Toopoxia
28-02-2009, 03:06
"Strike fast and suddenly. Attack without warning. Secure victory before the foe is aware of his danger. Remember always, a war is easily won if your enemy does not know he is fighting."
Unknown Location, Operation Rest Easy Briefing
An image slid over the white board, it was of an old African man dressed in fine clothes stood with a crowd of soldiers and riotous citizens, "This is King Kibwe Al-Asami, ruler of Nkruma and since the eighties Toopoxia's strongest ally in Africa. His leadership has defied six communist rebellions with our assistance. Unfortunately Kibwe is experiencing the ill effects of his age, he won't be King for long." The slide changed to show a younger man, though his clothes were still expensive they did not imply a man of fine tastes, "This is his son, Prince Kibwe Al-Asami II, according to Nkruma law the Prince must ascend the throne, the problem is Al-Asami's attitude towards Toopoxia which could damage our trade links throughout Africa."
IndentThe slide changed again, showing a map of Nkruma with three dots, "Grass-Snake One will be deployed here at objective point GS1 at 0300 hours, three miles from Al-Asami's holiday home, make your way to objective GS2 where you will have a clear shot at the Prince, extraction from point GS3 at 0500." There was a silence which filled the room as the projector was switched off, and the lights suddenly flickered on, "Operation Rest Easy, commencing 0235, dismissed."
Operation Rest Easy, Kushwe Jungle
Light was now erupting over the rain washed jungle, deep greens were interrupted by golden light creating the magical illusion of a fiery jungle. Al-Asami cared little for this majesty, instead his gaze was fixed to the advisers seated in front of him, "Your father has invested a lot of time in building the network of allies Nkruma is proud to stand by, allies which have defended and supported our regime, and you want to throw that all away?" One of the eldest advisers complained.
Indent"I don't disagree that Nkruma needs allies." the younger Kibwe began, "Nor do I deny my fathers work was essential to Nkruma's position of power, I disagree with the policies of some of our allies, the company they keep and their treatment of their own citizenship." He argued, "I think now that Nkruma has invested power, we need to show the world this power, and I intend to start by allying Nkruma with more respectable world leaders." The adviser lent back in the soft leather chair.
++++
IndentBeneath the dark blue sky knelt Grass-Snake One, the black operations unit of Toopoxia, a single long barrel pointed towards the obtuse mansion. It was exactly 0401, Kibwe stood, moving into the laser sight of the Sniper, a resounding crack rang out across the jungle as Kibwe was thrown sideways by the force of the shot, his extended arm slipping from the hand of the adviser and resting beside his limp body, "Primary complete, moving to extraction." The Sergeant whispered as the unit slowly vanished into the thick jungle undergrowth.
Operation Rest Easy, GS3, 0443
All rested easily on the wet grass, a snake crawled through with the hope of finding, and devouring, some tasty prey, all it found were the thuds of Grass-Snake boots as they took up a secure location, out of sight, "Grass Snake One at GS3, awaiting extraction." The Sergeant reported.
Indent"Understood Sergeant, remain vigilant."
IndentThe squad was suddenly called to reaction as a man emerged from the thick jungle, rifle in hand, "GS3 is compromised, requesting further instruction." The squad sniper had his sights over the man, the Sergeant tapped his shoulder and shook his head. Another two men had emerged from the jungle, one armed with an antiquated RPG-7.
Indent"Grass-Snake One, extraction point changed, GS1 is now your extraction point, extraction at 0600, maintain radio silence for duration of operation."
Indent"Understood." The sergeant switched his radio off as more hostiles entered the clearing, "Grass-Snakes move out to GS1" The unit got to their feet as a raucous roar of machinery disturbed the nature of the jungle, "Skug" The Sergeant muttered. Two transport helicopters rushed overhead, picking up loose dust and grass and causing all in the jungle to peer overhead at the sky.
IndentThe RPG-7 was thrust skyward, the keen sniper took aim, look over to his commanding officer, who nodded, and fired the second shot of the morning, the Rocket shot from its tube and aimlessly spiraled into the sky. Three grenades hit the clearing, one began to instantly pour a thick yellow smoke. The rocket clipped the back of one helicopter, causing it to pour out a choking black smoke. The hostiles began to make their way back towards cover as the two other grenades tore up the clearing.
