, making sure that his wishes were being carried out and that no part of his government was wandering from its task. Even with all new her resposibilities, she still...he didn't know if the word should be 'enjoy'...but she went out of her way to perform her old position as personal secretary when she had time.

Her close, integral nature to the Miraade made some wonder if she was his mistress, his puppet master, or his spymaster. Errant's engagement to the gorgeous Queen Mother of Tanaara mostly put to rest the mistress rumors but the others persisted still. Errant smiled. "Okay, Jess, addressed to Prince Silvertooth, get the location from SubRosa or the TMI, Most Secret for the Eyes of the Prince, you know the encryption..." Jessica nodded, she knew how to start a message. Errant cleared his throat and began.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/jedierrant/Errantemblem.jpg

The Miraadery of Catawaba
An Encrypted Communication from Errant Mira'ad, the Alpha Miraade of Catawaba
Most Secret for the Eyes of Prince Silvertooth, Acting Monarch Kitsune Empire of Xiscapia, Only
Regarding Military and Diplomatic Assistance

Prince Silvertooth,

Your dire situation has come to my attention through the efforts and focus of the Domination of Tanaara. I agree with sentiments expressed by the Archon and am willing to lend aid and assistance of a military nature. I currently have Carrier Battle Group sailing for your shores with a potential gift squadron to flow in its wake.

I will also be sending a respresentative and an escort with the Archon to meet with your government and discuss how best we might assist your nation. That representative will be my sister Rea Vipe, ambassador to the Domination of Tanaara and the Greater Fatal Terrain Region.


From the heart,


Errant Mira'ad
Alpha Miraade of Catawaba
Command and Chief of Catawaban Military Forces

Third Fleet was always out and about. That was the nature of the that fleet's mission, and when the Greali had first attacked Xiscapia and Rob's eyes - both his personal one and those of Tanaara in orbit - had turned that way, Third Fleet had decided, at the command of Admiral Foxbridge to swan towards the embattled nation.

The good Admiral knew that the Archon hated genocide, particularly that of those termed 'furries" - not only were some his best friends non human, his wife, Aeris the Empress of Tarlachia, was Elvin. Non humans made up a substancial percentage of Tanaara's Citizens and were a lively part of Tanaara's culture and heritage.

He nodded as his aide handed him a decypered communication and unfilded it. Once he'd read it over he grinned and looked up at his aide "Ah just like old times. Contact Admiral Starkey, give him my compliments, and tell him this is not to be a repeat of St. Fabian. I'm not authorized to do anything but defend myself or non combatants, but to observe, and thats Only Observe, untill I hear otherwise."

At St. Fabian the Tanaaran fleet and the Catawaban fleets had sat in international waters, doing nothihng more aggressive than sailing back and forth. And the raider nation of Red Tide II had fired on them with no provocation. They'd shed blood- and done so in return - and once again they were going into harms way without direct combat intent. They would remain in international waters, ready to render humanitarian relief and assisstance. And to guard the hosiptal ships and vessels carrying materiels to Xiscapia.

"We're also to watch for the arrival of the Operation Mercy 1 taskforce, escorting the Hospital Ships Golightly, Amanda, Graceland and Nightingale, and the relief transports Farquart, Feldhelm, Flinders, and twenty Velceev's "

The Very Large Container Vessels would be trailing behind the others, but that was the best they could expect. The huge freighters just couldn't make the knots that the others could turn, However they would have their own minitask force of protective ships and an unseen wolf pack of subs. They would be carrying full loads of relief and medical supplies.

The Taskforce titled Mercy 1 had left port that morning steaming for Xiscapia at flank speed. At at the request of the Archon, The Militarized Zone, a mercinary army long ago created to partake in the Fatal Terrain Regions Dark War, was mobilizing. They might, if a contract could be worked out, be going to Xiscapia. Mercinaries could go places nations could, for one reason or another, could not. But those details still needed to be worked out.

Mau Island

Captain Winders stealthily moved along the boulders as the gun shooting started. He didn't fire back. He knew that it would be impossible to hit the enemy while he was covered by jungle unless he happened to be right outside the jungle. Sergeant Williams was wounded in the leg, but he would be fine. The rest of the enemy shots didn't seem to have any effect. Team C had secured the boulders. Other teams were quickly moving into their designated zones. After that, they were to clear of any enemy ahead of the main invasion, made by three marine battalions, which were assembling for the invasion. Forty Eurofighters were now to fly over the island, the bombing anywhere that habored enemy. It took only a few shots for the special ops to realize that they were dealing with...civilians.

Then the invasion came, Greali LCUs begin leaving and landing the first companies of Greali marines, who were curious to see what laid ahead in those jungles. IFVs would soon be going deeper into the island to see what laid ahead.

Meanwhile, the Xiscapian survivors of the Oath would run into a Special Operations team that was on the coast, but both sides had no idea they were near each other. A soldier named Joesph noticed the approaching inflatable rafts, he didn't know whether to shoot them until they landed, so he wanred he nearest comrades. The entire team was outnumbered two to one by the Xiscapis survivors, but the Greali had firepower and the Xiscapians only had a pistols and knives.

Near Kaji

The F-44 Interceptors however pulled away along with the Eurofighters. The F-44s had nearly lost half their number that day. The Eurofighters resumed patrolling on the outer edges of the fleet and anti-submarine helicopter also resumed patrolling. The Greali armada fired a volley of three hundred cruise missiles at military targets at Xoung. The fleet was replenished by a supply fleet that had traveled from Grunt.

