NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: This thread grew out of events here (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=589862).

Situation: Two (edit: Three) factions, no holds barred. The deposed Emperor is making an attempt to regain his throne. This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Olafofnorway.jpg) is my take of the Emperor, this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MakovskiyVE_MariyaFedorGRM.jpg) of his sister, the new Empress. Edit: And here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Kostis_stephanopoulos.jpg) is my take on Melepotas.

Rules: Simple. Do what you want, but ask me for permission to join first.

People with pre-invitations:

Volzgrad
Northern Rangeria
Allanea
Any member of the CIN
Any nation with an Embassy in the Empire can get involved.

A map will be made ASAP. In the meantime, just picture the Byzantine Empire circa 1050, flipped upside-down. North is South, East is West - hence, Michael is east of the capital, even though he controls Sirmium as his de facto base of operations. And the two halves of the Empire are two separate, large islands, with several smaller ones representing various provinces. Here's a decent map (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/f/fa/Map_Byzantine_Empire_1045.svg/800px-Map_Byzantine_Empire_1045.svg.png) to start with.

IC:

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Michael Iastos Basilios Doukas-Palaiologos was no longer the Emperor; no longer the leader of the Empire of New Chalcedon. The Senate had, in an unprecedented move, stripped him of this title, making him merely Citizen Palaiologos, although his sister, the new Empress, had assured him that he would get a title of some kind once the furore had settled down.

And it burned. The hatred burned in his stomach like forgefire: hatred of his treacherous supporters, hatred of the foreigners whose actions had precipitated the crisis in the first place, hatred of the Senate, whose leaders had been looking for an excuse to overthrow him even though he spared them (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=553445), hatred even of his sister, who had not done the right thing by spurning the tainted crown and who compounded this with her condescending little kindnesses. Almost the only person he didn't hate was his brother Constantine, who had refused the Crown rather than take glory from his humuliation.

And in an added indignity, he had just received word that he had twenty-four hours to move out of the Mangana - his home for his entire life. As he sat before the desk brooding, something finally snapped within him. Michael Palaiologos decided that he was not going down without a fight. Let the Senate meet him on the battlefield and see how many of their partisans stood up for them then!

He thought a moment, asssessing lists of friends, enemies and people who needed to be swayed. Then he called a number, and waited for the other person to pick up. When they did, he said into the phone "Yevlena? It's me." Pause. "Yes, I know." Pause. "Because it's to your benefit to hear me out - in person." Pause. "Yes, I know. I'll be there shortly."

Fired with energy and a plan, the ex-Emperor left the room without a backward thought, intent on getting to a specific place.

Fifth Bureau Headquarters
Constantinopolis Secundus

Yevlena Parnassia was a stunningly beautiful blonde woman. Her good looks led people who didn't know her to assume that she had reached her rank by using them.

They couldn't have been more wrong. While Parnassia had an active love life, her real professional asset was her ruthlessness. To put it bluntly, Yevlena Parnassia was a sociopath. A stunningly beautiful, well-adjusted sociopath and a brilliant actress who could easily feign caring and emotion, but a sociopath nonetheless. She truly cared about nothing and no-one other than herself, and had repeatedly killed her former lovers when they were inconvenient. After all, as the Madam Director of the Fifth Bureau, she had the power to hide the bodies so that they would never be found.

And now the deposed Emperor was calling her. No doubt, he was trying to enlist her in some crazy scheme to use his significant popular support to regain the throne or some such.

Well, she was willing to bite. She called her secretary on the intercom and said "Sophrenia, please cancel my eleven o'clock and my eleven-thirty." "Yes, Madam Director." "Also, Sophrenia - I am expecting a man to come here within fifteen minutes and request to see me. Show him through." "Yes, Madam Director." And, Sophrenia?" "Yes, Madam Director?"

"Curiosity killed the cat, Sophrenia."

"Yes, Madam Director."

Novoa Hadrianopolis
Twenty-four hours later.

"Are you sure it'll work, Yevlena?" The man, who did not appear to be the deposed Emperor (and had the papers to prove that he wasn't), sounded nervous.

"Stop with the wibbly-fits, Michael. It will work if you just keep your nerve. And you had better keep your nerve - it cost me significant effort to get your watchdogs off your back." The man visibly calmed down and took a deep breath.

"Right."

Novoa Hadrianopolis Military Command
Shortly thereafter

General Phodarkes was not happy with the political situation. Trust the Senate to remove the first strong Emperor we've had for generations. Now this mincing B5 catamite wants some of my time. Well, I'll give him some of my time.....and a boot up his backside, if he's not careful. In fact, it would not be an overstatement to say that Phodarkes was in a foul temper. His ADC's call shocked him out of his fog. "Sir? I-I have your one o'clock." For some reason, the Lieutenant seemed nervous, but then, the General thought, he often seemed nervous. Wimp.

"Let them in."

"Aye, Sir."

The pair who entered the office were not at all what Antonius Phodarkes was expecting. First came a woman he knew and despised - Yevlena Parnassia, whom Phodarkes privately considered an amoral bitch.

Following her, however, came a figure that the General knew well. The tall, lean, dark-haired figure was painfully familiar to almost every citizen of the Empire. And why should he not be? He was the Emperor, after all. Or he had been.

"Well, General? Does your Emperor no longer rate a salute?" The man asked sardonically.

"Majesty! I.....I.....General Antonius Phodarkes, reporting for duty, Sir!"

"At ease, General. We should all be friends in this. I mean to retake my crown. My ancestors took their Crowns by force - so shall I."

***
Saint Phocas' Square
Novoa Hadrianopolis

Michael Doukas-Palaiologos had lost none of his oratorical ability. The vast crowd, hastily organised, had been won over early on and now cheered in time with the final part of his speech.

"And I say, my people, that now is the time to strike! We must remove our beloved homeland from the grip of traitors and mealymouthed politicians! For too long, we have been huddled as sheep in the night. At long last, now is the time for forge the will of three billion people into a single, indivisible, invincible sword, and reclaim the lost glories of our history!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, the voices thundering a clarion call to arms.

***

Live broadcast over all frequencies
Empire-wide and available beyond.

The man was well-known - how could the ex-Emperor, who had been deposed so dramatically and recently, not be? Yet here he was, wearing the Imperial purple once more! The calm, reasonable tones of the address he gave were underscored by the martial music playing in the background, drumming peoples' emotions up.

"My fellow Romans", the address began, "I come to you, in the wake of recent events, to issue a call to reason. Let no person deny the perils of the world of today - whilst the Senate bickers, argues and leaves matters in committee, the tides of world conflict are turning against us, threatening to destroy our culture, our people, and all we hold dear!"

"We have all seen the corruption and ineffectiveness of the Senate. Many of us - too many dead - have witness firsthand the atrocities committed by lesser peoples. We must act now!"

"The ancient Republic is no more - the Senate, that last relic of bygone times, is hereby dissolved indefinitely. With war outside and traitors within, who will you turn to for protection?"

"The answer is simple: in unity lies strength. Already, many of the Army and Navy divisions have rallied to my banner. Out of the many, we - you and I together - shall forge an indivisible whole, acknowledging only a single throne! And from that throne, I shall watch over you and defend the land."

"From this day forward, let no Imperial citizen conspire against this new beginning for our people. Let no Roman consort with foreigners and their schemes, and to all the enemies of the Empire: Seek not to bar our path, for we shall win through, no matter the cost!"

