NationStates Jolt Archive

Richmond, Northford

The Foreign Affairs Committee was regarded as the “hot seat” in the Northfordian Parliament. Getting a seat on it usually required personal approval from Prime Minister Brookes, and on average a member had 3.4 degrees to their name. In recent weeks the escalating skirmish between New Tipperary and Prestonia was the primary cause of concern, even usurping the Questaria-Doomani conflict as Northford's biggest worry. The reason for this was simple: With Doomaningsland, Northford could take steps to remain neutral, and, in truth, as many measures were taken as reasonably possible to prevent an invasion, short of leaving the Questarian Commonwealth. On the other hand, the conflict between Prestonia and New Tipperary had the potential to overspill to the whole of West Haven, and sharing a boarder between the two states, the Northfordian colony of Southford had a front row seat for any fireworks.

Generally the format of the Committee was simple. The minister, or ministers that were summoned to give their daily briefing presented their views orally, and were then cross examined by the committee as a whole. As well as giving an oral assessment of the days topic, ministers also usually gave a written briefing.

"So so so, they're still at war?" asked defence minister Keating as he surveyed daily intelligence report from the Foreign Office.

“Indeed it would seem so”, replied the head of the Northfordian Intelligence Service (NIS), Dr Greybeard, “if you look at the report, the Tipperites have issued letters of Marque against Prestonian shipping, which is, by all accounts, worrying move.”

“Are the Tipperites aware that we trade with the Prestonians?” asked the MP for Swanage and Lowestoft?

“Yes, yes they are” responded a short, dapper figure in the far corner of the room. Minister for Trade, Business and Freight, Jonas Tanner wasn't usually the talking type. Typically his style was brisk: he'd offer a short comment, then expand to full explanation as soon as he was asked. Much characatured amongst Parliamentarians, his comments in Committees almost always forced the same reply.

“Oh?” asked Keating.

“Oh indeed” replied the Minister. “I've took the effort of attempting to get a guarantee that Prestonian ships heading to or from Northford won't be targeted. Either they didn't get it, or they ignored me... wankers.”

One of the more hawkish members of the committee, Hamish Tricker, cousin of James Tricker, wanted to ground the committee back in reality.

“Where do we stand with this... how much scope do we have for action without needing to legislate?” he paused momentarily, “... We ought to teach those middlings a lesson about doing things on our doorstep, although I'd rather not need this to go through an act of parliament. It'd attract too much criticism, and, frankly, too much interest from foreign powers.”

==

Official Proclamation from the Questarian Commonwealth of Northford

Following the recent degeneration in stability in west Haven, the Commonwealth of Northford feels it prudent to issue an open warning to all foreign nations that commits piracy on, around, or near its interests will not be tolerated. Nation states prosper through free, unhindered trade, and such actions only lead to the provocation of those such as Northford with powerful, competent navies who have both the means and will to civilise those who wish to destabilise the wider world

==

NNS Flying Saucer, Strobovia Strait

Hypercarriers, like supercapital ships, are the technology of yesteryear. Their large capacity, although intimidating to foreign nations, lacked efficiency of smaller vessels and subsequently found themselves retired in most navies. True to form however, Northford kept a number of these vessels in service, on the simple account of the fact they made excellent peacetime flagships. The NNS Flying Saucer was one of these such ships. It's large, >600 plane capacity and utterly unavoidable RCS meant that it was Northford only 'constantly visible' ship in the Strobovia Strait. Co-coordinating an 'at sea' fleet of 600, it was the cornerstone of a strategy that allowed the Northfordian Navy to maintain practically unopposable supremacy in its home waters.

Upon receiving “Operation Dettol” orders, the Flying Saucer and it's escort fleet moved from their holding position midway in the Strob towards Southford, with orders to establish a 100km wide exclusion zone.

==

NCS Cottonsocks

“We're taking on wa'er Cap'ain”

“Aye Mi'shipp'uns, close bulk'eads”

“It's doin' nout' Sir, we'run needing to ditch som'aa 'da Cargo”

“No'ah! We canna' let it free.”

“Bu' Cap'ain?!”

“Seal 'er up 'n' jump. We'll sit it'n watch from the pods... we'll do'er fine, 'n just pic'er up in' the Morn'.”

“Aye, Sir”


The Northfordian Cargo Ship Cottonsocks was, like most Cargo ships, buttoning down its hatches. It was midwinter, and therefore storms season. The Strobovia Strait was not unique: it, like every other major body of water was affected by the Season, and the Cottonsocks was unfortunate enough to find itself smack bang in the middle of Typhoon Lamda.

Owing to the dangerous cargo, the Cottonsocks was left adrift, with the hope that it would be recoverable in the morning, it's crew escaped on well designed storm pods, using radio uplinks, kept in contact with each other for the rest of the evening.

Little did the crew know something quite peculiar was going to happen...

Patrol Group 31, Strobovia Strait, 1530 hs

The heavy cruiser Belmonte and its 4 escorts cut through the water of teh Strobovian Strait, the crews were grumpy and morale was low. What was generally considered a leisurely posting had turned into a nightmare for the sailors that expected to be fishing, swimming and visiting the port towns. The typhoon Lamda, the tension with the Doomanis and the mess in Prestonia and New Tipperary had sunk those dreams quite quickly. The communications officer on the deck of the destroyer Palmera, therefore, was most annoyed to pick a distress call.

The signal was transfered to the Belmonte who's commanding officer, Capitán de navío Cistero decided to direct the little flotilla towards the source of the cry for help. Within a matter of hours they were upon a bunch of bright orange life rafts, occupied by the crew of the NCS Cottonsocks. The Palmera, in search of further survivors, sailed towards the ship on the horizon.

"This is the Palmera, we've come alongside the ship, strange substance leaking from the back, over."

"Read you loud and clear Palmera await as we consult status of the ship."

A flurry of communications between the Belmonte, the Franberrian Admiralty and the Northfordian Foreign Ministry quickly resulted in an answer for the crew of the Palmera, there was a kill order out on the Cottonsocks due to polluting cargo.

After its helicopters checked that there were no more survivors, the Palmera distanced herself from the Cottonsocks. Once the distance was deemed appropriate, 3 torpedoes were fired into the Cottonsocks, quickly sending the cargo ship to the bottom.

Patrol Group 31 then set heading for the closest civilian port, in order to take the survivors to safety.

http://www.bbcarchive.org.uk/pmwiki/pub/localphotos/sinking_ship.jpg

Cottonsocks sinking in Strobovia Strait.
Northfordian Herald


HOW DARE THEY?

Pirates operating under Tipperite letters of Marque sink Northfordian Cargoship carrying Vaccines, Navy mobilises.

Last night, under the cover of dusk, the NCS Cottonsocks was viciously attacked and sunk by Pirates operating under Spizanian letters of Marque. The Cottonsocks, carrying over a thousand gallons of live polio vaccine, as well as the medical equipment to deliver it is believed to have been fired on in the early hours. Little news has been released by the Navy yet, other than a short snippet stating that during force 9 gales three torpedoes were fired in 4 minute intervals, allowing the crew sufficient time to escape. It is believed that the pirates realised that the ship was not Prestonian and panicked, realising that if they destroyed the ship, any identifying data would be lost.

Fortunately for the sailors involved, a Franberrian Patrol was combing the area and rescued all those on board at around 07:00. Owing to the quick reactions of the Franberrian forces, it has been confirmed by the doctors treating the wounded that no one will suffer lasting injuries.

Rear Admiral Hasting will fly over to Clandonian South Haven, where the rescued sailors are currently being treated and personally award those involved with medals for bravery. It has been reported also that as a friendly gesture the Franberrian ships involved will also receive rewards.

