NationStates Jolt Archive

Lingard Navy Ship "Pursuit"

The Warhammer Class Frigate of the Lingard Navy sat just off-shore of a beautiful Pacific Island. LNS pursuit, sea for several weeks and had come across the Island. The Captain decieded to allow the crew of the ships to go ashore, before the long patrol properly began.

The Island appeared unihabitated as teh first of the shore party were ashore, ferried by, soon to be replaced Seahawk Helicoptors, more to give the pilots flight time then anything else, soon had a tented camp set up on the main beach and some had gone off into the island exploreing, though not expecting any trouble each man and woman was armed with M.A.C 45 ACP handgun, for fending off animals and any unexpected trouble that may be hiding.

OOC: Don't mind where you take this TBH, small unnoticed Militry Outpost, other ship doing shoreleave, Modern Day Pirates, whatever you want.

"You think we'll get anything?" the pilot asked. His weather plane was doing a routine reconnaissance of a possible tropical depression north of the Solomon Sea; it might be moving southeast, towards New Zealand, and was clearly in the WS Port Moresby area of operations anyway.

"Doubtful. There might be something forming, but I bet it'll already be dissipating by the time we get home," the meteorologist replied.

"Well, we'll see what the equipment says soon enough. Almost through." A minute, then, "All clear. We're heading back to base."

The meteorologist looked at the incoming data, and mouthed "Shit." Pressure was at 990 millibars and falling; wind speeds were above 75 kilometers an hour. This was clearly evolving into a tropical storm, far faster than expected. About the only good thing was that it had taken a turn to the northeast.

OOC: Minor tropical storm headed your way, if you don't mind. It's turned away from major populated areas, like New Guinea, New Zealand or Australia, but it'll happen to run over your little island.

OOC: Mind if I join Lingards?

OOC: Sounds good DC and sure Sutufianai feel free

Island

Liuetentant Charlie Johnson was with one of the teams that was expploring the island. They had made their way up to the top of one of the hills are were high above the rest of the Island and looked down, they could just see the Pursuit, where they had put her. Looking out to sea they saw clouds
"I don't like the look of that, sir" One of the Petty Officers commented.
"It'll probably be nothing" Charlie commented as they looked around again

Island, Opposite Coast from Pursuit

SNTS Stanchion (http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/dailypix/2003/Oct/18/localnews6b_b.jpg)

She was a rare sight these days, the ship was most litterally a three-masted sidewheeler paddlevessel that was out of date for even Sutufinai's times. However the vessel was still used by the Sutufinai Guard as a Naval Training ship for their Sea Cadets. She had been under sail power most of the day before putting in at the cove in the Island, and hadn't started up her coal plant yet. So it would be obvious why most had not seen her at the quick "Off hand glance". HOwever, at the top of one of the hills, where the Lieutenant and the Petty Officers were, if they turned directly around, in the shadow of the hill, they could easily see her three masts and her black stick sitting bobbing in the sheltered Cove.

Onboard the Stanchion

The Ensign's tail was wagging back and fourth as he stood at the rail of the ship, a swim to shore where they could relax in the jungles of the tropical rainforest. Sure, he could always take one of the longboats being rowed ashore by the Midshipmen... But why? He wasn't needing to be armed, and besides, what could possibly be out there? He gave a bark of glee as he watched one of the other Ensigns leap into the crystal clear waters just to the rear of the paddlewheel. He almost cackled with glee as he dove in behind the first diver.

----

"Well Collins, what do you think?" Stated Captain Hendrick as he looked over towards his second in command, who was dutifully writing up progress reports on the Cadets' work for submission to the captain who was infact standing directly before him.

"Well, sir, wireless is reporting that a rather unhealthy looking storm is making it's way gingerly towards us. There have been reports of another ship in the area, but so far I havn't seen hide nor hair of it. Sir," Stated the golden furred Canine writing on the papers, never looking up.

"Really? I shall be forced to count us lucky then, better to be in a sheltered cove like this rather than out on th' open sea on this beautiful wooden tub." Stated the captain as he watched one of the longboats rowing ashore past the rear windows of the vessel.

"Aye sir, just have to remember sir, She's a Tub not a Sub. Eh?" The Golden canine barked a soft laugh as he continued writing, sparing a quick glance up at the Grey and black furred Wolf at the rear windows. "Why did you give up such a bountiful career in the fledgling sub service to teach on a Cadet boat?" Inquired the second in command.