<fades>

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"You're on in three minutes, Majesty."

"Thank you, Iohanna."

The tall, slim, dark-haired girl bore a startling resemblance to her oldest brother, although they had never been close. But for all that, this thing that I do.....it is close to kin-slaughter. She began to shake like a leaf, not certain if she could follow through with this. Another figure came up behind her, his fair-complexioned features appearing in the mirror in front of her. Of the five children of the late Emperor Constantine XIII, only his youngest son (ironically named Constantine, for his father), favoured their mother's sleek, blonde good looks.

"Having trouble, kiddo?"

"Oh, Constantine, I don't know if I can do this! He's our brother!"

The blonde man sighed. "I know, 'Reinie. But he's forgotten that, and until he remembers it," he paused for effect, "you can't let it stop you. Whenever you feel yourself weakening, remember all the innocent people he will kill if he wins." She thought for a moment, then straightened in her chair, clearly steeling herself for this. "Con, do this up, will you?"

"So! Having passed on the crown, all I am is Her Majesty's tiring-maid, is that so?" His voice had humour in it to match the lopsided smile in her mirror as he used the catch on the diamond necklace, and Eirena had to smile in response. "Damned straight, and let that be a lesson, varlet!"

He turned serious. "'Reenie, remember this: I will always be loyal to you. I wasn't made to rule. You are. Always remember that, never - never - doubt it." He then farewelled her for her address with a bone-crushing hug.

Eirena Sofiana Doukaina-Palaiologina, daughter of thirty generations of Emperors, straightened her posture, and strode to the newsroom, where the live cameras waited.

***

Transmission across all frequencies
Empire-wide, available beyond.

The tall, slim brunette was carefully controlled of posture. With none of the theatrical music her older brother had used in his address, she began speaking in a quiet but firm voice.

"Greetings to all who see or hear this message. You know who I am: I am Eirena Doukaina-Palaiologina, newly crowned Empress of Eastern Rome. I will not reiterate events of the past several days - you all know them for yourselves."

"It is tragic when kin strikes kin, as my brother is doing now. And how much more tragic can it be when we, as a nation, fall to petty squabbling over a line of succession? Have we learned nothing from our own tragic history? Have we forgotten these lessons, bought with the blood of our ancestors?"

"My brother was once a good ruler. He kept close to his heart a love of the land, of the people. He defended the Empire in times of war, and guided its prosperity in times of peace. And yet, he lost his way, deluded into thinking that all were his enemies, that he somehow had rights not granted to the Crown by the Constitution, that sacred document which forms the basic law of the Empire. He placed his good above the good of the Empire, and that is unforgivable in a ruler"

"Now, my brother is no longer a good ruler, or a good brother, or even a good man. Manipulated by the vile Yevlena Parnassia, he has become that which he once strove against: a man who abuses his charisma and his power over mens' hearts to his own personal gain. Further, he schemes to regain the throne, even though more than three-quarters of the Imperial Senate took the unprecedented step of impeachment to remove him from it. He raises forces against the legitimate government of the nation, and has decided to spill the blood of his fellow Romans, weakening the fabric of the Empire at a time that we must be strong."

"Michael Doukas-Palaiologos has become everything that any good Roman should shrink from following: A man who is obsessed with power, his heart filled with hatred, his every moment dedicated to making people suffer. I hereby declare that Michael Doukas-Palaiologos, once the Emperor of New Chalcedon, and all his followers, are traitors to the Crown."

"However, I will extend this offer to my brother and his partisans, misguided though they are: if they will put down their arms and swear loyalty to my Crown, then their lives shall be spared, and their titles, possessions and safety guaranteed."

"Should my brother not accept this offer within fourty-eight hours, it will expire. If he is captured after that point, our shared blood will no longer protect him, or his followers. Brother," - she looked directly at the camera, her dark eyes seeming to pierce the viewer's heart - "for the sake of the Empire, I ask you to accept reality...and my offer."

<fades>

(OC: Apologies to StarCraft for stealing their speech.)

Northern Rangerian Embassy
36 Imperial Avenue
Constantinopolis Secundus

The news came as a shock to the residents of the Northern Rangerian embassy, located at the very heart of the Empire's government. The ambassador himself had left moments earlier to visit Grand Admiral Notaras at the Imperial High Command, and was thus far beyond reach as telephone lines quickly clogged up with local traffic.

The commanding security officer, Lieutenant Arne Kalva, was already barking orders at his men. All fifteen of the embassy's security team were Jaegers, men trained to fight and defend the Principality's domain - which also included the embassy. Pistols and batons were handed out, protective vests and ceramite helmets donned despite some of the men grumbling about the lack of "proper fire power": as per protocol, the embassy did not carry assault rifles, but traditional knives were girded on each man's loins, ready to be pulled out if need be. The iron gates of the embassy remained open still, allowing for nationals to seek asylum.

Private quarters of the ambassadorial family

In the private apartment adjoined in the embassy, the ambassador's 18-year-old daughter Eva was already doing her part. Her father was still outside, but lieutenant Kalva had assured her that he would be contacted as soon as possible. Eva's prime concern, however, were her siblings. She had immediately asked his father's man-servant, Kaitane, to bring them home from school. Fear grew in her heart as she paced nervously in the living room; she had seen the deposed Emperor's speech on television, and she feared the deposed monarch's words would incite violence against foreigners - including the 14-year-old Erik and 7-year-old Jana, who had started school in Constantinopolis Secundus only that fall.

The Telviran embassy was on full alert. Telvira had suffered three civil wars in its history, and knew that the violence invariably spilled over onto foreigners. The embassy guards piled sandbags in front of the gates, but kept them open for anyone seeking asylum.

Constantinopolis Secundus

The streets were chaotic. The charismatic ex-Emperor's speech had fired all too many Imperial citizens into a patriotic frenzy, in which they attacked all perceived foreigners in their paths in an outburst of rage that had been too long denied by the former Emperor's once-moderate rule.

Eventually, in the Basil III Memorial Park, the violence reached a climax: a riot started between the Green and Blue factions of the Imperial Court, sweeping like wildfire through the capital's streets and threatening to engulf all in its path. The shouting was incoherent, with voices for Michael being equally matched by voices for his sister. No-one was safe unless they were in secure locations.

(OOC: NR, you get to pick how lucky Silander's children are.)

Basil III Memorial Park

Luck was not with Arvid Kaitane that day: the diplomatic plates of his car had caught the eye of rioters as he was swiftly driving towards the embassy, Erik and Jana sitting in the backseat. Erik was doing his best to keep his baby sister from looking out the window, the little girl terrified at the shouts and screams that were barely muffled by the dark-tinted windows. They would have made it past the crowd, if some lucky son of a bitch hadn't prepared a Molotov's coctail that crashed against the hood. Flames engulfed the hood and the front window, and in a moment of panic Kaitane had tried to pilot the vehicle through dancing flames, only to crash it into a building wall.

The forty-seven-year-old former soldier cursed silently, feeling the blood oozing from a cut on his forehead, but his instincts took up quickly.

"Jana, Erik, there's no time to lose. Out of the car, quickly!" he commanded the frightened girl and her brother.

"But the rioters..."