Naval Armada

The radar still picked up the three kinetic weapons coming at unbelievable speed. LY4032 “Rampart” missiles, armed with 2 MT nuclear warhead were no hurling toward the incoming kinetic missiles. Two of the enemy missiles exploded into a huge flash in the sky, the third however kept on going until it obliterated one of the destroyer targets, killing most of the crew, the few dozen survivors were picked up by nearby destroyers. The Greali naval fleet would fight on.

Placeholder for post.

Aboard CNS Raul Enchante, flagship of Carrier Battle Group One
Damnablely Far from Xiscapia

Fleet Admiral Josiah Starkey chuckled as he read Admiral Foxbridge's missive. "Old times? I damn well hope not, but at least I'm packing more than rubber band to grenade toss." He shook his head and closed window containing Foxbridge's message. He turned and handed the fancible tablet reader to his yeoman.

His 'New Navy' was a massive change from not a year ago. Not just electronic messages and personal computering devices, at Saint Fabian, he'd fielded five Cold War era ships...five-sevenths of his entire capital ship force and all of those ships were glorified destroyers. He'd been outnumbered by Tanaara's own corvette screen and most likely out gunned as well. His crews had shown themselves in battle by ripple firing their entire missile compliment and then closing with Tanaaran ships to use defense guns against an incoming missile barrage. He'd had one of his ships mauled, but the Tanaarans had gotten much worse.

This time, however, he was fielding 'old' Tanaaran equipment, which was laughable since Tanaara was only ridding itself of material because it was getting more advanced weapons. It could afford to give away its current equipment to allies that would secure its flanks. No, nothing about his current fleet was 'old.'

He turned in his command chair, which was leagues more comfortable than the one that he'd endured Saint Fabian in, to look out the forward viewport on the bridge of the Catawaban Navy's flagship, the aircraft carrier CNS Raul Enchante (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/jedierrant/Enchante.png). Named for the father of the Catawaban nation and martyr during the Rebellion, it was the 'Big Stick' the Miraade referred to when he quoted an African Proverb by way of Theodore Roosevelt. With six squadrons of strike aircraft and a handful more of support aircraft and helicopters, the Enchante was imposing.

Along with his carrier, he had two Intrepid-class (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/jedierrant/Intrepid.gif) battlecruisers, Fealty and Warspite, two Renown-class (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/jedierrant/Renown.png) missile cruisers, Impregnable and Hotspur, two Mythosaur-class (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/jedierrant/Mythosaur.png) frigates, Kelpie and Chimera, two Alacrity-class (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/jedierrant/Alacrity.png) patrol frigates, Rover and Daring, and three Jacques Jocard-class directed energy air defense destroyers, Jacques Jocard, Sullivan Ord'lo, and Daphne Simon. It was still up in the air if he'd get any of Catawaba's six subs, and the Miraade was still debating if he wanted to send that gift flotilla.

Starkey smirked. To have the old Intrepid along side...well, it's hull. The name "Intrepid" now belonged to a battlecruiser. The old Type-I guided missile destroyer hull, known for now as Indigo-01, still had a lot of meaning to Starkey. He'd defected from Togovia in that ship, seizing it from its Loyalist captain in a mutiny. He'd defeated the remaining Togovian naval presence in it, helping to sink the battleship Prince Yancy. He'd miss it if they gave it away...probably to be sunk abroad.