There has been little comment from the Government, however sources close to the Cabinet have revealed Brookes is furious that the conflict has overspilled to Northfordian interests.


Government House, Redbridge

The glorious thing about false flag operations is that often only a small group of people need to be 'in' on the act for it to be effective. The sinking of the Cottonsocks was a prime example of this. Outside of the Admiralty and the Cabinet the amount of people that knew the full story numbered less than 100.

Aside from the issue of destroying large amounts of needed vaccines, the sinking of the Cottonsocks gave the Northfordian government the Casus belli to get involved with the Prestonian-NT conflict that it sorely needed. Over the previous weeks the Prestonians had quiet unashamedly been pursuing an aggressive war with New Tipperary in the aim of stealing their coal resources. Due to Kingston Pact commitments the Government of Northford had its hands firmly tied behind its back with regards to getting involved, however there was a general consensus within the military that something must be done. New Tipperary, while not being an ally, provided Northford with around 60% of its coal supply, and a full scale war risked endangering that.

Another issue that tied the hands of Northford was its explicit disapproval of the response of the Tipperarians. Why, many argued, should a nationstate be forced to resort to petty privateering to win a war rather than confront the issue head on?

The sinking of the Cottonsocks allowed the Northfordian Government to initiate Operation “Dividing the Fork”, a rapid, multinational mission to stabilise the region and render the Prestonians incapable of further aggression against its neighbours.

Day One....

Southford-Prestonia-Tipperite Boarder.

Densely forested, the northern edge of the Southford Complex was a beast to navigate. It was large, unpopulated, and essentially undefended, barring scientific observatories that took advantage of the lack of light pollution, and the patrols of special forces that held training camps in the area.

Upon receiving orders from High Command, 3rd Company of the Northfordian Rangers, Boarderwatch moved from their encampment low in the Neaping Valley that bisected the Northfordian-Prestonian Boarder. Their orders were simple: escape into Prestonian Territory, and distract the Prestonian forces from their conflict with New Tipperary.


Televised Statement from Alan Brookes, Prime Minister of the Questarian Commonwealth of Northford.

Good evening Ladies and Gentleman. As many of you are aware, today a ship flying the flag of Northford was sunk by pirates attempting to make a profit of the conflict between Prestonia and New Tipperary. As I hope many of you will understand, it is of critical importance that we do not allow petty conflicts to affect our nation. It will cost us lives, affect our economic output, and risk setting dangerous precedents.

It falls to me, the Prime Minister, to decide our response in times such as these. I have come to the belief that our response must be brisk, effective, but most of all measured, and fair to those parties involved.

I don't believe it is right to cast aspersions on who is to blame in the conflict between Prestonia and New Tipperary. I do, however, believe it is right to force an end to the conflict, lest any more live be lost.

To that end, I am authorising the Northford military, under the “International Shipping and Open Waters Act, 2005” to undertake a series of measures designed to secure the well being of Northfordian vessels deployed around Haven. Primarily, I have instructed 600 ships currently on patrol and Escort duty within the Strobovia Strait to blockade the coastlines of Prestonia and New Tipperary, with the aim to prevent a battle between these two nations from occurring at sea, where large scale collateral damage could occur to numerous neutral nations. This course of action also, that is to say, confining their military to port and severely restricting civilian access to and from the coast has the secondary benefit of allowing both nations to realise the inter-connectedness of the world economy. I do not believe they will both be so willing to take up arms when they realise the destructive potential that conflict risks.

In an aim to bring the conflict to an immediate close I am authorising the Northford Air force, in conjunction with the Naval Air Arm of the Northfordian Navy to enforce a “No-Fly-Zone” along the Prestonian-Tipperite boarder. This zone will stretch approximately 500 kilometers into both nations territory. I have issued orders to the Air force to remove any offensive aerial capacity either nation may posses at the first hint of armed opposition to the “No Fly Zone”. The Northford military will not be drawn into a battle, or indeed a war.

Our international partners will be helping us in this mammoth task. Our friends in Clandonia are assisting with enforcing the No-Fly Zone. Diplomatically, the Cravanians have kindly offered to lead a diplomatic mission based in Carpanthium tasked with bringing the conflict to a quick end, as well sending HMCS Spirit, a large, modern, hospital ship to the Southford Colony to provide medical care for all those that need it.

For those watching, rather than listening to me on Radio Northford, you shall shortly be seeing an image of the area that we intend to deny Prestonia and New Tipperary flying rights:

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4558/nsmapaj5.png

As you can see, the area is rather large. Despite its geographical vastness I have the upmost confidence we have sucess in our aims.

One aspect I have yet to mention is the role Northford will be playing on the ground in this conflict. That will remain classified for a short time, although I give my strongest assurances that lives will not be endangered un-nessasarily.

In the same spirit, I believe I have revealed as much as I can.

(Brookes is shown winking slightly at the Camera)

Good day, and Good night Northfordians. May tomorrow be a brighter day.

=

Downing Street, Warminster 2300 Hours KST

The full emergency wartime cabinet had now arrived at Downing Street to begin the emergency meeting, with the Imperial Chiefs of Staff and senior War Office civil servants. The powder keg situation in South West Haven was awaiting one more final spark and the situation over the sinking of the NCS Cottonsocks was a dangerous flick of a match. The Foreign Office were panicking as the situation near Clandonian South Haven was looking very perilous, a no fly zone with Clandonian Royal Air Force support was hoped to bring stability to the region. In the meantime though local Army commanders noting increased Prestonian activity were calling for more troops as the 400,000 strong Clandonian Expeditionary Force was flow into South Haven and their pre-determined bases in Cardiganshire. The Clandonian national carriers had been taken over as the Army was deployed overseas, reservists were ordered to their call up centres and the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command sent its birds into the air. The Minister for War, Lord Haversham was speaking with a laser pointer in hand.

"Prime Minister, the situation is on a knife edge with regards to Northford and the South Western continent. War is imminent between Northford and Prestonia so it seems, if push comes to shove then the Allaneans will drag their sorry selves into this Godforsaken mess."

The Prime Minister nodded, twiddling the pen as he watched the projected image of the strategic situation showing Royal Georgian League forces and their present locations. The next to stand up was the Lord Admiral in charge of the South Haven and Tristan sector, stretching from Tristan Peninsula to Rahland to the far South with the Falkland Islands.

"Should the Allaneans attack the blockade then we have plans in place to strike at them. One thousand ships in the South would diverge on Roanoke and begin Executive Order 247. Situation in the West with regards to our forces there, well... Eight hundred vessels between CSH and Cardiganshire with one of the battlefleets joining the Northfordian blockade of the Prestonian coast."

The PM shook his head, sighing.

"We must alert His Majesty, I want to raise our defence readiness to DEFCON 3 as well, order the Imperial and Home Fleets to begin preparations to sail North to the Arctic basings encase we must sail West, hopefully the Praetonians will be sailing the same way. I will fly at once to Kingston after this meeting to discuss the situation."


RAF Pretoria, Clandonian South Haven 2000 Hours Local Time

The first troop transports had landed, airbases were chaotic scenes with thousands of troops arriving with equipment on route to their pre-determined bases with helicopters, tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery. Fearful of a Prestonian incursion local militia forces were lining up at their Territorial Army Centres to take the Kings Uniform, fear struck into the hearts of many white Clandonians of a negroid advance onto the plantations and ranches that they worked on and owned, rape and pillaging of their wives and daughters. A total of six hundred thousand troops but the main power was the Royal Air Force, the garrison of the Clandonian Empire. Bomber Command with their B-22 'Zeus', Sabre and COT.50 'Ragnarok' heavy bombers on standby, laden with missiles and stand off weaponry to be used against foe. Enforcing the no fly zones would be a mixture of Fleet Air Arm and RAF Fighter Command RAC-201 'Shrikes' and the advanced TF-70 'Shukusei' stealth fighters.