"NOT NOW, ERIK!" he barked at the boy's protestations and pulled out his side-arm. He hadn't thought the situation would grow so dire in mere moments, and he had not wanted to frighten the children, so instead of his combat gear he only had a jacket on top of his black kevlar vest.

The rioters were closing in, and quickly the former soldier stepped out of the car, helping the children down as well.

"Erik, help your sister", he commanded, making sure the fourteen-year-old boy was holding the crying child's hand tightly as they began to run, trying to get away from this hot spot.

Behind them, the car was getting the worst of the rioters' fury, the black Mercedes now a burning wreck of twisted metal.

Basil III Memorial Park

Some rioters were attempting merely to destroy the vehicle. Others attacked the doors, intending to reach in and destroy the foreigners as a 'lesson to the world'.

When they got the door open, they noticed that the car was empty, and some began to look for obvious foreigners.

Soon enough, someone spotted the small group of Rangerians, or more specifically Kaitaine's unusually-tailored suit jacket and pale skin.

Over a dozen rioters surged toward the fleeing Rangerians, just as a platoon of Varangian Guardsmen approached the park - luckily, from the Rangerians' direction. The sight of the legendary Imperial bodyguards was enough to take the heart out of the protesters' fury, and when an order came through the officer's megaphone instructing the crowd to disperse, most did - grudgingly. The human and mechanical wreckage left behind, however, testified to the violence that the former Emperor's speech had stirred up.

One of the Guardsmen spotted Kaitaine and the two children hanging back, and approached them. "I do not believe that you are Imperial citizens. Have you a hotel to go to, or would you like an escort to your nation's Embassy?" Whilst polite, his tone made it clear that "neither of the above" was not an acceptable response.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena noticed that her brother was no longer present after she finished her speech and got out of the formal get-up. She accosted her maid, with a peremptory "Where's His Highness?"

After a few minutes of confused inquiries, it had emerged that Prince Constantine had departed the Palace for the Bucoleon Harbour, the Imperial Navy's base that also served as the Imperial Family's secure marina.

By the time communication was established through the chaos, two facts had been established: Constantine had already left the marina heading southeast (directly toward the coast nearest Novoa Hadrianopolis), and the Imperial Navy's Home Fleet (already battling a revolt incited by Fifth Bureau sympathisers) had nothing to send after him.

Bump. Why is no-one interested in this thread?:(

Belgrade 0800 hours
Millitary Inteligence Brigade HQ


In the huge halls of the Intel. building,everyone seemed to be in a rush,Empire of New Chalcedon,honest and trusty allies of the Federation were in peril,both external and domestic threats were treatening them.
A young and tall man was standing in a white Naval uniform in front of Director's office,as Federal Intelligence Bureau and Military Inteligence Brigade were stationed in the same building.
Suddenly tough doors opened and a figure of a athletic soldier apeared in the dark corridor.

"Admiral Holtz we were expecting you" said the Army officer with a name on his uniform saying Brigadier Waupfhen.

"Federal Directorate is very nervous about the recent events Yuri,they are troubled by the Chalcedonian war.I'm here to inform you to gather all intel about the Factions in Chalcedon,as from what i have understood,the politicians aren't going to watch the dissolution of New Chalcedon.What i have heard from my friends in the Federal Guard,several Shock and Blitz divisions are currently preparing themselves to move out but thats all i know"

Looking at the floor Brigadier took a deep breath before he continiued speaking to the Admiral.Both of them were Federal Guard veterans having fought together in dozen major conflicts.

"Yes,it is disturbing,but i can't say much about that,but i have some bad news for you,i've heard that the Directorate is going to send quite large number of troops,including...again looking at the floor and the looking straight in Admirals eyes....Herman's battalion...Holtz you can't do anything"

"They expect me to send my son to that bloodbath?I must appeal for that,hes only nineteen.How could they even think to send 3rd Rifle battalion there,they have only finished their training"

"I dont know old friend,i don't know" said the Brigadier as he gave a friendly tap on his friends shoulder...Admiral just looking at his friend and moved out of the building in rush,he knew he couldn't do anythig to prevent his son's battalion going,and he wandered mindlessly through the Southern plaza located on the banks of Danube River....

____________________________________________________________

Encrypted message sent to the Empress Eirene


Decryption 10%
Decryption 39%
Decryption 69%
Decryption 89%
Decryption 100%

Encryption loaded....

From:Federal Ministry of Foreign affairs

Your majesty,
Federation will not leave Chalcedon in the grips of the warmongers and enemies,as your allies we are obliged to help ou in any way we can.
With your permission units of the Federal Guard and Varangius Foreign Legion will be sent to deal with the insurgency and to remove any threats to your lands and people,both domestic and foreign.
We feel sorry for Ex-Emperor and your brother,as we have respect for him but obviously his councilors failed him and drived him into mindless murder and slaughter.


Port Arthur 1200 hours
Naval Instalation 4310 Gama


Massive fleet was getting ready for deployment,rows of battleships and aircraft carriers were anchored in the huge harbor,a massive amount of men:sailors,soldiers,marines and airmen waited for final orders to move out.
AA batteries and SAM sites on the Walls and elevated points were pointed in the air,numerious Neva-Pechora systems also know as "The three fingers of Death" were scaning the skies above Port Arthur,as the large troop concentration proved to be a challenge to provide security.
Crowd cheered as the men went onto their APC's and tanks and waited for their orders.
The scene was set for the largest military deployment in the most recent Federal history.


[OOC]
I hope i fit in as a CIN member ^^

OOC: You certainly do, but I would rather not a *huge* force - if nothing else, it will tempt the two factions to unite against outsiders. Can you please post an OOB?

IC:

Empire of New Chalcedon, Eastern Provinces

The bloodshed spread rapidly - too rapidly for Michael's liking. He wanted things to be kept under control, not this indiscriminate slaughter. Yet it seemed that events had overtaken him. No sooner had he issued an order to calm one place down than a dozen others flared up in demonstrations of loyalty to his hated sister, and he was forced to wipe them from the face of the nation, with great regret.

He stood in front of the window in the Governor's Residence in Sirmium, contemplating the future. His followers had finally solidified their grip on most of the eastern provinces, although a few provinces had splintered and threatened independance; now was the time to raise and army and march on the capital, which by his reports was still in well-stoked chaos, thanks to Parnassia's work.

Kastamonu, New Chalcedon

This city on the southern coasts on the Empire had reason to be wary of civil war: the last such war involved the siege of this city as the final redoubt of the traitor Cyaxares Melepotas.

Yet, it seemed, the governing officials had learned no lessons. Shortly after midnight, four Senators arrived by closed train in the city, and began discussing matters with the provincial praesidius and strategos, who were resident here in the provincial capital of Optimaetion Province.

The next morning, a new flag was raised: the flag of the Republic of New Chalcedon.

Constantinopolis Secundus

The Empress' staff were generally satisfied with the situation. Despite the death of Andronikous Notaras, and the defection of several officers, the command chain of the capital's garrison was largely intact. This did not hold true throughout the entire Imperial Armed Forces, but even in those, there was a recognisable chain of command.

Further, the western provinces of the Empire had been brought swiftly under control - the lone Michaelian holdout was the city of Nova Ancyra, and reports indicated that that city would soon open its gates to Eirena's forces. From there, the news went less satisfactorily: the ex-Emperor had claimed equally swift control of the eastern provinces, although Eirena's forces had chased him out of Novoa Hadrianopolis with little bloodshed, and in the south, another Republican revolt had been sparked by the last four Republican Senators alive.