But the more he looked at the feeds coming to his attention, he couldn't deny they were going to a good cause. He decided he needed some personal assets over Xiscapia. He would request clearance to launch some UAVs over Xiscapia to give him a private Catawaban eye on the situation. Well, right after he replied to Foxbridge.

~~~~~

To: Admiral Foxbridge, Tanaaran Third Fleet commanding
From: Fleet Admiral Starkey, Catawaban Carrier Battle Group One, commanding
Re: Compliments

Foxbridge,

My orders are very much the same. Until other word has been given by my superior, I am to wait. I have authorization to act in my own defense or that of non-belligerents. I have no intent nor need to steam my vessels between two hostile powers like I did off Saint Fabian.

From the heart to the sea,

Josiah

PS. Dammitall, man! When are you going to have dinner with Nellie and me?

The Archon had waited a day, twenty four hours, to give Third Fleet, the Mercy 1 Taskforce, and the Catawaban fleet more steaming time. Then he'd dropped by the Catawaban Embassy, pricking up the Catawaban Ambassadress, Rea Vipe himself, and driven to the military base the outskirts of Montguard at his usual breakneck speeds. But all Tanaarans loved fast cars and he was a talented race driver in his own right.

The armed and armored HST was waiting as the agile and unbelievably lethal Butterfly’s and Firedarts lifted off. They would be the HST's protective escort - but the six mach four and a half capable, super cruise stealth fighter interceptors and their C.S. Wingmen - it was the fact that the HST would come out of nearly low earth orbit from the landward side of Xiscapia, far from the ocean based naval flotillas of Greal. Though they would hand off escort duties to a escorts launching from the Catawaban fleet. They’d land on the aircraft carrier CNS Raul Enchante and refuel while General Quigley’s fine fliers handled the landing coverage.

The trip was not long, not when one flew a HST – a passenger version carefully carrying delicate civilians could cover Heathrow to Hong Kong in three hours, a journey which would take a conventional jet nearly thirteen hours. Up to the midnight blue of near- space, then down, fast and hard. A bit rough on their passengers maybe, but they were far moiré concerned with getting them their safely than playing airliner. Their escort ranged near and wide vigilant for any sign of enemy action as the copilot of the HST made the electronic handshake with the flight from the Enchante and the Xiscapian air controllers over secure channels.

“Rea, I can’t in any sort of conscience pull any of our modern stuff out of Fatal Terrain right now, the Fall has left too much to do. And in all honesty I refuse to let the Togovian Remnant have any greater foot hold than they already do.” He held up a hand to forestall any response “I know it is not Errant’s, Catawaba’s fault. You all are holding them off admirably in the Skulleries, but that they are there at all is making some” He sighed “No a Lot of people antsy.”

“So I’m going to have to do things more than a bit sneaky. I’m going to offer Xiscapia the lease of well, what ever they will accept, at very interesting prices. I’d like to see Greal go down in so many pieces that they can’t put themselves back together again. But” Rob let his voice trail off as he looked at the young woman. She was much like his beloved wife, spirited, intelligent and downright scary at times. He wasn’t playing politically coy with her, he just had no idea how the play was going to go down. He wasn’t sure what the Xiscapians would react to his offer, or accept. National pride could be a strange and often unreasonable thing.

“So be ready for anything. Catawaba is your responsibility, but I want you to know that as long as Tanaara exists, Catawaba will never be left short.”

Landing would be in ten minutes.

Also far but getting closer

Third Fleet steamed steadily toward Xiscapia, growing ever closer to Catawaban Carrier Battle Group One and his old friend Josiah Starkey.

Rea smiled. Her red hair bobbed inwards, setting off her emerald eyes which glowed with her smile. She was comfortably seated in the wide leather seats the Archon's HST provided. She had her legs crossed at the ankle. "Rob," she said warmly. She was personable but not entirely familiar. She called him Rob because he'd asked to be called that, but she seemed to be more used to official titles and dignity. She had that aire about her. She had, after all, been some distant branch from the seat of Togovian power and whatever grace and presence should have been resided in those TogOverlords had obviously gone to her instead. Perhaps it might have done Togovia good to have her as TogOverlady, perhaps it might not be a glass bowl had she been so.

"Rob, I will not say that Catawaba is not grateful for the assistance, patience, and generosity of the Domination. However, we can, and perhaps do need to, stand on our own. The gifts you and your mother have given thus far have allowed us to act to our North and disrupt whatever plans Yancy might have had." The Togovians had been arming and training the pirate warlords in SKullaria. A primarliy Catawaban invasion had met those Togovian trained forces and in some cases Togovian observer units head on. There was still some indication that Togovians might be still arming, training, or participating in the remaining insurgency in SKullaria.

"But we need to develop our own capabilities, Rob. Errant has made it a high priority to become self-sufficient in matters of national security. I know you have noticed, but we no longer request fast attack vessels from you. Jaro Small Boat Works had taken over the production of our Thunderchilde-class and with government funds and some investment from the Mira'ad and Jaro allits is expanding to enable it to build Swiftsure-class corvettes. And we are nearing the final stages of building to expand the old naval yard at Graceland to build larger hull classes."

She gave another assured smile. "Mercy gave Errant a single condition to the momentous gift he recieved, that he pay it forward without strings. We intend to do that if Prince Silvertooth will accept with our 'Fabian Fleet' and by gaining our military indepedence and self-suffiency, we can allow you to spread your generosity to others."

The Xharnian submarines moved in a tight formation under the seas that they had been traveling. The sub force had traveled roughly five weeks to the islands of Xiscapia. The Totalitarian Military State of Xharn’s submarine doctrine usually forced the attack and ballistic submarines into independent units that would patrol in random locations or oceans to attack an enemy force or land location and then perform a quick and precise retreat to safer waters. The Xharnian naval command however felt that since the Xiscapians needed these supplies badly considering the power they were up agaisnt so the sub force had to move together in a wolf pack formation under the waves..