IndentThe helicopter spiraled down into the jungle, "Skug!" The Sergeant bit harder to hide his resentment, the second transport quickly sat down on the grass, Grass-Snake one broke cover and made for the transport, the Sergeant waited for his men to safely embark and the transport to hover a few feet off the ground before reaching for the handle, a projectile smashed across his back, he slipped and fell back onto the grass. Two rockets emerged from the jungle, narrowly missing the transport and throwing one foolish Grass-Snake to the side of his Commander.
The Aftermath, Volitaia
"Sir." A man in military uniform saluted his superior, Arseni Germain, Premier of Toopoxia, "Operation Rest Easy was a partial success." He admitted with pride. Arseni immediately stopped reading the dossier in his hands and threw it on the desk.
Indent"General, your position as my military aide was chosen from a field of twenty qualified and eager candidates." He paused, "Candidates who would never fail a mission because of a communication error, and who would not try to pass it off as a PARTIAL SUCCESS!!!" Arseni was now stood, furious, over the General, "As of today you are hereby STRIPPED of your rank as General, you will hereby serve as a Private, you can fight in whichever war you've started first by your partial success. Dismissed, I don't want to see your face in here again Private!" The now shocked and distressed Private quivered in worry as he slowly made it out of the office.
IndentA man entered the office, he was dressed in a fine suit and carrying a laptop bag, "Premier Germain. I'm Ambassador Sokolvic, you asked for me?" Arseni got out of his seat to welcome the stranger.
Indent"Good, good, I understand you're our man in Kibwe's court." Sokolvic sat and bought out his laptop.
Indent"I was sir, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nkruma until 1997, I do liaison with the Embassy now, there's been a lot of fallout from Kushwe incident, a lot of pointed fingers, a lot of them at us." He paused, "Sir, were we involved in Kushwe?"
Indent"No." Arseni bluntly responded, "And that's what we tell the Nkruma, deny everything, whatever proof they think they have, blame it on Communists, I don't care how, use false flags, planted evidence, anything at our disposal." Arseni moved closer to the diplomat, "We cannot afford to lose Nkruma and Nkruma cannot afford to lose us, fail this mission and you'll be condemning your countrymen to starvation and the Nkruma to death." Sokolvic backed away, typing notes nervously as the dictator went back to reading his dossiers.
The Aftermath, Nkruma
"Sir?" The question came again, "We need an answer." The General was stood over the aged man, "Dammit!" The General cursed.
Indent"General Yoruba, King Kibwe has already given you regency." One of the advisers reminded the General.
Indent"Don't belittle my intelligence!" He angrily responded, "I would prefer the people hear their future dictated to them by their king, not a boy from the slums who survived one too many wars." He paused, looking at the frail King.
Indent"Regardless General, we do need a leader, and you've been elected to lead us." The adviser rebutted, "We cannot afford our dignity to be ruined by the Toopoxicans making a mockery out of us." Yoruba turned to look at the casually dressed adviser, "We have evidence that the crashed helicopter came from Toopoxia and the pilot has confessed, under interrogation."
Indent"No!" Yoruba insisted, "We need Toopoxia as much as they need us, we cannot betray twenty years of friendship and co-operation."
Indent"But they already broke that friendship, when they attacked our Royalty and killed our Soldiers, Soldiers who had previously fought beside Toopoxicans!" The General shied away from this fact. "General, Prince Kibwe knew that there was a community out there willing to support a regime like ours who weren't as treacherous and single minded as the Toopoxicans, we have to fall back upon them."
IndentYoruba thought for a moment, staring out into the streets of Terlaka Gabez, then at the foreign secretary, "Mosi, prepare all the evidence of the incident, you are to announce to the world that Nkruma is no longer happy under the Toopoxicans!" He put his khaki green cap back over his sweating head and pointed to a young Aide, "Assemble the Commanding Staff in the War Room, fuel our fighters and prepare the Territorial Guard!" The Aide quickly lept from his post and began to carry out the orders.