On top of this, various allies of the Empire were starting to get involved. Whilst Eirena didn't share her brother's recently-acquired xenophobia, she was certainly sensitive to the perception which could arise; namely, that she was a foreign puppet, which would drive even her most forgiving supporters right into Michael's arms. She sat behind her desk and began to draft a reply to Cukarica's offer, to be put through the Council and a copy given to the Senate.

***

From: Her Imperial and Serene Majesty, Eirena IV of New Chalcedon.
To: His Excellency, the President of Cukarica.
Re: Recent offers.

Your Excellency,

Permission is granted for Cukarica, as a friend and ally of the Empire, to send limited forces to uphold the legitimacy of Our throne. We must insist, however, that such forces - specifically, the naval aspect of such forces - not exceed the current Home Fleet detachment of the Imperial Navy, nor the land-based forces the current size of the garrison of Constantinopolis Secundus.

With many thanks for your understanding and assistance;

Eirena Sophia Doukaina-Palaiologina

Empress and Lady of New Chalcedon
Defender of the Realm.

(OOC: The forces she refers to, given the rebel desertions etc. are roughly equivalent to three carrier groups (naval) and (given that this is the capital of a 3 billion+ empire, after all) approximately 150,000 troops.)

((OOC: I'm interested, however would you mind if I limit my participation at the moment in this RP down to my state funded PMC, this is due to me having several RPs on the run, if it turns out my heavily armed and well equiped mercs arnt enough I can always send state troops))

OOC: Of course. Your involvement is yours to determine, WH.

IC:

Presentation Chamber
Mangana Palace

"And by virtue of your extreme courage, dedication and honour, the Grand Duchy of Volzgrad has determined that you, once their enemy, merit a high symbol of honour." The young Empress presented Admiral Isabella Banton with an ornate naval sword, and then continued.

"On the other hand, by virtue of your selfless service to and defense of your nation, even when your nation has been unworthy of this, We determine that a further reward is in order. Further, the final documented orderss of the late Grand Admiral Andronikous Notaras are to the effect that your resilience and clear sight are worthy of great disctinction. Kneel, Isabella Maria Banton, Admiral of the Imperial Navy."

The diminutive officer went to one knee before her sovereign. Eirena slowly drew the great Sword of Justinian from its scabbard. The fine, Damascened steel of the blade, still brilliant after so many years, flashed in the chandeliers' light as she laid the flat of the blade first on Banton's left shoulder, then her right, then withdrew and sheathed the blade.

"And rise again as Dame Isabella Banton, Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, Commanding Officer of the Home Fleet and Knight Companion of the Order of Saint Constantine the Founder." The monarch pinned a medal to the newly-minted Grand Admiral's tunic, and placed a sash over her right shoulder. The chamber erupted in cheers: Admiral Banton was well-liked among both her colleagues and the general populace, and her new assignment as Home Fleet's CO was not one that people would envy. Simultaneously, she had to fend off any rebel attacks, prevent further diversions and maintain enough strength to make sure that any 'allies' didn't see greater benefit from attacking the Empire than from allying with it.

OOC: My apologies, MA work is keeping me busy as hell... Also, out of curiosity, how strongly are the borders of the Empire watched right about now?

IC:

Northern Rangerian Embassy
Constantinopolis Secundus

Kaitane was not the kind of man to stir up any unwanted trouble, and he knew well enough to accept the Empire's faithful's offer to escort them back to the embassy.

The Jaegers kept a steady watch outside, hands on knife handles and pistol grips, ready to defend the embassy as the ambassadorial family finally gathered inside the walls once more. On the outside, the embassy seemed dead silent, the guards at ready, the iron gates closed to keep out the protesters that might come and pick a fight (after all, many New Chalcedonian soldiers had died in the Northern Rangerian rebellion, and the newly-found xenophobic rage seemed to make no distinction between enemy and ally). On the inside, however, Silander was in constant contact with the homeland, and soon an official statement was given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

By the Decree of the Prince Mikhail IV Halsar,
Adviced and Guided by the Faithful of the Principality,
On Behalf of the Nation and People of Northern Rangeria,

We, the Prince by the Grace of God and the elected officials of the People, recognize the Empress Eirena Sofiana Doukaina-Palaiologina and Her government as the lawful ruler of the Empire of New Chalcedon.

Noting, however, the friendship and loyalty shown to Our Nation and People by the deposed Emperor Michael Iastos Basilios Doukas-Palaiologos have been great in both extent and depth, and therefore offer our condolences for His present status. Furthermore, we urge Him to look inside Himself, and see the dark path he has set upon. A path, which we of Northern Rangeria have only recently walked: the path of brother against brother, a battle in which there is no victor, no glory to be gained.

May God and Saint Gid of the Greens bless and protect the Nation and People of New Chalcedon.

Still, declarations were all well and good, but nothing beated a personal touch. As such, Johannes Silander had already sent a missive to Mangana Palace, asking for an audience with the newly-crowned Empress, "to discuss the relationship between our two great nations, and the assistance the Principality is willing to provide in ending this destructive war", as he had put it.

OOC:
NC, have you figured out how to tie in my people with what is going on in this thread?

25 Imperial Avenue, Létatian embassy

Deputy Ambassador Julienne Suisse had never felt quite so alone. Of course her daughter was there, having just arrived at the embassy. And of course there were a few of the staff, those who had come with her before Madame Ambassador arrived, now crowded around the TV screen arguing over which channel had the best balance of tickers, talking heads, and infographics. And of course there were the guards, though she'd have been much happier if they had brought in Type-1 submachine guns to supplement their sidearms.

Since the ex-Emperor's announcement, Suisse had given the order to batten down the hatches at the embassy. She had lived through ten years of civil war in Létat, and knew the terrifying manner by which men and women of the noblest virtues transformed themselves into lethal death squads.

"Monsieur Thon," she said, turning to the chief of security, "call our liaison to the Empress - we need to know what the security situation is going to be for Madame Ambassador. As soon as I know, I'll see if I can't raise her on the satellite phone."

OOC: Wow, a lot of interest very quickly.

Shazbotdom, I thought it would tie in with Minister Terrance's presence in the capital right now. (Hint: even a busy Empress has time for a CIN Minister.)

NR, I fully understand. Life is rather chaotic for me too. Regarding the borders, it stands to reason on the one hand that they won't be carefully watched - most of the Empire's (considerable) forces are engaged in fratricidal violence. OTOH, there will be some who will perceive it as an opportunity to violate the Empire's sovereignty, and units that can't make up their minds who to support will probably patrol etc. as per normal, consoling themselves with the notion that they are doing something.

IC:

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

The harried young Empress was at her wits' end - now, Prince Constantine had gone missing, and she worried that he may do something foolish. Her brooding was interrupted by her aide informing her about multiple requests for her time.

"Yes, Marisa, inform Ambassador Silander that We are at his disposal. Also, inform the Chamber of Commerce that We will review the situation regarding Griffincrest, but not to get their hopes up."

"Yes, Milady." The aide withdrew.

"Oh, Marisa?"

"Milady?"

"I hope that minister Terrance wasn't hurt before he got back here? It would be terrible if he had, being a guest of hte Empire, suffered injury due to our civil unrest."