Many civilians though waited in their homes, assault rifles and shotguns loaded encase of surprise attack. The Allaneans were only several hundred kilometres away and if they decided to intervene the coastal settlements of Pretoria, Cape Town and Henley-on-Sea would be devastated if the Royal Navy battlefleet defending the colony. The other battlefleet had been tasked to join the Northfordian naval blockade of the Prestonian coast, commanders had decided not to pursue a trip past Cloyster Coast fearing if war did come then the small force could be trapped and wiped out with anti-shipping missiles. The six submarine squadrons in the area skirted the coast, the ballistic missile submarines lurked in the death pin pointing enemy targets with MIRV packages and conventional cruise missiles.

Kentwood Manor
Hudson
1400 Hours

"Jesus Christ, what the fuck did Freeman drag me into? Yes, yes I know they blew up one of our mines. Look, regardless of what you may think General Oliver the fact remains that this war isn't doing our economy any favors. Ok, ok. Look, I've already discussed this with His Majesty; withdraw the troops to our side of the border and we'll see what the Tippies do. Ok, thank you General. Goodbye."

"Jackass." Prime Minister David Foster spat the word loudly as he slammed his desk phone into its receiver. Foster had been PM for a month, a month he was sure had aged him five years. His predecessor, it seemed, had left him with more than a fair share of messes to clean up after, be it Presto-RGL relations, ineffectual treaties, or just the simple act of keeping the nation safe. Just how exactly the man had managed to make it a full term was beyond Foster, but for now that was of little concern. Now, what mattered was ending the monthlong conflict with New Tipperary over, of all things, coal. The conflict had caused a massive drop in Prestonian coal futures, and with Prestonia's ports and airspace closed, a recession was looming. This conflict, obviously, had gone too far, and Foster was now preparing to do his part to rectify it.

Televised Statement from David Foster, Prime Minister of the Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia

Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen. As you are no doubt aware, for the past month a conflict has raged on our eastern frontiers, with our formerly peaceable neighbor New Tipperary.

For the most part, our war has been one which has had limited international effect. However, as the international community is aware, a Northfordian vessel was recently torpedoed by what are believed to be Tipperite pirates. Our conflict, a conflict I am ashamed to say was instigated by my nation for the express purpose of gaining resources, has spread as the cancer it is, and now threatens to embroil Southwest Haven.

To this, I say 'no more'. I cannot, and will not, continue a conflict which stands contrary to the cardinal values I as a Prestonian, as a Christian and as a man hold dear. I cannot in good conscience watch the misguided imperialism of my predecessor embroil a region in world war. Therefore, I hereby announce, effective as of noon today, that all Prestonian units currently engaged in New Tipperary have been given orders to return to Prestonian territory posthaste. I am ready and willing to come to the negotiation table if my colleague in New Tipperary is, and it is my request that the nations of Clandonia and Northford cease their blockade and no-fly zone posthaste as an acknowledgment of Prestonia's goodwill.

Let us end this conflict. Let peace and goodwill once more reign throughout Southwest Haven. Most importantly, let the world know this: as long as I remain Prime Minister of this nation, Prestonia shall never wage imperialistic or aggressive warfare on another nation without casus belli.

May God Bless the nation of New Tipperary, and may He continue to bless Prestonia.

Kampfers Stadt, Kampfers
In the Reichstag

Mikel Richtoff looked up from his notes to the television screen, and then back down to his notes. He had just finished watching the televised address by the Prestonian Prime Minister, and while he did not believe everything the man said, it was a decent enough speech to hopefully bring a close to the conflict. The Führer was currently sitting in his "Situation Room" of sorts. In reality it was just a borrowed conference room, but the real War Room was undergoing a massive overhaul. Soon, he could be having these chats in a state of the art center, but for now he was confined to this room. Turning to the head of the Kampferian Intelligence Bureau, Bill Richardson, he began to speak. "Bill, I want status reports from the General Directorate of Intelligence, B.00. Tell them to send me any satellite feeds they have taken of the Prestonian-Tipperite border in the last 24 hours, and continue to patch new ones through to me for the next day or so. Let's make sure the Prestonians are following through on their word. On second thought, send me reports from the Prestonian borders with Clandonian South Haven and Northford too. If they have anything up their sleeves I want to know about it, and fast. Also, have B.02 fax me an updated dossier on Foster. I want to get updated about the man."

Rolling his fingers on his desk like a drum, Mikel II took his right hand and slowly pushed it back through his dark brown hair. "This could be either really good or really bad." Turning to Großadmiral Schassner, he recalled that the Kampferian DEFCON was already increased past normal standards due to the Allanean wargames in Carpanthium, and that a large contingent of Kampferian forces were now in Neu Prussia as a result. "Maintain our current readiness level. If the Tipperites refuse to stand down, or if the Clandonians try something underhanded, send a number of our divisions currently in Neu Prussia to Prestonia via air transport. Any additional reinforcements we might send will have to come from the homeland, via the Western Transportation Funnel of Haven. As long as Zukariaa permits them to pass, that is. We already have a sizable naval contingent in the Strob, so that should be fine as is."

"I want to monitor this situation until it shuts down completely, gentlemen." Mikel stated to all the men in the room. "Keep me informed, down to the finest detail. I don't want anything slipping between our fingers."

John Schindle, the newly appointed Kampferian Minister of Foreign Affairs, spoke up. "Would you like me to release a statement about the affair, sir?"

"No." Mikel said firmly. "Not at this time. Not with so much at stake. We can't be divulging our position at this time. You all have your assignments. Dismissed."

Varbola Times
Prestonia Capitulates
Article by: Istvan Tamas
For the past month Prestonia has been in war against its eastern neighbor New Tipperary. Prestonia has portrayed itself as retaliating against Tipperite aggression in this conflict, while most analysts agree that the control over coal resources is main motivation for both sides.

New Tipperary chose to strike Prestonian trade by issuing Letters of Marque and Retribution against the Prestonian shipping transiting the waters of Haven. Pirates operating under those letters recently sunk Northfordian cargoship NCS Cottonsocks. Prestonia is a member of the Kingston Pact, the largest alliance in Haven, sometimes unofficially regarded together with Royal Georgian League and Questarian Commonwealth as Praeto-Questarian Bloc. In normal conditions member of Kingston Pact could probably rely on strong allied support against any act of piracy, Questers is especially well known for taking a strong anti-piracy stance.

This did not apply to Prestonia. Instead of supporting state with whom they are supposed to be allied, Northford and Clandonia established “No-Fly-Zone” over majority of the territories of both Prestonia and New Tipperary. In case of any armed opposition to “No-Fly-Zone”, Northford and Clandonia have promised to “remove any offensive aerial capacity” of opposing state, which in practice would be achievable only by bombing that country. All other states which are supposed to be allied with Prestonia have remained silent while sovereignty of their ally is ruthlessly breached.

One anonymous Olmedrecan official commented that this whole affair demonstrates yet again that Prestonia can not be regarded as sovereign state. Prestonian allies have treated it not like an ally, but like a puppet state which needs to be punished if it acts too independently. Prestonia has accepted the role of puppet which its allies have given it by making no attempts to resist “No-Fly-Zone” over its territory and pulling its forces out from New Tipperary. Prestonian prime minister David Foster has even condemned whole Prestonian behavior in this conflict by accepting that Prestonian goal was simply gaining resources.