Unknown Location, Operation Rest Easy Briefing
An image slid over the white board, it was of an old African man dressed in fine clothes stood with a crowd of soldiers and riotous citizens, "This is King Kibwe Al-Asami, ruler of Nkruma and since the eighties Toopoxia's strongest ally in Africa. His leadership has defied six communist rebellions with our assistance. Unfortunately Kibwe is experiencing the ill effects of his age, he won't be King for long." The slide changed to show a younger man, though his clothes were still expensive they did not imply a man of fine tastes, "This is his son, Prince Kibwe Al-Asami II, according to Nkruma law the Prince must ascend the throne, the problem is Al-Asami's attitude towards Toopoxia which could damage our trade links throughout Africa."
IndentThe slide changed again, showing a map of Nkruma with three dots, "Grass-Snake One will be deployed here at objective point GS1 at 0300 hours, three miles from Al-Asami's holiday home, make your way to objective GS2 where you will have a clear shot at the Prince, extraction from point GS3 at 0500." There was a silence which filled the room as the projector was switched off, and the lights suddenly flickered on, "Operation Rest Easy, commencing 0235, dismissed."
Operation Rest Easy, Kushwe Jungle
Light was now erupting over the rain washed jungle, deep greens were interrupted by golden light creating the magical illusion of a fiery jungle. Al-Asami cared little for this majesty, instead his gaze was fixed to the advisers seated in front of him, "Your father has invested a lot of time in building the network of allies Nkruma is proud to stand by, allies which have defended and supported our regime, and you want to throw that all away?" One of the eldest advisers complained.
Indent"I don't disagree that Nkruma needs allies." the younger Kibwe began, "Nor do I deny my fathers work was essential to Nkruma's position of power, I disagree with the policies of some of our allies, the company they keep and their treatment of their own citizenship." He argued, "I think now that Nkruma has invested power, we need to show the world this power, and I intend to start by allying Nkruma with more respectable world leaders." The adviser lent back in the soft leather chair.
++++
IndentBeneath the dark blue sky knelt Grass-Snake One, the black operations unit of Toopoxia, a single long barrel pointed towards the obtuse mansion. It was exactly 0401, Kibwe stood, moving into the laser sight of the Sniper, a resounding crack rang out across the jungle as Kibwe was thrown sideways by the force of the shot, his extended arm slipping from the hand of the adviser and resting beside his limp body, "Primary complete, moving to extraction." The Sergeant whispered as the unit slowly vanished into the thick jungle undergrowth.
Operation Rest Easy, GS3, 0443
All rested easily on the wet grass, a snake crawled through with the hope of finding, and devouring, some tasty prey, all it found were the thuds of Grass-Snake boots as they took up a secure location, out of sight, "Grass Snake One at GS3, awaiting extraction." The Sergeant reported.
Indent"Understood Sergeant, remain vigilant."
IndentThe squad was suddenly called to reaction as a man emerged from the thick jungle, rifle in hand, "GS3 is compromised, requesting further instruction." The squad sniper had his sights over the man, the Sergeant tapped his shoulder and shook his head. Another two men had emerged from the jungle, one armed with an antiquated RPG-7.
Indent"Grass-Snake One, extraction point changed, GS1 is now your extraction point, extraction at 0600, maintain radio silence for duration of operation."
Indent"Understood." The sergeant switched his radio off as more hostiles entered the clearing, "Grass-Snakes move out to GS1" The unit got to their feet as a raucous roar of machinery disturbed the nature of the jungle, "Skug" The Sergeant muttered. Two transport helicopters rushed overhead, picking up loose dust and grass and causing all in the jungle to peer overhead at the sky.
IndentThe RPG-7 was thrust skyward, the keen sniper took aim, look over to his commanding officer, who nodded, and fired the second shot of the morning, the Rocket shot from its tube and aimlessly spiraled into the sky. Three grenades hit the clearing, one began to instantly pour a thick yellow smoke. The rocket clipped the back of one helicopter, causing it to pour out a choking black smoke. The hostiles began to make their way back towards cover as the two other grenades tore up the clearing.