"I believe, Milady, that neither he nor his companions suffered injury beyond a few rocks thrown at their vehicle."

"Very good, Marisa." Eirena went back to brushing her hair, and Marisa Turner knew she was dismissed.

25 Imperial Avenue, Létatian embassy

The face on the other end of the vidscreen was taut but composed.

"Deputy-Ambassador Suisse, Ambasssador Clichy's aircraft is due a few hours. We have taken the liberty of diverting it to the Basil II Airport, which is the Imperial Family's private airport and quite secure, I assure you. Further, a detachment of the Varangian Guard will escort the Ambassador to the Mangana Palace to meet the Empress, and then to the Embassy to join you. In fact, we recommend that you accept our offer of escort to the airfield, so you may personally brief your superior about the situation, and reassure her of our sincerity."

***

Governor's Residence
Sirmium, New Chalcedon.

"Those ingrates!! I would have thought that, after being deposed by a fake popular revolt, that that idiot Halsar would at least have stopped to consider the situation. Instead, he runs straight into that little whore's arms!" The former Emperor's ranting was stopped suddenly by an alert from the perimeter guard.

"What is it?"

"We've found someone. He says that you'll want to speak to him, and says that this is so because the horse cannot come before the cart." Michael's face lit up. "Constantine! Send him here right away!"

A scant few minutes later, Prince Constantine Doukas-Palaiologos was escorted into his brother's presence. "Con, you stood by me after all! Yevlena was saying that you'd sided with that little bitch. But I'm glad she was wrong!"

The disheveled blond man returned his brother's hug, and said "Mikey, of course I stand by you. Didn't I renounce the Crown rather than take it from you? I jsut had to act the loyal lackey until I could get on my yacht and get out of C.S., that's all."

"Of course, brother. Forgive me, please, for ever having doubted you."

"I understand, brother."

FROM THE DESK OF HIS IMPERIAL AND SERENE MAJESTY, MICHAEL VI OF NEW CHALCEDON

To Whom It May Concern;

LET IT BE KNOWN that His Imperial and Royal Highness, Constantine Sebastos Doukas-Palaiologos, is hereby stated, by Imperial Decree, to be Our true and trusty Brother, and Our appointed Heir in case of tragedy.

FURTHER LET IT BE KNOWN that by Imperial Decree, the accursed name of the Principality of Northern Rangerian be hereby struck from the nations who have been the Empire's friends and allies. All Northern Rangerians are persona non grata, and to leave Our lands at once. We had held some faint expectation of Rangerian aid after all the blood that the Roman people had shed in their defense, but now We know better.

As to Michael Halsar's admonition, We have only this to say: He who does not oppose evil becomes its accomplice. The Senate has dared, as with Our late and lamented father, to attempt to steal that which is not theirs to receive, nor Ours to give - the sovereignty of the land, entrusted by God Himself. There can be no mercy for this crime, nor forgiveness for its abettors, including Our sister, the tyrant and pretender Eirena. We do not fight for glory. We do not fight for gain. We fight because to do any other thing would be to betray God and the Empire.

Given under Our Hand and Seal, this Sixteenth Day of April in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Nine,

Michael Iastos Basilios Doukas-Paliologos,
Emperor and Lord of New Chalcedon.

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5755/wolveriner.png

Dear Her Imperial and Serene Majesty, Eirena IV of New Chalcedon.

It has come to my attention of the crisis that has stricken your glorious nation. The Wolf Hold as a member of the CIN considers New Chalcedon a close ally and a friend. I must convey the 1st Wolf Marshalls apologies that he could not contact you himself, however he is currently unreachable. Also due to the unique nature of your conflict he must also refrain from deploying state troops for two reasons, the major one being that we simply have no troops to spare due to operational requirements and the smaller issue being that he doesn’t want to sour relations with the nature of Volzgrad. However Wolverine Defence Corporation receives equipment, funding and training from the Wolf Hold government so a friend of there’s is are friend of ours. We are willing to deploy infantry, armour, air support, naval assets are whatever you believe will be most beneficial to your cause.

Our personnel are as well trained, equipped and experienced as any soldier of a nations army. We are not like some of these low life PMCs that go around giving companies like us a bad name. So please get back in contact as soon as you can with your response, if you do confirm our deployment we can deploy within 72 hours.

Sincerely Michael Shorebanks
CEO of Wolverine Defence Corporation

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

The harried young Empress was at her wits' end - now, Prince Constantine had gone missing, and she worried that he may do something foolish. Her brooding was interrupted by her aide informing her about multiple requests for her time.

"Yes, Marisa, inform Ambassador Silander that We are at his disposal. Also, inform the Chamber of Commerce that We will review the situation regarding Griffincrest, but not to get their hopes up."

"Yes, Milady." The aide withdrew.

"Oh, Marisa?"

"Milady?"

"I hope that minister Terrance wasn't hurt before he got back here? It would be terrible if he had, being a guest of hte Empire, suffered injury due to our civil unrest."

"I believe, Milady, that neither he nor his companions suffered injury beyond a few rocks thrown at their vehicle."

"Very good, Marisa." Eirena went back to brushing her hair, and Marisa Turner knew she was dismissed.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus
Kennith quickly stroll into the building and then ordered his men to holster their weapons. As he made his way through the building he stopped at a desk with what looke dlike a frantic secretary. "Excuse me. May I know where the Empress is? I am Minister Kennith Terrance from the Shazbotdom Empire."

In the mean time, his men quickly went to the buildings security office and strolled in. "I'm Sergent at Arms Bill Jackson of the Shazbotdom Marine Corps. Do you require any help with securing the perimiter?"

The Principality of East Glacia hereby announces its support for the new Empress. We will offer a further hand militarily in the form of a company-sized detachment of advisers to help facilitate tactical superiority in your junior commanding officers.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

The Byzantine glory of the Mangana Palace never ceased to amaze ambassador Silander whenever he had the distinct pleasure of visiting the very beating heart of the Imperial government. Despite the sense of unease at dealing with the sibling rivalry/civil war, Silander had no doubts he was doing what was necessary, and as commanded by his liege. Northern Rangeria could not stand idly by in this conflict, and even though the deposing of the much-beloved Emperor had caused great grief among people he knew, Silander knew that he had to maintain good relations with the new monarch. Not only because of the promise he had made, but also because the lives of his countrymen in Constantinopolis Secundus were his responsibility.

Slowly he paced around, waiting, trying not to think of the echo of his military boots on the marble floor.


Sirmium, New Chalcedon

The streets of Sirmium had quieted down for the night. Barely a whisper could be heard on the open streets, as if the whole city itself was holding its breath so as not to provoke the ire of the deposed monarch.

However, there was someone who had apparently thought better to break curfew: a tall, broad-shouldered man in a black duster. He approached the gates of the Governor's Residence calmly, his hands in his pockets, a calm expression on his face as his boots tapped against the pavement. He did not even try to mask his presence from the guards, but approached them directly.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Naturally, since Silander had asked for an audience, Eirena was prepared for him upon his arrival, having made the intimate, but opulent, Receiving Room available to receive her guest - just as her brother had, on many occasions, received the Ambassador in the heyday of his glory. In fact, as the procession moved through the Palace, Silander could feel memories pulling at him constantly. As a friend and frequent visitor, he had been one of the few welcome in the Imperial Family's private life, and almost every hall had at hosted at least a few scenes of the young Emperor's family mishaps and dramas.