Olmedrecan analytics have already commented that no independent state would act like this, especially before the start of peace talks. Now after accepting its role as aggressor, Prestonia may be even forced to pay reparations to New Tipperary. All this makes Prestonian attempts to depict their nation as sovereign state simply a sad joke.

Northfordians blame New Tipperary for Pirates, Blockade Bites
In the aftermath of the ridiculous attempt by Northford, formerly a friend of the Kingdom, to force a ceasefire on the battle in defence of the realm by blaming the government for the sinking of a Northfordian-flagged vessel by Pirates who happenned to have a Letter of Marque authorising the capture of Prestonian flagged vessels.
This stretching of the facts of international law has been used to justify the blatant imperialism against the smallest nation in the region.

With the blockade having already turned back two ULCCs that had attempted to depart New Dublin Dockyards for destinations abroad, the owners of the Praetonian vessel MV Juno and the Midlonian ship WDL Gilgamesh have so far refused public comment, although the reaction of the international community is expected to be severe, with spot prices of Coal on the Kingston Market rising nearly 20% on the announcement by the Royal New Tipperite Navy that the Juno had been stopped and boarded.

In a statement by the right honourable Edin Wimple (PM), today it was announced that the threats of the Northfordian imperialists would not be tolerated, when questioned on whether aviation assets in the affected regions had been withdrawn or grounded, he answered "If the Norkies want our aviation assets, I have this to stay, Molon Labe. If there forces singe even one blade of Tipperite Grass, they will rue the day they provoked us"

Refusing to answer questions on the Prestonian situation, he refused to comment on reports that infantry and other formations were continuing to mass in jumping off areas near the border, or that the Juuman Training Regiment, a New Tipperite commanded but a nominally Juuman formation had been withdrawn and transferred to the Northfordian Frontier.

He did however confirm that RNTAF and RNTN aviation assets have been transferred primarily to bases shared with RSDN/RSDAF units, and that assets located near the Prestonian and Northfordian Land Frontiers ahd been placed on maximum alert, with presumabely nuclear armed anti-flash white painted I.3s ready to scramble at 90 seconds notice, and conventional armed interceptors, including Na-27s flown by Juuman pilots at the GUNFIGHTER school were flying war-level patrols over all borders.

Although combat operations have halted for the mean-time, the government has yet to formerly respond ot the Prestonian Peace Proposal, and so an uneasy truce pervades the front lines.

"The Ministry is fully seized of the importance of this recent development, but we must also attend to broader strategic concerns," the Man from the Ministry said, having sat down at the table, removed his bowler hat and exchanged pleasantries with the portly representative of the Worshipful Company of Coal Traders opposite him.

"I don't think you are, Mr Fletcher, in fact..." the man tried to retort in a thick western accent.

"Your tea, sirs," the waiter interrupted, setting down a fine bone china teapot. The restaurant of the Royal Belgravia Hotel had overseen thousands of such meetings in the past - respectable men in finely tailored suits deciding how to govern the world over a spot of tea and a slice of toast. There was something reassuringly civilised about it that one simply did not get with absolute monarchies and politburos. And as the two men sat at their little table, hundreds of others buzzed in conversation over their own breakfasts, and dozens of identically finely arranged tables.

"Thankyou," the Coal Trade said, perhaps a little too tersely, and turned his face sharply back towards the Minister, somewhat absent mindedly stirring his tea a little too vigorously. "Now then. You'll have 'eard about the coal price I take it. It will not do. It simply will not.

"I want 'is Majesty on the telegraph t'Prestonia this afternoon and put those uppity colonials in their place. And Northford, f'that matter. Whatever do they think they're playin' at?"

The Minister sighed. He quite agreed, in principle, but then the Northfordians were and had always been allies. They could hardly be flatly contradicted and humilitated by their friends and associates. "You see," he fidgeted a little, the Coal Trader's face was getting redder by the minute, "there is not so much we should do when compared with what we can do," the Coal Trader had begun spreading the butter across his toast as though he were trying to scrape off half an inch of bread, "in fact, very often, the best thing to do is nothing at..."

"Now look 'ere you pumped up gasbag," the Coal Man growled, causing Fletcher to recoil as though the plump gentlemen were about to make a lunge for him across the table. "You an' yer fancy banking kind may not care for coal, but what do you think'll 'appen when the price starts knocking the electricity owt? Do you want the legacy of yer gov'munt to be pictures of warships moored on our rivers, providin' electricity fer shanty towns like some gordamned Yuslevakian shithole? By God man! Think of yer King and yer Country fer a change!"

Fletcher cleared his throat nervously, "Well, yes, quite."

"My members want Imperial Navy patrols in thei' convoys and ne more of this Prestonia nonsense. Give 'em a damned good shoeing an' they'll learn ne to do it again. Aye," the Coal Trader said to himself, satisfied in his own mind that this was a good idea, and took a bite of toast.

The Minister tersed his lips. "We have given certain... assurances," he was not sure it was a good idea to tell the Coal Trader this, but it seemed all he could do, "to New Tipperary. And, of course, we do not recognise the blockade. If Praetonian flagged ships signal for assistance, the Imperial Navy shall assist... against whoever may be the source of their compatriots' peril."

The Coal Trader smiled.

"Now," he crunched his toast, "what I don't understand abowt all this is why they sank that there Cottonsocks in the first place. Privateers? What profit is there in dead men and spoiled cargo?"

The Minister frowned.

"Unfortunately, that is a question with no palatable answer."

Peace Terms Officially Offered to Prestonia:
1. An indemnity of one thousand ounces of Sterling-fineness Silver shall be provided to each and every citizen of New Tipperary in the form of one thousand coins of a design to be specified (this translates to approximately 330bn ounces, which translates to roughly 7 trillion dollars) to be paid over a length time not less than five years.
2. All citizens of New Tipperary or its allies shall be granted exterritoriality into perpetuity
3. An area 300km across on the Prestonian side of the Prestonian frontier will be considered to be a De Militarised zone, no military forces of the Prestonian military will be permitted to enter it
4. An area 100km from the frontier will be designated an "Occupation Zone" and will be under the jurisdication of the New Tipperite Ground Defence Forces until such time that the Government of New Tipperary relinquishes this control, however it will nominally remain part of Prestonia.
5. The Nation of Prestonia will surrender its nuclear detterant to the Military Forces of New Tipperary undamaged within 2 weeks.

Kentwood Manor
10 Marlborough Road
Hudson
Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia and Her Overseas Realms


http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x267/Central_Prestonia/FamilyCrest.jpg
Office of the Prime Minister

I shall spare the pretty words here; these terms are quite simply laughable. In a conflict which has gone on for barely a month, and which has yielded scarcely over 500 combined casualties, your government expects to foist such terms as befit a world war upon Prestonia? The sheer idiocy involved defies belief.

Needless to say, your terms of peace are denied. Come back when you have something more realistic.

God Save the King.

[Signed]

Rt. Hon. David Foster, MP
Prime Minister

The Tipperite call for foreign volunteers to beat back the Prestonoid menace from their sovereign soil had not gone unanswered by the Doomani; indeed, with the conclusion of the Paralentic War and the demobilization of countless Imperial Guard legions, there were many thousands of battle-hardened veterans of fighting thaty had killed over eighty million people. While the majority of these were content to return to their families, a minority found themselves incapable of contemplating a life without war. It was these men that made up the bulk of the newly-formed Ultor Legion, hastily formed under the leadership of former general Sarius Doomanus Ultor, second eldest son of Imperator Maximus III and third in line to the Doomani throne. A brash and vicious man of twenty-five, he'd seen and done the most horrific things imaginable during his five year-long stay on Paralentum, where he'd done battle with soldiers of the Questarian Empire for the glory of the Imperium.