The sub force moved in silence never surfacing or using massive amounts of sonar to avoid detection from other powers and to keep the knowledge of Xharnian involvement in this conflict to a minimum. The Captains of the sub force were given implicit instructions to avoid a direct route to Xiscapia forcing them on a four week long zigzag course across the whole ocean leaving the last week to finally reach the closest of the Xiscapian islands.


The Xharnian military did not want the Greali forces to know about the situation and decided to wait till night fall before heading to Kaji Island. The sub force moved as quietly as possible to avoid detection by the Greali fleet avoiding using their sonar and kept the periscope down. It would be difficult to detect the Xharnian vessels as the sub force went on silent running towards their drop off point in Kaji….

Rio Casa
Hospital

"Yes." Marcus replied, nodding. "I will also require a room for secure communications." Such a thing would be needed to order to mobilize and deploy, without Greal finding out. "I'm ready to leave when you are."

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

XGAHQ


Julia sat quietly and attentively, listening to the general as he laid bare the strengths and weaknesses of the Xiscapian military. When it was all put in context, they certainly weren't as bad as Julia had originally thought. Their equipment was up-to-date, their training was adequate, and their commanders were competent. If this Master General Dom was, in fact, a true representation of the Xiscapian command structure, it was a wonder why the Angenterians were even needed at all. Well, there was still the problem of the overwhelming enemy force, and the problem with no weapons, and the problem of inadequate numbers...

"I see..." Julia finally replied, setting down the coffee, a grim look on her face. "My people will be delivering additional weapons and ammunition, as well as other items such as food, medical supplies, and the like as soon as the order gets put through. We will also be bringing the necessary personnel to instruct your people in the use of such items.

Teach my officers and men how to overcome great odds and masses of enemy soldiers. Instruct them in the construction of fortifications and the building of traps. And most of all, never let them forget who it is they are fighting, and what he has done to us and our people.

Julia nodded. It wasn't going to be easy, that was for sure. They would have to do what they could quickly. The Greali troops were already beginning to disembark their first waves of assault troops.

"Don't worry, sir. Your troops will be well-motivated, defensive experts when we're through with them." Matius chimed in, speaking for the first time in a while. As ex-stormtroopers, Julia and Matius were experts in special operations, and unrivaled in the construction and arming of traps.

The escort duties had been handed off to General Quiggley's flight and the rest of the distance to the Rio Casa Landing site had been uneventful. Once half the Catawaban make their own perfect landings.

Following the towers instructions the fighter planes headed off to their designated greeters, just as the much larger HyperSonic Transport was directed to the offical welcoming party sent by Prince Silvertooth. A portable stairs was rolled up and secured and one of the Archon's body guards took a look out the door after it had swung open. Then he and his partner were trotting quickly down carefully checking that there was no dangerous ice build up on the stairs. Two more took up posts at the top of the stairway, their eyes hidden behind their dark glasses. Their eyes were never still as they watched for any possible threat.

In the cabin behind them aides were handing Rea and the Archon their coats against the cold.

"Have you gotten used to Tanaaran winters yet?" Rob asked Rea. Catawaba was practically on the equator and never saw cold much less snow. Though since the Fall of Imitora the regions climate had been disrubted and a minor 'nuclear winter' had enveloped the region. Once they were ready he offered her his arm and they proceeded from the plane.

Rea slipped on her jacket. "I think acclimated to the winter, even our current one, much faster than the rest of the embassy staff." She took the Archon's arm with a smile as he lead them out of the plane. "Boarding school in Geneva, a few winter trips to Togovia when I was little." That being nearly fifteen years ago, to visit Togovia nowadays took a hazard suit and a geiger counter. "The rest of delegation complains behind closed doors but won't let it be known, especially to their new neighbors in Montguard. As far as they'd like to show, they're all stoics.'

Two of Rea's Miraaderic Guards, since she was Beta Miraade she rated a detail at all times, had moved out in front of the VIPs but after the Archon's detail. Lieutenant Savannah Leigh Crispin went down and took a spot beside one of the Archon's men at the foot of the stairs. One of her Guards was on the otherside, scanning the flightline with her. Both of them had variations of the Modular Offensive Rifle that all the Catawaban military carried.

Three more Guards trailed the Archon and the Beta Miraade, or the Betty Maid as they quiped for easier saying. All three of the close Guards had variants of the MOR as well, and their leader, who lead Rea's personal protection fireteam, Corporal Wiggins was last down the stairs of the group, using the height for a moment to survey all around.

He'd been known as a goof as a private, a near disgrace to the Alpha Miraade's protective detail. He was different man however after a year in and out of the Skull Kingdom. A rather average and goofy face had been weathered and transformed by a cresent knife scar near his left eye. He'd served honorably and distinguishedly, earning his place in the Beta Miraade's detail. He was in fact on the short track to quad sergeant, but the Guard wanted him to actually have real, organized experience leading a fireteam in relative peace to prove himself before he moved up. He'd lead a fireteam and then a squad because of attrition during the nastier parts of the conflict.

The Lt. was here because there needed to be officer authority when they were out of country, but Savannah Leigh knew she could rely and probably would rely on Wiggins's experience and instincts.