As Silander was escorted in, he saw that Eirena was just finishing some correspondence. As soon as she noticed him, she dismissed her aide, Marisa Turner, with a low-voiced "Wel'll finish this later, Marisa." The young woman left, curtsying to Ambassador Silander as she went past him.

"So, Johannes. What can I do for you?" Eirena looked almost lost in the gown dictated by protocol for a ruling Empress. Clearly, she had heard of her brother's defection, and it had hit her hard.

Elsewhere, Minister Terrance was being guided to the Empress' room, per the standing orders that a Cabinet-level official of any CIN member state was never to be kept waiting for the Empress' attention. His escort had been assured that the perimeter was quite secure.

Sirmium, New Chalcedon

The guards were not slack. Before the stranger had gotten to within sight of the Residence itself, he had been (politely) accosted by two guards, with another two visible watching the situation.

"In the name of the Emperor, I must insist that you identify yourself and state your purpose for being here." The grizzled veteran looked wary, but maintained a pleasant appearance.

From: Helena Draskovic, Secretary to the Crown.
To: His/Her Excellency, the President of East Glacia.
Re: Offer of troops.

Your Excellency,

Whilst your nation's offer of troops is appreciated, we do not feel that it is necessary. If you are looking for a way to help, might we suggest applying for an Embassy with the Empress' court, so as to demostrate faith on the part of the international community in her ability to handle the situation?

Regards,

Helena Draskovic
Secretary to the Crown.

From: Helena Draskovic, Secretary to the Crown.
To: Michael Shorebanks, CEO, Wolverine Defense Corporation.
Re: Offer of troops.

Mr. Shorebanks,

We have received your offer. Pending an agreement over pay and other renumeration, it is the pleasure of the Court to provisionally accept your offer. Be aware that what we need most are counterintelligence forces, as the bulk of the Fifth Bureau has sided with the ex-Emperor's bid to regain his throne. Please send a representative to the Mangana soonest to sort out the details. The Fifth Bureau loyalists are led by Director Simon Bukhas, who will co-ordinate with you if terms are met that are satisfactory all around.

Regards,

Helena Draskovic
Secretary to the Crown.

Sirmium, New Chalcedon

The man was young, by his appearance he looked no more than twenty-five years of age. He looked calmly at the guards around him, his hands pulling out from his pockets.

"I come bearing a message for His Highness", he spoke in Chalcedonian. "For his ears alone", he continued and flipped something towards one of the guards. The small object glittered in the moonlight, and the guard found himself holding a small piece of enamel, the shape of a stylized teardrop and painted scarlet red.

"He will know what it means", the man continued, turning his eyes away as if he had just discarded a piece of lint from his pocket.


Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Despite the friendliness of his welcome, Johannes Silander - now dressed in what appeared to be an old military dress uniform, pale grey with his rank in gold on his arms and shoulders - could not feel a twinge of guilt being there. He had learned of the deposed emperor's words, of his hatred towards his old allies, and he could not help but feel that their efforts would be in vain in this land, should Michael reclaim his throne.

Still, such matters were for the Prince to decide, not him.

"Were you still a princess of the Empire and I an ambassador in peacetime, I would be more than willing to answer that with a quip and a laugh, Your Majesty", he answered calmly, bowing his head once, in a soldier's stoic show of respect.

"Unfortunately, we don't have such luxuries anymore. I trust you have heard of your brother's declaration in response to our recognition of your government?"

OOC:
NC. Are you going to address the guards as your palace security personel? You forgot that part.

OOC: NR, I'm not godmodding - Parnassia is saying she caught him attempting sabotage. It's your call as to what he was actually doing. Also, I'm not sure exactly what the medallion meant, so I had Michael interpret it as meaning "It's over, our ex-friend."

Governor's Residence
Sirmiun, New Chalcedon

Michael saw the piece of enamel and metal in his palm. Suddenly, it meant so much more to him than it had before. Still, if that arrogant bastard wants to act like this.......so, we're done, are we? It can't be. I was intemperate....Andras was always lecturing me about that. It seems he was right. But I've done so much good, why would the Senate depose me?

His thoughts were interrupted by Yevlena Parnassia sweeping into his study, followed by two of her personnel carrying a limp body between them.

"What is this, Yevlena?" Michael's voice sounded as weary as he looked.

"I just received word that a Rangerian spy was caught attempting to disable the command centre's communications suite. Here's what's left of him." Parnassia looked like a cat who'd found the dish of cream, smug and hungry at the same time.

Fury seized Michael's mind, and any half-formed thoughts of reconciliation fled his red-tinged thoughts. So, that's the way that ingrate's going to paly it, is he? Two can play that game......

"Yevlena, I want him to be taught a lesson." Parnassia, for once, looked puzzled - the 'spy' was already dead - and Michael noticed. "Not him, you idiot! Activate our spies in Halsanki. Make Halsar pay for his treachery against me! I want blood, do you hear me, Parnassia? Blood!"

"Yes, Sir." Parnassia left the room, her goons following her, to prepare a covert ops plan.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena tensed as she sensed the formal tone of the meeting. "I have, Ambassador Silander. Rest assured, his incendiary attitude does not represent the opinion of the populace at large, or indeed that of my government."

Security office
Mangana Palace

"Sergeant, I think that your best option is to protect your Minister. If the ex-Emperor managed to get anyone into the Palace, he'd be the prime target - everyone knows how much we value our allies, and having a cabinet-level official die in our home would not be a good thing for our relations." The duty officer was tactful and honest in his concern, but the other implication was clearly And we don't even know who of ours we can trust, so how can we trust you, when we can't even trust our own?

OOC: Heh, I guess I was reaching with it... The man was a Blood Tear, one of the most pro-Royal people in Northern Rangeria from our old rebellion thread. Think of the Teutonic Order paired up with modern counter-intelligence.

Sirmiun, New Chalcedon

If Parnassia's men had studied the corpse and possessions of the killed man, they were able to discern very little about his identity. He carried no passport, no identity papers, not even a ring or watch engraved with initials. It seemed that his only possession had been the piece of enamel. The man's body, however, showed something quite disturbing: underneath his clothing he was heavily scarred, his body bearing the mark of a torturer's hand. Furthermore, he had been mutilated thoroughly, his genitals removed with what appeared to have been a serrated blade. Still, even those horrendous wounds had healed some time ago.

Halsanki,
Northern Rangeria

The capital city of the Principality of Northern Rangeria was a bustling hive these days. Following heavy fighting, naval and aerial bombardment during the Aho Rebellion, much of the city had suffered significant damages. Still, the people here were a heardy folk, and New Chalcedonian aid had helped in getting the rebuilding started. New apartment and office buildings were rising, wide boulevards cleared of rubble, coastal defenses upgraded and rebuilt.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"That knowledge warms my heart, Your Majesty", Silander answered, a touch of sympathetic smile rising on his lips when he noticed the young Empress tensing up. Poor girl... I hope she can cope with this burden, he thought to himself. "It has caused His Majesty's heart great pain to see his rage. I will not lie to you: should he have sought to regain the throne legally, we would have supported him."

These Northern Rangerians... always so blunt even when polite. Their position was understandable, though. When he was still Emperor, Michael had been a friend of the young Principality.