He'd been born just eight seconds too late; had he been born that much earlier, it would be he and not his identical twin brother Titus who would be next in line to the throne. Because of this, Ultor found himself pushing beyond the limits of most men in an effort to distinguish himself in his father's eyes. Indeed, by most accounts, Ultor was the greater warrior of the twin brothers, though Titus without question the more intellegent of the two, possessing the wisdom of a man far beyond his years. This had served him well on Paralentum, where he had commanded a legion on Crux. Ultor, who'd fought both on Crux and Paralentum Major, was much like his father in that he preferred to lead from the front whereever possible, and consequently was easily distinguished from his brother from the seven vicious scars that pocked his face and earned the unwavering respect of all who had served under him.

Though a seasoned veteran, he was still young, and some would say bitter, both from what he had seen on Paralentum and from jealousy of his twin. He sought glory above all else. Upon hearing of the incedent in Maximus' throne room in which Prime Minister Freeman of Prestonia was hurled out a window after insulting the Emperor, Ultor had the perfect recruiting line for his new legion that he would bring with him to New Tipperary to fight the Prestonians: Service ends only in death. For the men joining him on his personal crusade, this was a war to avenge the honor of their Emperor (though most would argue that Caesar had done a fine job at avenging his own honor, as evidenced by his new ash tray fashioned from the bleached skull of Prime Minister Freeman). After fighting in his name for all of those years and shedding their own blood on countless occasions, such an insult to their Emperor was an even greater insult to them, and thus without hesitation or compensation they signed onto Ultor's personal army.

The Ultor Legion itself was paid for out of the prince's own pocket: following the end of the war, the market had been flooded with countless surplus weapons, ranging from RPGs to rifles, even to main battle tanks and artillery pieces. These were purchased en masse by Ultor to equip his army, who by now was extremely adept in their use in battle. Recruitment of these battle-hardend former Imperial Guardsmen had been left to his right-hand man, chief advisor, and bodyguard, forty-eight year old Prefect Marcus Callidus, a highly respected thirty-year veteran who'd fought in the first war against the Questarians some twenty-five years ago and virtually every campaign since. Callidus was more often than not the balancing factor for the brash and aggressive young general whom he'd mentored from an early age.

Ultor had staged his heavy equipment in Nuclearum; he'd purchased dozens of MAD.IIAME main battle tanks and towed 152mm artillery pieces as well as 140mm Neco rocket launchers. As the area they were expecting to fight in was mostly mountainous, he'd set up his force as an infantry oriented one, with his forces mounted predominantly in CMPL utility vehicles. They would be fighting on foot for the most part.

Perhaps most importantly, he had invested in brand new munitions for his weapons: EFP carrying cluster munitions for his rockets and artillery, GPS guided ammunition, and fresh anti-tank guided missiles. He'd even shelled out the cash for a squadron of twenty-four Bellicus assault helicopters and crewed them with former Legionarii that had served under him on Paralentum. Armacorp had also been kind enough to give him a very large discount on his order of some thirty-thousand brand new AVIR Mod. III assault rifles he'd chosen to equip the bulk of his forces with as well as high quality optics for those weapons.

On top of amassing an extremely well-equipped private army with enough ammunition to exterminate a decent-sized country, he'd gotten together a fleet of armed merchantmen to carry them across the Strob to New Tipperary. This would be his major gamble: running the blockade. He seriously doubted the Northfordians would be foolish enough to try to stop his ships from crossing into Tipperite waters. After all, Maximus had only recently activated Nuclearum's garrison in response to Allanean activity in the area; the last thing they would want would be some thirty-thousand Doomani tanks rolling over the border because some over-zealous captain accidentally killed the son of the Doomani Emperor. Then of course there was the nearby Praetonian navy: they likely would not tolerate an attack on a man who happened to be the grandson of King Sarius (and the only of Maximus' children to be named in honor of him) an nephew of King George.

Kentwood Manor
10 Marlborough Road
Hudson
Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia and Her Overseas Realms


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Office of the Prime Minister

After careful deliberation, the Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia and Her Overseas Realms does hereby propose the following as a treaty of peace between itself and the nation of New Tipperary.

1. The military forces of the Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia shall immediately cease any offensive action against the Kingdom of New Tipperary, or the military forces of the same.

2. The Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia and the Kingdom of New Tipperary shall observe a Demilitarized Zone extending 50km in both directions from the presently recognized legal border between their nations.

3. The Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia shall admit, for historical record, the sole guilt in the initiation and perpetuation of the presently ongoing conflict.

4. The Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia shall render unto the Kingdom of New Tipperary the sum of P£25,000 per personnel killed in the conflict, to be paid to the next of kin of the same (this translates to P£10,000,000 or USD35,000,000).

God Save the King.

[Signed]

Rt. Hon. David Foster, MP
Prime Minister

Official Allanean Announcement

As of 20:00 this evening, ten Allanean Navy carrier battlegroups shall depart from the Cloyster coast, escorted by five cruiser escort battlegroups in addition to their regular escort complement. While this is nothing compared to the Clandonian and Northfordian detachment, the units will be all traveling together, making it a total of 540 ships grouped in a single unit. We believe that they will be proof against the commonly-expected kinds of predation. In addition, 200 cargo ships and 10 mothballed aircraft carriers are escorted by this fleet. Their mission is to deliver humanitarian aid, medicine, and other items to Southern Prestonia. Attempts to stop them will be dealt with harshly.

Statement of His Majesty's Government:
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Open Declaration:

His Majesty's Government stands by the committment to maintain the blockade of the Prestonian coast line. Any attempt by the Allanean Navy to run this will result in severe repercussions to Allanean theatre level forces at Cloyster Coast. This blatant attempt shows again the highly irrational nature of the Allanean government to supply the Prestonians with more war material to further their imperialist drive into Kingdom of New Tipperary. The nature of this conflict has caused great disruption to merchant shipping in the Strobovian Strait and caused turmoil and speculation in the coal markets at a time when many Clandonians require fuel for heating and electricity generation.

As of one o'clock in the morning Warminster time I have ordered the Clandonian Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm and RAF Coastal Command to begin mining operations of suspected routes to act to deter any Allanean attempt to rearm the Prestonian war machine. I am hoping that cooler heads in the Allanean government prevail before the guns of the Royal Navy and the missiles of the Fleet Air Arm are called upon to prevent the shipment of war material to the belligerent Prestonians.


God Save the King


Prime Minister Sir David Sistilin

Questarian Consulate,
Clandonian South Haven
12:52

"Jesus christ," the consulate groaned. "The entire bloody strait is collapsing around us." He ran his hand through thick brown hair and quickly retired it on account of the sticky sweat that prevailed in such conditions. Continuing to stare at the desk with his hand supporting his forehead, the consulate took a long drag on his cigarette.

"Calm down John, it can't be all that bad. They're dispatching a division of troops here to ensure that Questarian nationals are safe - and in any case these sort of things happen all the time. I'm sure it will die down." The Navy attache, a Commodore in a previous life, replied, leaning back in his seat and taking a puff on his cigar. A black servant arrived and poured the rotund man a gin and tonic, which was received with a curt nod and little else.