Across the flight line, the four Catawaban Firebirds taxied to a stop where the line marshals had directed them to stop. Three of the pilots stayed behind to direct the Xiscapian on how to administer and care for their steed...I mean aircraft. The commander of the flight, a dashing man with short brown hair, left the fighter pilots after a few words about their performance, all good words and encouragements.

General Matthew Quigley, as his name tapes proclaimed him crossed the flight line back towards the Archon's HST.

Mainland Xiscapia, city of Lune, South Mat troi Airbase...

The sixty Alversian Eurofighters were an impressive sight to the kitsune XAF personnel at South M?t tr?i Airbase, many of the soldiers stopping to watch as the planes landed squadron by squadron, piloted by humans landing on their soil that weren't hostile, amazingly. The base was a major one, holding two hundred F-15 fighters, twenty five Backfire bomber jets and ten B-63 bombers and thousands of Xiscapian soldiers, all in the midst of preparing for a potential strike on the enemy armada. Dusk was just starting to fall here as a silver furred, raven haired, orange eyed kitsune whose dark blue and black uniform's insignia indicated he was a Wing Commander approached John Toner, bowing. "Captain," his voice held that slight, untraceable accent, "we are all very glad you could come here. I am Wing Commander Grimske, and I am to be your Liaison Officer for the duration of your stay here, unless of course we lose the war and are all killed by the Greali," He finished with candor. He did not appear to be sweating, though the temperature was quite warm, although with these strange beings who could tell how they reacted to heat or cold? "May I inquire as to your name, sir?"

Mau Island...

The Greali bombers would encounter no military installations, no soldiers, no vehicles of any kind except a few fishing boats, rafts and motorboats tied at docks on the northern part of the island in a coastal village. Inland, near the foot of one of the many mountain peaks which led up to a towering spire, lay the ruins of the village that had been bombarded by cruise missiles, with a few survivors picking over the rubble, looking for their valuables and dead friends and families. As the aircraft passed overhead the natives looked up, minute expressions colored with fear, sorrow and anger, scattering into the jungle and caves. The south, east and most of the north parts of the island were anywhere from only a few feet to yards of beach, which quickly went uphill into jungle. The forest gave way to the mountains, at first rocky hills which transformed to cold, frosted peaks obscured by mist. The exception was the western portion of the island, which was made up of high cliffs buffeted by surf which led directly into the mountain range.

Closer to the shore the IFVs would find that, while they were easily able to bull though the jungle, the rest of the island was made inaccessible to them due to the steep, jagged hills. The paths that cut though to the interior were rough, obviously not made with modern equipment, and only wide enough to admit two men walking abreast, or perhaps an ox cart or small buggy. To make matters worse the roads were neither straight nor level, twisting frequently around boulders and steadily rising to an angle which would require any person attempting to scale it to hike, rather than walk. Fog cut naked eye visibility to only twenty feet, the already cool temperature dropping by a few degrees, soft sand and grass terminating to wet mud and hard stone. The sniper which had made the original attack appeared to have all but vanished, a few tracks in the mud and a flesh wound on the leg of one of the soldiers the only indication he had ever been there. Mau had never been particularly well-mapped, possessing no Imperial presence of any kind, so it was nearly an autonomous entity, only it's kitsune population and relative proximity to the other islands deeding it to Xiscapia. And if the surface was unexplored, the caverns, catacombs and caves cut into and under the mountains were a mystery wrapped in an enigma.
The Greali were going in all but blind.

As the sun began to sink below the horizon the three boats containing the sole remainder of the crew of the Lada class submarine Oath washed up on shore, the kitsune and their few human counterparts staggering onto land for the first time in many hours. The froth and spray drenched the already soaked submariners, and they shivered as they trudged up to the jungle, wholly unaware of the presence of the Greali troops. Tanj's fur was plastered to the skin beneath and the wetness seemed to have made him somehow smaller, as it did with all his kin. Turning wearily to his copatriots he spoke softly despite the shriek of the wind and crash of the waves. "We need to locate a settlement, see if we can get warm and dry, as our first order of business. After that we'll do everything we can to help these people." Tallied between the sixteen of them, they procured one katana, eleven combat knifes, seven pistols with four clips of ammunition, a few rations, some survival kits which included water purification tablets and first aide kits, a short length of rope, a flare gun with two flares, 32.49 USD in crumpled bills and spare change and a box of cigarettes without accompanying matches or a lighter.

Xuong...

The missile strikes continued to hammer the military base at Xuong as trucks, Swimgragt Amphibious Jeeps, Síeren Tank Destroyers, VAB APCs and HIMARS MLRS vehicles scrambled into positions for the impending assault. On the Dr’klow class Frigate XIW Infinitas more strikes were suffered, resulting in the destruction of the damaged ASW helicopter, forcing the crew to dump the flaming helo over the side into the water, leaving the ship with only one aircraft. The damaged engine had been repaired since the last strike, and though one of the Phalanx guns was still inoperable, the Infinitas began to move under her own power out of the harbor to the waters around the island, where she would not be at risk from continuing strikes, but still able to defend herself from further attack. Several more buildings in the base were razed, resulting in the deaths of a dozen more soldiers and the wounding of another twenty, but most of the vehicles and equipment had since dispersed from the area and were not hit by the missiles. At the more distant airbase the surviving Harriers and all the bombers were being prepared for another sortie while B-63 bombers were being loaded with munitions and Eiko Light Attack Helicopters headed for the shore where the ground invasion was expected to occur.