"His current course of action, however, has forced our hand: we cannot support an armed insurrection as the first and only course of action. The question is, then, what is it that you plan to do, Your Majesty? In regards to your brother, that is."

From: Helena Draskovic, Secretary to the Crown.
To: Michael Shorebanks, CEO, Wolverine Defense Corporation.
Re: Offer of troops.

Mr. Shorebanks,

We have received your offer. Pending an agreement over pay and other remuneration, it is the pleasure of the Court to provisionally accept your offer. Be aware that what we need most are counterintelligence forces, as the bulk of the Fifth Bureau has sided with the ex-Emperor's bid to regain his throne. Please send a representative to the Mangana soonest to sort out the details. The Fifth Bureau loyalists are led by Director Simon Bukhas, who will co-ordinate with you if terms are met that are satisfactory all around.

Regards,

Helena Draskovic
Secretary to the Crown.

From: Michael Shorebanks, CEO, Wolverine Defense Corporation.
To: Helena Draskovic, Secretary to the Crown.
Re: Offer of troops

Ms/Mrs Draskovic

We can work out a price later, for such good allys of The Wolf Hold we are more then willing to offer discounted prices, which can be paid after this conflict is decided. We are sending Mr Farrel alongside a small guard to sort out full terms and conditions. They will be traveling onboard a Albion Class Landing Platform Dock wich is also carrying a counter-inteligence package. Once the details are sorted out, our counter-inteligence can deploy as soon as possible and begin liasing with are Fith-Bueary Counterparts.

Sincerely Michael Shorebanks,
CEO of Wolverine Defence Corporation.

Sirmium, New Chalcedon.

Yevlena Parnassia was thinking busily. That one was too close - that little fool almost ended my power over the Emperor too soon. So, we'll have to plan something......spectacular, to dissuade the Rangerians from further antics. She smiled as an idea occured to her. Yes, that is what I shall do.

Halsanki, Northern Rangeria.

Alexandros Tastartis was no longer a spy for the Fifth Bureau, masquerading under the name of Pieter Moular. In exchange for forswearing his revealed loyalty, he had been permitted to remain in Northern Rangeria, by the side of his fiancee, Kati Renlund.

However, when he woke early one morning (as was his habit) and checked his emails, his heart sank. The Fifth Bureau was reactivating all of its agents, and had sent him a reactivation order, complete with a reminder that his parents were still in the Empire.

He sat at his computer, wondering what to do.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"My brothers, Ambassador." Eirena's tone stressed the plural. "I have just received word that Constantine has joined Michael in Sirmium." Looking almost defeated, she continued "They are my brothers, my blood-kin. But there is only one penalty for the crimes they have committed. I only hope that I can find the strength to carry it out."

From: Helena Draskovic, Secretary to the Crown.
To: Michael Shorebanks, CEO, Wolverine Defense Corporation.
Re: Offer of assistance.

Mr. Shorebanks,

We await Mr. Farrell's arrival with anticipation, and look forward to working out a deal with him.

Regards,

Helena Draskovic
Secretary to the Crown.

OPEN LETTER TO THE WORLD

By order of His Imperial Majesty, any who side with the faithless pretender Eirena Palaiologos-Doukas are hereby attainted, their lands and titles seized, their heirs disinherited.

Also, let it be known that His Imperial and Serene Majesty is hereby seeking assistance in the civil war. Any mercenary corporation that is considering work for the aforementioned pretender would be well advised to seek H.I.S.M. for an alternative offer - we are prepared to offer better payment than the pretender.

[signed]

Julian Marskovic
Secretary to the Crown.

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

There was a small knock on the door frame.

"Honey? Is something wrong?" Kati Renlund asked, looking at her fiance as she leaned against the door frame, a warm, plushy morning robe draped around her.

Like many of the former Republican soldiers who had deserted during the conflict, Kati had been pardoned as she had been following the orders of his superiors during the initial stages of the rebellion. Nonetheless, she had been put aside from active service, and was now in the reserves, working as a consultant in a private security company.

She did not approach Aleksandros, knowing full well there were some things he wished to keep for himself - and things she did not need to or even wanted to know.

"Is it bad news?" she asked, worry in her eyes as she stood there. The Halsanki newspapers had been following the New Chalcedonian situation with great interest, and Kati had done her best to keep her fiance from worrying. They had even contacted both the New Chalcedonian embassy in Halsanki to find out if Aleksandros's family was in danger. "From the Empire, I mean?"

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"I see", Silander nodded, sadness in his eyes. He shook his head slowly. "Then I assume you have little intention to seek a peaceful solution to this conflict? I have also heard news of this 'Republic'" - Silander spat out that word like it was a mouthful of rotten fruit - "that has risen, under the command of some disgruntled Senators. Pardon my tongue, Your Majesty, but can you be certain of the Senate's loyalty to your crown? After all, it is the Senate your elder brother seems most hateful of."

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

Alexandrous looked up at his beautiful fiancee - well, perhaps his judgement was biased. "Kati, I need to be on my own for a bit. It's news to do with my family." His eyes had the look of a man trying to choose between two fates.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena thought for a moment as she composed her reply. "Ambassador, I can be certain of the loyalty of the Senate. I have received from each party's leader their assurances of support, and the news I have received from Kastamonu suggests that it was only a handful of Senators." Abandoning the formal tone, she continued.

"And I can't let myself see treason in the eyes of every person who disagrees with me, or else I'll end up like Michael. I can't do that. I can't. Don't you understand, Johannes? It would make everything Michael has done mean nothing. Nothing will change except the names involved. I won't have that, Johannes. If people are going to die, then they will die. But I want their deaths to mean something. I want this land to be better for them."

"And about Michael, I know that Rangeria owes him a debt. I...wish I could honour it. I wish I could let him go. But I can't. So long as he's alive, there will be people who will be willing to follow him in rebellion - he's that charismatic. For the sake of the Empire's future safety, Michael must die. And God help me, I have to give the order."

"Michael was right. What sane person would ever want this job? I have to let slimy bastards like that Marcello stay in positions of power, and pronounce sentence instead on my own brothers." With this, her last reserve broke down, and she started weeping into her hands.

Novoa Hadrianopolis
Constantinopolis Secundus

The city had been retaken by loyalist forces, but the ex-Emperor's name still rang strong here. In the great Cathedral of Divine Peace, candles by the thousands were lit to symbolise prayers that the ex-Emperor would put down his arms, or that the Empress would abdicate in his favour - only the people making the votive offerings knew which.

This was disturbed by the sounds of gunfire in the east - the rebel forces had reached the outskirts of the Empire's second city.

OOC: NC I've no idea if your capital has a port, so sorry for the generic post

Dawn of Might

The Albion-Class LPD was sitting of the shore of the main port of New Chalcedon. Its deck was a hive of activity as mercenaries began making final preparations for landings. Alongside the promised counter-intelligence forces, there was also three ARAR (Advanced Recon and Response) Units as well as a HRU (Heavy Response Unit). These were to provide quick support in case of a break through in New Chalcedon’s lines. On the main landing pad a AH-60 Attackhawk was spooling up its rotors, boarding the Attackhawk were eight of Wolverines Ghost Recon mercenaries and Mr Farrell who contrasted in his black business suit to the eight Ghost Recon mercenaries in there urban camouflage uniforms and integrated warfighter systems.