IndentThe helicopter spiraled down into the jungle, "Skug!" The Sergeant bit harder to hide his resentment, the second transport quickly sat down on the grass, Grass-Snake one broke cover and made for the transport, the Sergeant waited for his men to safely embark and the transport to hover a few feet off the ground before reaching for the handle, a projectile smashed across his back, he slipped and fell back onto the grass. Two rockets emerged from the jungle, narrowly missing the transport and throwing one foolish Grass-Snake to the side of his Commander.
The Aftermath, Volitaia
"Sir." A man in military uniform saluted his superior, Arseni Germain, Premier of Toopoxia, "Operation Rest Easy was a partial success." He admitted with pride. Arseni immediately stopped reading the dossier in his hands and threw it on the desk.
Indent"General, your position as my military aide was chosen from a field of twenty qualified and eager candidates." He paused, "Candidates who would never fail a mission because of a communication error, and who would not try to pass it off as a PARTIAL SUCCESS!!!" Arseni was now stood, furious, over the General, "As of today you are hereby STRIPPED of your rank as General, you will hereby serve as a Private, you can fight in whichever war you've started first by your partial success. Dismissed, I don't want to see your face in here again Private!" The now shocked and distressed Private quivered in worry as he slowly made it out of the office.
IndentA man entered the office, he was dressed in a fine suit and carrying a laptop bag, "Premier Germain. I'm Ambassador Sokolvic, you asked for me?" Arseni got out of his seat to welcome the stranger.
Indent"Good, good, I understand you're our man in Kibwe's court." Sokolvic sat and bought out his laptop.
Indent"I was sir, Ambassador to the Kingdom of Nkruma until 1997, I do liaison with the Embassy now, there's been a lot of fallout from Kushwe incident, a lot of pointed fingers, a lot of them at us." He paused, "Sir, were we involved in Kushwe?"
Indent"No." Arseni bluntly responded, "And that's what we tell the Nkruma, deny everything, whatever proof they think they have, blame it on Communists, I don't care how, use false flags, planted evidence, anything at our disposal." Arseni moved closer to the diplomat, "We cannot afford to lose Nkruma and Nkruma cannot afford to lose us, fail this mission and you'll be condemning your countrymen to starvation and the Nkruma to death." Sokolvic backed away, typing notes nervously as the dictator went back to reading his dossiers.
The Aftermath, Nkruma
"Sir?" The question came again, "We need an answer." The General was stood over the aged man, "Dammit!" The General cursed.
Indent"General Yoruba, King Kibwe has already given you regency." One of the advisers reminded the General.
Indent"Don't belittle my intelligence!" He angrily responded, "I would prefer the people hear their future dictated to them by their king, not a boy from the slums who survived one too many wars." He paused, looking at the frail King.
Indent"Regardless General, we do need a leader, and you've been elected to lead us." The adviser rebutted, "We cannot afford our dignity to be ruined by the Toopoxicans making a mockery out of us." Yoruba turned to look at the casually dressed adviser, "We have evidence that the crashed helicopter came from Toopoxia and the pilot has confessed, under interrogation."
Indent"No!" Yoruba insisted, "We need Toopoxia as much as they need us, we cannot betray twenty years of friendship and co-operation."
Indent"But they already broke that friendship, when they attacked our Royalty and killed our Soldiers, Soldiers who had previously fought beside Toopoxicans!" The General shied away from this fact. "General, Prince Kibwe knew that there was a community out there willing to support a regime like ours who weren't as treacherous and single minded as the Toopoxicans, we have to fall back upon them."
IndentYoruba thought for a moment, staring out into the streets of Terlaka Gabez, then at the foreign secretary, "Mosi, prepare all the evidence of the incident, you are to announce to the world that Nkruma is no longer happy under the Toopoxicans!" He put his khaki green cap back over his sweating head and pointed to a young Aide, "Assemble the Commanding Staff in the War Room, fuel our fighters and prepare the Territorial Guard!" The Aide quickly lept from his post and began to carry out the orders.