It was suspected the enemy would commence their assault from the west because their fleet was in the best position to launch landing craft and transport helicopters straight to the front, rather than attempting to travel overland or between Xuong and Kaji and risk being sunk or shot down by the combined SAM umbrellas, coastal batteries, surface ships or attack aircraft. The beaches had been well fortified: MG nests piled with sandbags or inside pillboxes had been set up every few yards between the large condos and hotels which were being used as bunkers by XGA troops, with armour, SAMs, mortars, artillery and aircraft in support. The waters all the way around the island and the beach itself had been heavily mined, and on the golden sands sat thick lengths of barbed wire which sometimes reached up to three feet in height, the infamous "X" shaped tank traps which frequently had mines attached to them, as well as the square-pyramidal version, which were designed to impede any wheeled, tracked or treaded vehicle which might attempt to cross over them. In addition various sections of beach appeared to be more sparsely laid with traps and obstacles, but these hid pit traps which would collapse upon a certain amount of pressure to throw any unfortunate soldiers who fell into them to be impaled on rows of spikes. Spotlights glared in the twilight as the palm trees swayed under the sights of dozens of weapons, the Alfa class Attack Submarines Shadow Hunter and Omnipresent prowling silently beneath the waves.
The Xiscapians were ready for the Greali.

Xuong, location undisclosed...

Operation Double Edge was to be, perhaps, the most ambitious operation of the war, and certainly one of the most dangerous. The daring plan relied on three things: Stealth, speed, and confidence. Using Shadow Ops commandos on Zodiac boats and a transport plane, Marine forgmen on mini subs underwater chariots and from the Lada class Stealth Submarine XIW Honor, the plan was to capture no less than five enemy warships under the cover of darkness. Their targets were two separate 560 foot Donnerschlag Class DDGs with compliments of three hundred each, a surfaced 581 foot Chamberlain Class Submarine with a crew of 93, a 738 feet long Battleaxe Class Cruiser with 460 souls aboard, and a 436 foot Chancellor class CVBN which accommodated 2,856 crewmen. One team of ten would deploy to the submarine, two to both Destroyers and four to the Cruiser and Carrier, respectively. Once on board the communications would be immediately neutralized, followed by the flight decks on the four surface ships and the bridges. Taking control, the teams would then guide the ships to friendly waters where they could be commended by XIN sailors.

Now the Honor, towing two X-craft mini subs and two X100-T chariots and a dozen frogmen aboard, set out towards the enemy, the stealth submarine moving agonizingly slowly to avoid detection. Meanwhile two Zodiac RHIB were speeding from Xoung to infiltrate the Grealic armada, planning to slip between the surface ships so they could offload their teams onto the appropriate craft. Finally a lone C-43 Supercargo, stocked with eighty Shadow Ops (http://www.manjikai.com/old/graph/mukade.jpg) soldiers droned towards the fleet. Parachuting directly into enemy territory would have been suicide, so they had rigged up something a little extra which would help them insert unobserved.
Operation Double Edge was underway.

XAFHQ, Xiscapian Satellite Command, Orbital Arms branch...

"Sir? We have registered the sinking of one Destroyer. The others are breaking off, but they appear to have intercepted and destroyed our other two rods. Shall we order another strike?"
The Commander considered for a second. "No," he said finally. "We do not have many to waste when only one in three will be able to penetrate their defenses. We will watch, and wait, until such a time comes that any worthy target moves outside of the protective range of any of their missile ships."
The prime targets were, of course, the Carriers, shortly followed by the three main missile ships and the Dreadnoughts. It was doubtful any of the Carriers would ever move outside the protection of a missile ship now, but perhaps at some point they could draw out a Dreadnought to be obliterated.

Rio Casa, Imperial Palace, Imperial Chambers...

The drive from the General hospital to the Palace was short and conducted in the same manner as before. The Palace itself was more of a fortress, a massive castle with four subtowers, known as the Lesser Towers and four taller spires, known as the Greater Towers, all made of gray stone topped with black, framed against an iron sky. Guards stared out over the battlements like the warriors of old on guard for an approaching foe, and closer to the ground the vehicles passed though half a dozen checkpoints from a winding road to the front gates before even entering the Grounds. The courtyard was clear of snow to expose some soft, short grass and bare, leafless trees, beautiful in their own way. Here, outside the city on a small hill with the forest in the distance the cold was more greatly felt, aided by the bitter wind that slashed like a frigid sword though even thick clothing.

The Emperor and his sister, guards and attendants were shown inside down the brightly lit halls to their own lavish quarters. "This bellcord," instructed Silvertooth, prodding a soft length of cloth which extended from the ceiling of every room, "will call a servant to you. He or she will attend to your every need as you wish, and will be your guides here should you ever feel the need to go wandering. Naturally each room comes equipped with its own entertainment center, and the second floor holds a rather large library...my father does love to read. We also have an indoor pool, a bathhouse, a gym and a media room, not to mention the Palace kitchens where I'm sure the Head Chef will be happy to accommodate you with foodstuffs, he makes an excellent Black Tie Moose Cake. Emperor," he nodded to Marcus, "if you will come with me?"

The halls of the Palace seemed deserted except for the occasional Black Guard standing a silent vigil before some doorway or another. Indeed, this was a source of great pride for the Palace servants, that they could not be seen nor heard until the time came that they would be needed. The young Prince led the Angenterian ruler though what he came to realize was the personal quarters of the Emperor, and as he saw now, the Empress. She (http://xianjaguar.artspots.com/image/5286/skye) was stunningly beautiful, even by human standards, sitting in an armchair near a fireplace across the room from a large bed, clothed in deep blue robes, a large tome spread out on her lap. Upon their approach the kitsune looked up, eyes alighting immediately on Marcus. "Your Majesty," she bowed, her voice was soft and lilting, but if one gazed into those alien eyes for long enough they would find great strength there. "We are honored by your presence. Allow me to offer you your first welcome to the Imperial Palace, and my condolences for the disgusting actions which occurred at what should have been a happy occasion."