"You're just waiting for the war to start, aren't you?" John looked up at the grinning attache. He shook his head. "Look, I know you're sore about London, but-"

Whoops. The tray was thrown to the floor, smashing the expensive gin bottle and its tonic equivalent, and the glass itself. The servant took to picking up the large pieces and made a call for a proper cleaner, but the consulate barely noticed that. "Listen you overpaid bureaucrat, I shan't have you speak to me in such a fashion, I am a Commodore in His Majesty's Navy and -"

"Sirs, the car is here." The Servant droned with not a hint of fright, for Commodore Hubert-Connolly's fits of rage were well documented within the embassy's staff. Without uttering a word to one another the two men left promptly, down to the Gentleman's club for lunch and probably a meeting with a Clandonian official afterwards to talk things over. As the Land Rover Discovery departed the consulate, the first Westland Warspite bearing the Questarian flag landed in CSH and began to deposit its infantry complement. Something was afoot.

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[TO] <Open Communication>
[FROM] John Schindle, Der Neue Preußischen Diktatur des Kampfers
[SUBJ] Prestonian-Tipperite Peace Offers

In the eyes of the Kampferian Reich, the Tipperite offer for peace is more of a sham offering to better their stance in the eyes of the world. They know full well that their offer would not be accepted before they offered it. Even the most pushover of a leader would not accept such a deal. We believe the Prestonian offer to be the best option for peace at this point, although we are interested in a possible Tipperite counter-offer. At this point in time, however, the Allanean announcement only further agitates the situation, and we can only hope the Allanean government does not provoke the blockade by attempting to run it.

Despite this, it is our intent that the citizens of Prestonia be offered the much needed supplies that this blockade denies them. It is not their place to suffer. As such, a large relief convoy has departed Kampfers by way of the Western Transportation Funnel of Haven, and will drive through Zukariaa to Prestonia, where they will pass out the supplies for free. 50% of this endeavor has been paid for through charitable donations, and the rest will be funded by the Kampferian government. These supplies are centered around the staples of everyday life, and there are no war materials whatsoever on them. We hope that they travel unimpeded to their destinations.

[SIGNED]
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Minister of Foreign Affairs
Der Neue Preußischen Diktatur des Kampfers

Royal Colonial Club, Pretoria, Clandonian South Haven

The Royal Colonial Club was a strictly private members only sort of place, one ha to be invited to join the prestigious organisation by at least four other members. It was a place for high Clandonian Society of the upper class and aristocracy, frequented by many foreigners from the Anglosphere and beyond. On the waterfront at Pretoria, the main house was an elegant Georgian colonail style construction built in white marble. Palm trees lined the drive as the Questarian Land Rover were waved through the strict security, already the first signs of something astray were evident with the guards at the gate wearing body armour an helmet and carrying an assault rifle, slung neatly on the shoulder. Even for the colony with such a high percentage of expeditionary military forces the number of vapour trails in the sky was increasing at a steady daily rate, in the town centre many Clandonian troops in uniform sat around in the beer gardens smoking and drinking pints, enjoying the tropical sun compared to the snowy winter back in the Homeland.

The Colonial Governor of Clandonian South Haven Sir Lawrence Heffery-Lewis was a man in his late fifties, a smoker and a good drinker who enjoyed his stout. He wore a cream white line and cashmere three piece suit and sunglasses. He was sat on the Foxbury Terrace overlooking the marina where the rich and famous paid many thousands of Crowns a year just to store their yacht or motorboat. He was sat shaded from the intense sun by the umbrella, the table was set for luncheon as the Questerians were showed to the Governor by a negro waiter who scuttled away just as they were supposed to.

"Ah gentleman, how pleasant of you to join me for luncheon." In his thick South Haven accent, with a slight taint of a Home Counties jib in pronouncement of words that he had learnt from his days as a border boy at Harrow.

Drinks were brought to the table and placed on the neatly set table, Clandonians put great pride into table presentation and those in Clandonian South Haven were immensely proud, their negroid servants had trained at some of the best butler academies of the Home Counties and were paid well for a negro in the colony with its strict semi-apartheid rules.

"Now I invited you here to discuss the situation across the water. Those beastly Allaneans will probably strike here first, a symbol of Clandonian dominance but the way things are going I think we can hold the buggers off!"

Taking a sip of his gin and tonic he continued.

"Now I hear your chaps are coming in today, this is spiffing and will help reinforce the place and provide a bit of a deterrent. We do have shelters here but the colony is so large and the border with Prestonia is mostly dense jungle, mined and covered with surveillance equipment and with the armoured divisions ready with two thousand tanks of the new Imperator-IIM design, the Doomanis know how to build their armour. Most of our tanks, artillery and other armoured vehicles is Doomani here-same as the regular army which is now setting up camp here with the Clandonian Expeditionary Force. I can field 200,000 men from thirteen year old cadets to people my fathers age who can still shoot one of the bastards from 200 yards away."

"The main worry is the Allaneans they are on par with the ilk of Gholgoth, they are barbarians as people and I know from watching the newsreels of London in the Four Day War of what they can do, even with the overwelming numbers of the Fleet Air Arm and Coastal Command I have advised civilians to start digging their own shelters and stockpile on food and ammo, I have faith in the Royal Navy and Air Force but if they plough from Northford then against the Allanean Army even our newly equipped ground forces will be overwhelmed by their shear numbers alone."

The Questarians took their seats and their drinks and listened to what the Governor had to say intently. If war was coming, the Questarian Empire would have to decide exactly what it was going to do, and how they reported back to the War Ministry could seriously change Questarian policy.

John Rogers, the consulate to Clandonia, had been chainsmoking consistently since he had awoken and read the news that morning and had already demolished a pair of twenty packs by lunchtime. Breaking a new one open, he pushed the cigarette into his lips gently and realised he was still shaking. Allowing the black waiter to light it for him, he turned to the Governor.

"We have absolute faith that South Haven will hold against the Allanean racial-communist hordes. You see," he said, leaning over to look the Governor in the eye, "Questaria and South Haven share a way of life that the rest of the Pact don't understand. And Allanea doesn't understand that way of life, either. That's why she thought bombing London would win her the war. The Allaneans know the only thing awaiting them on this side of the border is a line of bayonets. So they will use overwhelming force to "liberate" this colony.

"And you and I both know what that means. You wouldn't want to be white when those barbarians come charging over the border.

"For reasons unknown to me, the Royal Navy is deploying en masse to the Strobovian Strait; some eighty carriers in total are being shifted east. It's not even to do with Allanea, but that's a good ten thousand aircraft, out of the pan and maybe into the fire. There's a possibility we could deploy another division tonight, but I am unsure of the timescales. The 24th Rifle Division served three tours of Paralentum and engaged elements of the Allanean Army in San-Nere in the Four Day War. They'll serve you well, Governor.

He leant back, ashed out the cigarette and pulled another one from the pack and lit it.

"Should South Haven come under attack, I have been authorised to inform you that the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm has contingency plans to annihalate the Cloyster Coast and any advancing forces into South Haven from the air. The second Allanean troops come charging across the border, there will be hell on Earth. I have been told by the Prime Minister himself to inform you that Clandonian South Haven will not fall to Racial Communism."

Official Allanean Reply to the Questarians:

As you perfectly know, a blockade is an act of war. You are now siding with New Tipperary and against our own mutual ally – but we bear you no ill will due to it. We are sending forth a convoy of humanitarian aid helping to offset the effects of your inhumane, illegal blockade on the population. Should you wish to inspect the ships and see that they contain merely shipments of humanitarian nature, we could easily arrange that. In the meanwhile, the shipment is proceeding. Mines have been detected on our approach lanes, but so far the demining equipment allows us to proceed, albeit at a reduced speed.

Again, you are welcome to inspect our shipment.