"Why?" The Captain turned around, "Because their not even the new age diesel electrics the rest of the nations have. Their loud, tiny even for the Humans, and unhealthy. Beyond that they'd be shot out of the water by any vessel afloat. Either that or we'd've been laughed out of the theatre of operations." The grey wolf shook his head, "No, my career, while slow, is much more fruitful and lengthy up here with these cadets."

----

And so, the long wooden, clad in iron, vessel topped with it's sails and masts, and sided with it's side-wheels for it's steam engine, bobbed in the gentle waves of the cove as it's Cadets enjoyed their shore-leave under the watchful eye of eagle-eyed lieutenants and the Watchmen on the lookout points on the masts. The were so much oblivious to the oncoming storm.

Island

One of the Crewmen turned around and looked down the oppistate side.
"Err sir" The Crewman said.
"Yes Crewman?" Charlie said.
"Look" He said pointing down.
"A ship" Charlie commented, "Lets take a look shall we"
With that the group began to make their way back down the hill towards the as yet unidentified ship. Making their way through the forest they were soon approaching the shoreline once more.

OOC: I gotta go to bed, we'll let DC post, I'll post tomarrow. =)

Another flight, six hours after the first, and they had a better sense of the storm's direction. Back at the Weather Station, debate went on about what to do.

"Doesn't look like it'll hit any populated islands. Just post the data to the website," the chief meteorologist decided.

"Shouldn't we do a search of records, make sure nobody's shipping's passing through?" a lawyer asked.

"That would take too long. However, just to be safe, we'll send up a plane and have it broadcast a warning. That good with you?"

"Sure."
---
This is a Tropical Storm Warning. Tropical Storm Gracie is expected to come through this region in six hours. Its wind speed is 80 kilometers per hour; pressure is 988 millibars. REPEAT: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for this region of the South Pacific, by order of the Port Moresby Weather Station.

OOC: Let me know if you're ok with this post and if not I'll edit it.

HMS Duckford (F348)
Ten nautical miles from Herrick Island

The frigate Duckford had been on routine patrol of Central Pacfic when her CO, Commander Roger Keegan, had opted to bring his ship in close to the tiny, and uninhabited, Tolvanic territorial possession of Herrick Island. Pirates were known to use the thousands of deserted islands in the area to stage attacks on merchant shipping and the vastness of the Pacific made convoys highly impractical. However, roving patrols by frigates like the Duckford had been quite effective at rooting out the pirate hiding places and put a damper on their operations. Besides with the approaching tropical weather system, the island would be a good place to shelter the ship for a bit.

"Conn, RADAR - I have two contacts near Herrick island. I make one to be frigate sized, designating as Sierra Five-Nine. I'm getting only weak returns on the other, I make her as a yacht of some sort, designating as Sierra Six-One. I also read what appears to be a medium helo of some sort, desiginating as Alpha Three-Two."

Keegan removed the mic from its rack and broadcast on the civilian guard channel all mariners monitored round the clock. "Unindentified vessels in the lee of Herrick Island, this is the Tolvanic frigate HMS Duckford. You are holding within five nautical miles of a Crown Territorial Holding. State your business on this island. Over."

SNTS Stanchion

Captain Hendrick came running into what everyone still called the "Wireless" room, despite having everything from a wireless telegraph to a sattilite phone. The radio was crackling as the radioman yelled down the way for him. His claws dug into the wooden floor as he came to a stop behind the wooden chair the Radioman was sitting in. "What do we got Ensign?"

The Radioman looked up, "Well Cap, it would seem that we're being challenged by a Tolvanic Frigate by the name of "Duckford", sir. Thing is that they are stating -two- vessels at this island, not one." The radioman looked rather worried about that last statement, and rightfully so.

"Damnit, It better not be pirates, We're only a training vessel. Five, six rifles and acouple of pistols. That also means we got half of our crew in ensigns and midshipmen on shore. We Both know how xenophobic Humans are to Non-Humans. Reply to the Duckword, or Duckyurt, whatever it was. I'll sound a general recall to the ship."

"Aye sir." -- "HMS Duckford, this is the Sutfien Naval Training Ship Stanchion. We put into this cove as a rest-stop to give some shore leave to our trainees. The Cove looked rather safe so we dropped Anchor and reef'd sails. We do not have any idea what other ships are in the area, we spotted a high-altitude aircraft's contrails a few hours ago."