After Marcus responded Silvertooth looked to his mother. "I was just showing His Majesty to our private communications room."
"Ah." She seemed sad, a wistful smile crossing her lips. "Such is conflict. Such is war." She bowed slightly again. "I pray your endeavours are successful, Your Highness."
Silvertooth led Marcus though a small sidedoor to a desk where a computer terminal, a phone, a cell phone, and, oddly enough, a telegraph sat, the Xiscapian bidding him to sit in a plush, high-backed chair. "Any messages you send from here are automatically encrypted heavily and sent on a covert frequency. I ask that you spend no more time in here than is absolutely necessary: The Black Guard are a suspicious bunch, and I must inform you you will be monitored by Palace Security. I have another matter to attend to, and if you finish and I have not returned the Empress will call a servant to lead you back to your quarters. I shall leave you to it." He bowed and exited without a sound, tread not heard on the carpeted floor.

Rio Casa, Imperial Palace, Runway...

The delegates were met by a contingent of Xiscapian Black Guards (http://web.nafcs.k12.in.us/users/galena/Classrooms/Fifth/student51_Smith_Web/TANNER/Tannerpix/Shadow%20trooper%20II.jpeg), all standing motionless and whist in the cold, clear air as aircraft crews scurried across the landing strip trailing equipment. Behind the Guards stood Silvertooth Rose in the flesh, apparently calm, though the fast pace of the fog rising from his nostrils betrayed his nerves. For the first time visitors from other countries, humans from distant and powerful nations, were coming here, in the middle of a war, while his father laid immobile in a hospital bed and the burden of attending to the affairs of running an Empire rested on his shoulders until the recovery of the true Emperor. His mother, the Empress, was a great help and skilled enough to rule, but her husband had decreed that his son would have the power, and despite the responsibility Silvertooth Rose was immeasurably proud that to him had been given the mantle, if only temporarily.

A low bow to the group. "Archon, General," he faltered for a moment at Rea, "Madame, welcome to the Imperial Palace, Rio Casa, and the general climate of Xiscapia. Shall we move indoors?"

XGAHQ...

"Don't worry, sir. Your troops will be well-motivated, defensive experts when we're through with them."

"Then you may proceed as you wish." The Master General clasped his hands before him, the neverending stare on Julia. "The garrison here at the capitol consists of only our most elite fighters and crack troops: There would be little you could teach them, and if the Greali make it from Tenfour to here in any force than all is lost, anyhow. Your time and effort would be better spent at Tenfour itself, for when the islands fall," he said when, not if, "Tenfour will be the next battleground. We cannot lose our only mainland port, and all our troops there know this and will fight to the last, but they could benefit greatly from your experience and wisdom."

Kaji, Secret Meeting Point...

Waiting for the Xharnians were three Imperial Intelligence Department agents with a couple dozen workers further back. Shadowy and wrapped in secrecy, the IID were the spies and assassins of the Kitsune Empire, and they would be the ones handling the transaction of the weapons. The kitsune stood now on the beach in their suits, looking quite out of place with the three ten-ton trucks and comrades disguised as dockhands behind them in the lot, but all the enemy satellites had been shot down and any Greali reconnaissance aircraft in the area would be making a suicide run, what with the enormous number of SAMs and interceptors waiting patiently for a raid. The Xiscapians did not entirely trust the Xharnians, and every person there was armed in case this was some kind of trick or trap. Still, they were still and silent, knowing the submarines could be many miles away or almost right in front of them: It was impossible to tell on the moonless night without lights when the water was as black as space.

"May I inquire as to your name, sir?"

"Toner," The Alversian snapped to a firm salute before nodding in acknowledgement of the bow, "Captain John Toner, Commanding Officer of the Alversian 133rd Fighter Squa..." He stopped and smiled at this strange creature, "I mean, Commanding Officer of the Black Muambas and overall Commander of the Black Panther Air Wing." He looked about at his new surroundings, taking in every little detail he could see.

His eyes fell upon the long lines of F-16 Fighters and sighed, they were useful yes and, in the hands of a good pilot, they could be formidable, but, at the end of the day, he would have preferred to fly his own R.430, though he was interested in seeing how these...walking....talking foxes flew in combat. They were still here, so he supposed they had to be good in fighting.

His men were getting out of their cockpits, anxious about leaving these advanced, expensive Fighters in the hands of these Beings. It was nothing personel against them, they just hated the idea of having 'Outsiders' touching their precious aircraft. These R.430's where modified to the point of perfection, the Pilots were proud to fly them and the veterans were looking forward to showing the Greali whatr they could do in the air. For the moment though, they were enjoying the weather and chatting to their opposite numbers.

Toner looked at the Individual, this Wing Commander.

"We'll be here to stop the Slaughter Sir," He laughed, "Then looked up at the sky, "How are things going at the moment, with regards to the air?" he asked curiously,then a piece of business came to mind,
"And our crates need painting as well Sir, We've brought missiles over with us on the fighters but we'll need more. Do you have 20mm shells here?"

General Quigley (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v35/jedierrant/ErrantIntense.jpg)inclined his head to the Prince. His eyes hidden behind thick, dark aviator sunglasses. He glanced around the flight line to see what air assets the Xiscapians kept close to their palace. He didn't have time to get more than a rough count and the basic models about him before his attention was drawn by a more worrying factor to the situation. He mumbled an apology to the Prince and stepped back and out of line.

A woman (http://www.atddm.com/vic3.jpg), a reporter by her carried recording equipment, with full, beautiful brown hair, alighted atop the stairs of Tanaaran HST. She surveyed the airstrip like Corporal Wiggins had, but with an extra meaning behind her actions. She brought a camera up, getting a sight picture in her mind. She stopped on the seemingly average man in the flightsuit crossing the tarmac towards her.