Official Allanean Message to New Tipperary:

We recommend that you agree to the Prestonian peace offer. Should you do so, we will match the Prestonian payments dollar for dollar from the Confederate budget.

Official Allanean Reply to the Questarians: [OOC: I never messaged you!?!?!]

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Official Olmedrecan Statement:

Olmedrecan government considers whole Prestonian proposal simply ridiculous. In this war there is no doubt who is the aggressor and who is the victim, even Prestonia itsselfly has accepted its expansionist goals. Therefore peace treaty needs to give all neccessary quarantees that this invasion will not happen again, and New Tipperary needs to get an appropriate compensation. All security quarantees like buffer zones and demilitarized zones need to come fully from Prestonian side, it is ridiculous to even consider victim being forced to demilitarize part of its territory after suffering an aggression. Prestonian compensation can be considered simply as insufficient, aggressor must compensate all damages and costs of victim, especially as Prestonia should be fully capable for that. Finally those high Prestonian officials who are quilty for starting the aggression should be put on trial.

Olmedrecan Foreign Ministry

Kentwood Manor
10 Marlborough Road
Hudson
Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia and Her Overseas Realms


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Office of the Prime Minister

The following is an amended suggestion for a treaty of peace between the Kingdom of New Tipperary and the Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia:

1. The military forces of the Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia shall immediately cease any offensive action against the Kingdom of New Tipperary, or the military forces of the same.

2. The Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia shall observe a Demilitarized Zone extending into its territory for 50km and spanning the length of the presently recognized legal border between itself and the Kingdom of New Tipperary.

3. The Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia shall admit, for historical record, the sole guilt in the initiation and perpetuation of the presently ongoing conflict.

4. The Royal Commonwealth of Prestonia shall render unto the Kingdom of New Tipperary the sum of P£25,000 per personnel killed in the conflict, to be paid to the next of kin of the same (this translates to P£10,000,000 or USD35,000,000).

God Save the King.

[Signed]

Rt. Hon. David Foster, MP
Prime Minister

Official Statement

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The Realm condemns the Prestonoid attempt at suing for peace under such unfavorable terms to the victim party, the New Tipperites. Given that the Prestonoids started this conflict - a fact which is not in dispute by any party - the Realm believes that the Prestonoids should give the Tipperites a total capitulation and offer acceptable compensation and war repatriation to the Tipperies, as well as extradition of the persons guilty of starting this aggressive invasion against the Tipperites to New Tipperary for trial. This will in the view of the Realm lead to an end to the increased surge of piracy and attacks upon Cottish and allied shipping in the area around the Prestonoid homeland, something which is a direct threat to Cottish interests and an indirect threat towards Korangar Island.

Until the before mentioned peace agreement is achieved with the results the Realm expects will come from this, His most Exhaulted Majesty the King of Cotland has decreed that Prestonia shall be denied the use of the Korangar Strait and an area of sea within 1 000 kilometers of Korangar Island in all directions. This includes both ships, submersibles and aircraft. All Prestonoid ships, submersibles and aircraft shall also be banned from the use of Cottish ports and waters until said peace agreement is achieved with the results the Realm expects.

Due to His Majesty's most enormous generousity, to which the Prestonoids are most undeserving, Prestonia will receive 24 hours to withdraw all ships and aircraft from the above mentioned area before His Majesty's Armed Forces remove said ships and aircraft from the area with the force It deems necessary. We urge the Prestonoids not to test the Realm's resolve in this matter, lest we be forced to take harsher action to ensure Prestonoid compliance.

The Realm also warns Allanea and other parties that this denial of use of the sea shall also apply to vessels from other nation-states with destination for Prestonoid ports. Should any vessel or aircraft attempt to violate this decree, it will be met with force. Should said vessel or aircraft attempt to hinder His Majesty's Armed Forces from carrying out their lawful task as duly decreed by His most Exhaulted Majesty, it shall be considered an act of aggression and/or war against the Realm, depending on the circumstances and nature of the attack upon His Majesty's Armed Forces, and be dealt with accordingly.

We warn on the strongest against testing our resolve, unless the tester has a wish for a swift and most uncomfortable end to his and/or her life.

Signed,

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In the name of His Majesty King Haakon VIII
The Realm of Cotland

SIC:
INTERNAL KAMPFERIAN COMMUNIQUE - ENCRYTION LEVEL ZEHN
EYES-ONLY MIKEL RICHTOFF

B.00 REPORTS TIPERRITE TROOPS MASSING NEAR PRESTONIAN BORDER.
B.00 REPORTS CLANDONIAN TROOPS MASSING NEAR PRESTONIAN BORDER.
SUSPECT FUTURE BREACH OF PRESTONIAN SOVEREIGNTY.
REQUEST INCREASE IN READINESS LEVEL.

IC:

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[TO] <Open Communication>
[FROM] Mikel II, Der Neue Preußischen Diktatur des Kampfers
[SUBJ] Re: Prestonian-Tipperite Peace Offers

This is absurd. What gives the nations of Cotland and Olmedreca the right to make such demands of Prestonia? The ignorance of their leaders is displayed left and right, and it would deeply sadden the Kampferian Reich if Prestonia was foolish enough to succumb to their wishes. First, their arrogance to use a derogatory slur to refer to the Prestonian people in an official statement in which the Prestonians are one of the main parties intended to read is sickening. Furthermore, they demand the perpetrator of the war to be put on trial; not only is an over the top demand, it is also quite impossible. The Prime Minister responsible for the attack on New Tipperary was killed a number of days ago. Continuing on, the Cottish demand "total capitulation", something that the state of New Tipperary is in no state to demand. In a final move of treachery and foolishness, the Cottish state has closed off the use of the Korangar Strait. Now is not the time for escalation, but rather we should be scaling back our military threats.

The involved members of the KGP and RGL have lowered themselves in the eyes of Kampfers. The fact that you would stab your ally in the back is bad enough, but you would do it for no gain whatsoever lowers you to contempt in the eyes of the Kampferian Reich. Calling the Tipperites a "victim state" does little to alter the fact that you are betraying one that you call "ally." For that matter, it is the opinion of this man that New Tipperary is almost as much to blame for this conflict as Prestonia, therefore making New Tipperary not a victim state at all. If an ulterior motive for toying with Prestonia's government exists, then state it now, instead of masking your reasons with cowardice. There has been enough of this disgraceful action already. As a result, I am officially petitioning the Northfordian government to lift their blockade of Prestonia. She has cooperated with your desires, coming to the table to try and broker a peace, and has made legitimate counters to whatever has been proposed by the Tipperites. End this now, before it gets too out of control.

[SIGNED]
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Führer of Kampfers
Sovereign of the Empire of Großkampfers
Supreme Commander of the Kampferian Armed Forces
Head of the House of Richtoff

Guys, I need time to write a big post, I'd appreciate if nothing *major* went down until I had time to respond, thanks.

Official Allanean Response

We would like to remind His Majesty, King Haakon, that Korangar Island lies within 150 kilometers of the Prestonian coast. The proposed denial radius will deny the Prestonians the use of a merchant navy, operation of civilian aircraft, and any kind of foreign commerce, including the use of their own territorial waters and airspace. We would like to remind his Royal Majesty that not only is an Allanean operation of supplying the Prestonians with humanitarian aid still in process (our ships are now within 900 kilometers of the Prestonian coast), but Allanean automotive companies continue to export cars and other products to Prestonia and Allanean pharmaceutical companies continue to cycle recreational drugs and industrial hemp out of that country.