----

As luck would have it, the SNTS Stanchion's "Wireless" operator had been out of his cabin doing something on the bridge when the weather report came through. Thus, while every other ship had reports of the weather the Stanchion was woefully unaware.

----

Just inland form the cove, Attn Lingards

Meanwhile, on shore,a group of Midshipmen led by an Ensign were doing some exploring and directional training. Exploring more than directional training of course, one had managed to scrounge up a baseball and some gloves as well. However they quickly learned that one of the midshipmen could not play, and couldn't catch a ball worth a damn.

Chasing the ball through the foliage the youngster of no more than 18 years was still highly able to move on all fours instead of only two like the older Sutfien canids. He came to a skidding stop when he plowed through into a clearing and tumbled to a stop before straightening up and stepping back, "Holy shite!" He barked, why? He was staring straight at the group of Humans he'd nearly straight into.

His exclamation quickly brought the other Midshipmen and Ensign running and coming to a stop to his right and left looking at the Humans. ranging from 18 to 22 the Sutfien were of various heights, their fur coloring ranging from Dull red/brown, to white, to midnight black.

They stayed reasonably quiet looking over the Humans before the Ensign stutteringly said; "W-Who are you people?"

HMS Duckford (F348)
Ten nautical miles from Herrick Island

"Stanchion, Duckford Actual - Herrick Island is clearly marked on all standard maps as a hazard to navigation due to heavy pirate activity in these waters. As you are currently within Tolvanic controlled waters, I order you to stand to and prepare to recieve a boarding party to ensure that your identity is authentic. Over."

LNS Pursuit

"Captain, we've been pinged by a Frigate, they are comming" Tactical officer reported. The Captain listened to the message and replied;
"HMS Duckford, this is the LNS Pursuit, our interests here are mere shoreleave, we've had a long trip"

Island

"Lingard Navy" The Lt replied, his hand resting on the grip of his handgun, but not taking it from it's place.

SNTS Stanchion

"Duckford, this is Stanchion, we hear you. We report that we couldn't outrun you if we tried. We will be waiting. please note, we cannot be boarded by Helicopter. We'll put on some Coffee for you, I hope you like burgers because that's what will be being served about the same time as you get here.

Island, Inland from the Cove

Other than the carefully trimmed and sharpened claws, that compared to what they obviously -could- have been, were quite stubby and not really dangerous... The group of Midshipmen and the Ensign were unarmed, unless you counted the walking stick of one of them a weapon.

The Ensign looked at his group of Midshipmen before stepping between them and the armed Lingard Navy seamen, "Sutfen Navy, I am Ensign Kendrick. I'm wondering... What are you doing all the way over here? We're on a trip around the world for our last-year test to graduate from the Naval Academy."

Island In Land From Cove

"Shore Leave" The Leuitenant replied "Resting"

*Bump* for tolvan.

HMS Duckford (F348)
Ten nautical miles from Herrick Island

"LNS Pursuit, Duckford Actual - Be advised that this island has been declared a Hazard to Navigation by the Tolvanic Maritime Transport Command. Any damages you may suffer as a result of possible pirate activity in these waters are your own responsibility. Over"

""Stanchion, Duckford Actual - You will hold your current position until such time as a boarding detail can be sent to inspect your vessel. Be advised that any hostile acts will be met with deadly force. Over."

SNTS Stanchion

"Duckford, This is Stanchion, we had guessed that hostile acts probably would lead to rather bad things. Would your boarding party like Tea or Coffee?"

As the radio was shut off to allow a reply the radioman sighed to the Captain, "This is insane cap, what happened to the relaxing shore leave and the whole "Survival training"? Now we're being boarded by another nation. You gotta know we'll be the laughingstock of the navy!"

The Captain shook his head, "Don't worry. We'll give 'em some coffee, walk 'em around a bit. And they'll be happy... and we'll get on with it and continue what we set out to do."

---
Inland from the cove.

"Shore leave, eh?" Stated the ensign as he plucked the Baseball from the Midshipman's claws.... "You like Baseball?" The Sutfen smirked, baring teeth in a funny way as his ears went forward rather than down... Obviously a challenge.

LNS Pursuit

"Of course, But I'm sure we can see of a few pirates" The Captainr eplied

Island, Inland from Cove

"Of course" The Leuitenant smiled