Quigley saw her lower the camera. He was scowling, but inside that scowl's irritation warred with fear and joy. He wanted to see her, loved seeing her sillhouetted majesticly on high. But he was afraid she was here of all places with him. That was never good and that fear filtered in with his irritation of being surprised. "Victoria, what tha hey-el are you doin' here?"

Ambassadress Rea Vipe smiled, slightly amused but also curious as to why the Prince stumbled upon greeting her. She curtsied to the Prince. "Thank you for coming out to greet us personally, your Highness. I willl take the responsibility for the trite phrase, but I'm sorry we could not have met under better circumstances." She cast an eye towards Lieutenant Crispin, who simply nodded. "And it would probably be best if we moved indoors."

Savannah Leigh looked back at Corporal Wiggins who gave her a look concurring whole-heartedly. One of Wiggins's privates summed it up nicely by murmuring under his breath, "yeah, 'specially if the 'general climate' includes CBU flurries while we're out in the open." Wiggins stifled him with a flashed glare and simply mentioned 'vornskrari earshot is in effect' which meant not even a whisper while within a hundred feet.

"Archon, General, Madame, welcome to the Imperial Palace, Rio Casa, and the general climate of Xiscapia. Shall we move indoors?"

Rob bowed in return and looked at the lowering sky. "Certainly Your Highness." He recognised the young Kitsune having seen a picture of the prince from the dossier TMI had on Xiscapia. It had been scanty, but had included a slew of photos, mostly taken at long range. There were vanishingly few countries that TMI did not have extensive files on, though Xiscapia was one of them. He'd made sure that Rea and Errant had all that Tanaara had in the way of data and photos.

"Thank you for coming out to greet us personally, your Highness. "And it would probably be best if we moved indoors."

Rob spoke up as the group began to move towards the warmer and more protected climes of the interior of the Palace. "Might I introduce the Beta Miraade of, and Ambassadress to Tanaara from, Catawaba Miss Rea Vipe." Snow wasn't falling just then, but it looked to return quickly "And no need to stand on ceremony."

"Victoria, what tha hey-el are you doin' here?"

Victoria trotted gracefully down the stairs, mingling among the last of the aides and protective detail. She took the General's hand and pulled him off to one side, slightly. Sharp eyes searched his face, as she tried to discern just how upset with her he really was. Or was he upset in general.

General Matthew Quigley was in no way average, though he at times might have wished he was. He was handsome with firmly masculine features and golden brown hair and bright blue eyes. His good looks were make charmingly rakiish by the faint scar that slashed across his face from just above his right eye down his left cheek.

"I'm here with Rob,...and 'cause you're here" The last was said very softly as the pair trailed all the others. "I wanted you to see that my knee is as good as new." They hadn't had much chance to see one another in the interveining few months. The aftereffects of the Fall of Imitora, some six months ago, had kept both of them busy, and to her thoughts, sadly apart.

Matt was upset all around. Bad feelings abounded, but he usually had bad feelings about waking up in the morning or that the milk was souring. Today was no different or more precise. He wasn't viciously furious with Victoria. "Ya coulda sent a picture of yer knee, 'yer Ladyship'...insteada ploppin' yerself down into a barely simmering warzone next to an all-band bomb attractor." By the last, he meant himself. "Your Ladyship" was flippantly but affectionately said.

He missed her. The last six months he'd seen more combat and flown more sorties than he had since the end of the Revolution. He'd also faced his most difficult opponents as he went up against, and consequently shot down all by his lonesome, six Togovian 'advisors' flying Generation Six aircraft like his own F-1 Firebird. He was quiet for a moment, realizing he'd been pretty harsh. "I'm sorry, Vicky. I'm just afraid for you. Walking next to me down the street back in Neshoba is dangerous enough. Here? Hell...we take a JSOW right now. I'll stand up, smokey and roughed up...but everyone else? You?"

Mau Island...

It didn't matter to the Greali about the forests. Airborne troops would be dropped in places that ground troops couldn't reach. Nightstriker bombers began the horrifying campaign of bombing the forests deeper in the island, using simple Napalm bombs. The rule was simple: you shot one of our soldiers, we'll bomb the area from where the sniper was spotted. The Greali special operation teams, reinforced by companies of marines, were now moving toward settlements. The IFVs began to move, with armed bulldozers knocking down trees as the convoy moved deeper into the island. Greali troops would be on the lookout for snipers.

Joesph at this moment, decided it was the time to strike. Two of the team began firing their LY19 Advanced Light Machine Guns (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13371209#post13371209) while the other team members fired AR-44 Assault Rifles (http://wikistates.outwardhosting.com/wiki/AR-44) at the exposed Xiscapians. They were waiting for the perfect time to strike, and now the Xiscapians would pay for sinking their ships. At least these Xiscapians would.

Greali Armada

The fleet continued its unrelenting cruise missiles attacks on military targets in Xuong. The Xiscapian ships were continued to be targeted, and cruise missiles rained on shore defenses on the islands. The Greali ASW helicopters and fighters were on the look out for any enemy attacks on the naval fleet. If the Xiscapians attempted to attack by submarine, it would be countered by dozens of ASW helicopters.

Rob spoke up as the group began to move towards the warmer and more protected climes of the interior of the Palace. "Might I introduce the Beta Miraade of, and Ambassadress to Tanaara from, Catawaba Miss Rea Vipe." Snow wasn't falling just then, but it looked to return quickly "And no need to stand on ceremony."

Rea smiled. "Please don't standon ceremony, Your Highness. A Beta Miraade is simply a fair lesser Vice President of sorts. I have not instrinsic power in that title. It simply states that I am next in succession should something, though I pray not, ever happens to my brother, Errant."

Corporal Wiggins met the eyes of Lieutenant Crispin. He knew that Rea Vipe was a deeply religious Christian, but Wiggins held to the belief that the Beta Miraade might pray but the Guard would spray to protect the Alpha Miraade.