Furthermore, we remind His Majesty, that both Prestonia and Allanea are members of the Kingston Pact. An unprovoked attack on civilian targets within Prestonian territory or on Allanean civilian assets and aid convoy would be a declaration of war and a violation of our NAP. We know King Haakon is a man of his word and will not violate the Pact in this uncouth manner.

Trusting in King Haakon's word, our ships will continue on their journey. Trade with our allies in Prestonia, with whom Allanea has free trade and mutual protection treaties, will continue.

That is all.

May God Continue to Bless Allanea.

Official Statement

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The Realm wish to note for the record that it is not a signatory to the Kingston Pact, nor any other agreement with Prestonia concerning diplomacy and/or military assistance, and hence Prestonia cannot be referred to as a Cottish ally. The Realm further advise the Kampferian Reich and the Allanean nation to immediately sack whoever was responsible for providing their leaders with the flawed information that Cotland is a signatory of the Kingston Pact, as said person clearly don't know what he or she is doing.

As to what gives the Realm the right to make demands towards Prestonia, the Realm is superior in every way to the Prestonoid state, having both the stomack and the willingness to stand behind its demands, even when the critical spotlight of lesser nation-states is placed upon it. As it is common knowledge that the Cot is superior in every way to every other race on the planet, and given the Divine Wisdom of His Majesty, the Realm is by Natural Law permitted to place whatever demands it feels it can enforce. Closing off the Korangar Strait to Prestonoid use is well within this definition.

Furthermore, the Realm advice the Kampferian Reich to tread carefully in its insults towards the Realm. While the Realm has no ill feelings towards Kampfers and lack of experience with the young Führer Mikel II, it will not sit idly by and continue to be insulted by a nation-state whose principal colony lies well within the reach of a million loyal Cottish soldiers. The Realm urge the Kampferian Führer to restrain his youthful zeal and let his head cool before he takes another look at the situation.

Effective as of 0500 hours today, His Majesty's Armed Forces in Østergår joined their comrades in Korangar and in the Sacred Homeland of the Realm in achieving Beredskapsstatus-3 as a defensive measure towards potential Allanean aggression towards Østergår. Twelve hours and thirty minutes remain of the most generous deadline set forth by His most Exhaulted Majesty. The Realm encourage Prestonia and all other nations heading for Prestonia to either withdraw all ships and aircraft from the exclusion zone, or to encourage Prestonia to reach a peace agreement that is accepted by New Tipperary within the end of the deadline.

The Realm wish to note for the record that the Non-Aggression Pact signed by the Realm and Allanea explicitly states that it shall only cover incidents directly between Allanea and Cotland, and not proxy states. Therefore, should Allanea attack the Armed Forces of the Realm as a result of this situation, it will be Allanea that violates the Non-Aggression Pact, not the Realm. Should Allanea desire war on the Realm, it is clearly more insane than it was believed to be, and therefore has no right to continue to exist under Natural Law. The Realm is forced to take these actions to protect Cottish interests and commerce in the area, which has suffered as a direct result of Prestonoid aggression.

Should Allanea desire not to have its ships intercepted and turned around by the Realm, it should endeavour to either turn the ships around and return to whence they came from, or to send the ships towards Prestonia via a route that takes it outside the Exclusion Zone.


Signed,

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In the name of His Majesty King Haakon VIII
The Realm of Cotland

Official Allanean Response

We would like to remind his Majesty's government that the word 'stomach' is spelled with an 'h' rather than a 't', and further would like to request a map of the exclusion zone on which routes of safe access to the Prestonian [and not by any means Prestonoid] shore are denoted. In the meanwhile, we will proceed.

As of our last briefing, 830 kilometers remain between us and our goal.

OOC: Cotland, please check your Haven forum TGs.

The Questarians took their seats and their drinks and listened to what the Governor had to say intently. If war was coming, the Questarian Empire would have to decide exactly what it was going to do, and how they reported back to the War Ministry could seriously change Questarian policy.

John Rogers, the consulate to Clandonia, had been chainsmoking consistently since he had awoken and read the news that morning and had already demolished a pair of twenty packs by lunchtime. Breaking a new one open, he pushed the cigarette into his lips gently and realised he was still shaking. Allowing the black waiter to light it for him, he turned to the Governor.

"We have absolute faith that South Haven will hold against the Allanean racial-communist hordes. You see," he said, leaning over to look the Governor in the eye, "Questaria and South Haven share a way of life that the rest of the Pact don't understand. And Allanea doesn't understand that way of life, either. That's why she thought bombing London would win her the war. The Allaneans know the only thing awaiting them on this side of the border is a line of bayonets. So they will use overwhelming force to "liberate" this colony.

"And you and I both know what that means. You wouldn't want to be white when those barbarians come charging over the border.

"For reasons unknown to me, the Royal Navy is deploying en masse to the Strobovian Strait; some eighty carriers in total are being shifted east. It's not even to do with Allanea, but that's a good ten thousand aircraft, out of the pan and maybe into the fire. There's a possibility we could deploy another division tonight, but I am unsure of the timescales. The 24th Rifle Division served three tours of Paralentum and engaged elements of the Allanean Army in San-Nere in the Four Day War. They'll serve you well, Governor.

He leant back, ashed out the cigarette and pulled another one from the pack and lit it.

"Should South Haven come under attack, I have been authorised to inform you that the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm has contingency plans to annihalate the Cloyster Coast and any advancing forces into South Haven from the air. The second Allanean troops come charging across the border, there will be hell on Earth. I have been told by the Prime Minister himself to inform you that Clandonian South Haven will not fall to Racial Communism."


Sir Lawrence Heffery-Lewis lit his pipe, tossing the match into the ash tray as he listened to the Questerian consular.

"The news of the Royal Navy deployment is jolly good there are 24 Clandonian Royal Navy fleet carriers in the area now, I am certain that this governments policy of using the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force as the garrison of the Clandonian Empire will pay off today. A decisive battle must be waged against Cloyster Coast with our air assets if war begins. When it begins my commanders both FAA and RAF will call in their bombers along with strategic bombing conducted by Bomber Command units, I want the rubble in Cloyster to be turned into smaller bits of rubble if the Allaneas keep pushing onwards."

"I wish to thank your government for the additional troops, their presence alone will put the Allaneans a dilemma, attack Clandonian South Haven and risk the wrath of the Questerian Empire."

The Allanean fleet continued steaming towards the Prestonian shore, moving in schoolbook convoy formation. After seamines had been detected – and destroyed by Allanean countermeasures – the fleet's craft had been taking extra precautions as they traveled towards the Prestonian shore. They were instructed to avoid the Cotlandi exclusion zone – as the Allaneans wished to avoid unnecessary fighting.

500 more kilometers separated them from the Prestonian shore.

[post retconned at request of player]

Boris, retcon that please, I've spent quite some time writing a post.

#http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t262/Spizania/NewT-Itesposter.jpg
Field Marshal issues call, millions answer
Following the call of celebrated soldier Field Marshal Broadswarthy-Grant, millions of men and women have been queuing outside all operating military recruiting offices, and at new stations set up on street corners to handle the massive influx, in the wake of the mobilisation of the reserve forces the nation is expecting a huge spike of new volunteers, with the energy industry and medicine being the only two "reserved occupations".
Juuman LSTs and transport vessels have reportedly been loaded in the giant nation's Antarchon Ports and are reportedly sailing at maximum speed to complete the delivery of a new emergeancy "Lend-Lease" purchase of huge quantities of arms, supplies and ammunition.
Ministry of War sources state that the number of new recruits is approaching 15 million, with half a million coal workers already turned away to return to work, which is considered to be vitally important to the national economy, accounting for nearly 90% of GDP last year.