Meanwhile in the CIC of the Dawn of Might, Leftenant Colonel Andropov sent out a message to the New Chalcedon forces in the area. "This is the Dawn of Might to any New Chalcedon forces in the area. We have the representative from Wolverine Defence Corporation, we need co-ordinates for him to meet with the appropriate people"

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

"Oh, Alex...", Kati whispered, her eyes filled with compassion. Without waiting for permission she walked across the room and sat down in her fiance's lap, facing him. She did not even try to look at the monitor, her attention and eyes focused on the man before her.

"I understand, love", she whispered and leaned closer, pressing a tender kiss on Alexandros's lips, her arms around his neck. "Just promise me you won't keep this all locked away inside you, okay? I want to be there for you", she continued, looking deep into the former spy's eyes, pressing her body close to his. On another occasion that would have been an invitation for more intimate pleasures, but now it was a tender embrace of a loving woman.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

For a moment Johannes Silander did not know what to do, after the Empress's heartfelt words and now seeing her break in tears. He considered himself a decent judge of character, and to his ears and eyes she was sincere.

For a brief moment he fought with himself, before he took his chance. Lese-majesty or not, he stepped closer and gently placed his hand on the young Empress's shoulder, like a father or uncle would.

"I understand, Your Ma... Eirena", he whispered, compassion returning in his voice. If he wasn't unsure whether or not he already had a sharpshooter or two aiming at his back, he would have even embraced the young woman. "It is painful for us, too. His Majesty always spoke fondly of your brother, and I considered him a fine man myself. Until... this. All of this."

Silander sighed and reached in his coat pocket, producing a neatly-packed handkerchief to the Empress. "Here, you best use this. In case someone comes in and thinks I'm trying to assassinate you or something. It wouldn't fit you to appear crying, not yet. Your Empire needs an Empress now; later you can be a person again."

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

A voice came in over the frequency that the WDC vessel had used.

"WDC vessel Dawn of Might, this is Grand Admiral Isabella Banton, CO of Home Fleet. Your request of passage has been granted. Send your away team to the Bucoleon Harbour, where it will be greeted by a delegation from the Mangana and escorted to meet the Empress. Banton out."

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

Alexandros looked into his fiancee's eyes, and saw there only the love and sympathy that he had hoped for, not the pity that he had dreaded. He thanked her with his eyes before speaking.

"I.....I need to decide what to do, and I was a fool to try to do it on my own. Read the email, Kati. And help me decide."

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena managed a tremulous smile as she dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief.

"Thank you, Johannes. I just didn't think that Con would leave me after he promised to be loyal. And now he's with Michael, and I don't know - "

Her words were interrupted by a chime from the deskcomp - a signal was coming in over the family's private frequency. Eirena logged in to the computer, and saw only nine words, which Silander could also see.

"Remember, little sister - I will never change my mind."

The message was unsigned.

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

Kati smiled and kissed her fiance once more before she turned in his lap, snuggling close to the man's warm body. She guided his arms around her, in a gesture of trust. During this past months Alexandros Tastartis had come to bless the cold winter: even though brownouts had sometimes cut the heating in their apartment block, it had only meant that Kati had dug closer to him in bed, snuggling against him as she did now.

She idly caressed his hands as she read, her expression turning from a smile to a worried frown. She bit her lip a little and turned to look at the man she had come to love and cherish.

For the first time, he could see fear in Kati's eyes.

"Who is asking this of you?" she whispered, her back pressing closer to Alexandros's chest, as if she was afraid he might push her away any second now. "The Empress? Or the Emperor?"

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Silander frowned deeply when he read the message. He took a step back from the young Empress.

"A threat from Michael?" he asked, immediately thinking the message to be from the rogue Emperor, some kind of a threat on the newly-crowned "usurper's" life? "Or something else, if I may ask?"

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

A voice came in over the frequency that the WDC vessel had used.

"WDC vessel Dawn of Might, this is Grand Admiral Isabella Banton, CO of Home Fleet. Your request of passage has been granted. Send your away team to the Bucoleon Harbour, where it will be greeted by a delegation from the Mangana and escorted to meet the Empress. Banton out."



Dawn of Might

"Confirmed Grand Admiral Banton, Mr Farrell is en-route on board an AH-60 Attackhawk, we are transmitting IFF data now. We also ask is there an available berth to anchor our LPD so we can ease in of loading troops and equipment with ease if the deal is signed. Dawn of Might out"

Meanwhile on the landing platform, the AH-60 was just lifting off. Onboard were eight of the elite 'Ghost' Special force Mercenaries. Only four of the were designated guards for Mr Farrell, the other four were merely there to act as guards for the AH-60. The helicopter turned towards the given location at Bucoleon Harbour. Onboard Mr Farrell was discussing possible plans for the deployment with his military advisor, one of the 'Ghosts', Major Ramierez. Mr Farrells prime concern was that he didn't want to cause the situation to increase in scope however Ramierez thought an escalation could be beneficial. "I believe the unit we have on scene quite suitable Major, they are well equipped and well armed to respond to any threat. Also don't forget that we are supposed to be here to assist in counter-intelligence mainly, not ground ops."

" I know that but think of the fees we could charge if this conflict escalated. We could earn a lot more too if we weren’t offering discounts. No offence to the higher ups but I though we worked for profit not friendship and allies"

"Ah, but we do Ramierez, you get your training, weaponry and equipment from The Wolf Hold Government, so we naturally have to be friends with their friends. Now button it and lets be diplomatic, look we are here."

"Time flies when you are having fun" Ramierez said sarcastically as the AH-60 touched down at the designated location, Mr Farrel, Major Ramierez and three other 'Ghosts' disembarked and moved clear of the rotor blades, Ramierez turned back towards the helicopter and signalled the pilot to take off. As the pilot nodded and the helicopter began to lift off Ramierez and Farrell began looking around for the welcoming party.

OOC:
I need to think through what I want to say for my next post. Didn't sleep well last night. I'll get back to you tomarrow with a post.

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

She needn't have feared - Alexandrous clung to her as a drowning man to what keeps him afloat, even as he gave a short, bitter laugh.

"Ha! Neither. It's that scheming bitch, Parnassia. I should have left the Bureau the moment she became the Director after old Kostakanides retired. But she' on Michael's behalf, which leaves me with more problems, and you too."

Despite the terror for his loved ones that Kati could see in his eyes, he continued analytically: "So. Our problems, in order. First, and most obvious: She may or may nor hold my parents - I doubt that she's gone to the effort - but she certainly knows where they are and how to hurt them. Second: We, you and I, owe both the Empire and the Principality too much to simply do the expedient thing. Third: I strongly doubt that I'm the only agent on this mission - blowing up the largest dam in Rangeria is not a one-man job - so what do we do? Sitting this one out is not an option."

"As I see it, our options are as follows. First, betray the Emperor by alerting the authorities. There's no way to keep that secret, and my parents will almost certainly pay the price. And, yes, they will - you don't know how ruthless the Imperial court can be when someone wants something."

"Second, betray the Principality by helping this happen, or by doing nothing. Not an option. Besides the misery of losing the dam and its hydroelectric power facility, thousands may die when it blows. And I owe the Principality, just as we both owe the Empire. Third: We go and attempt to stop them ourselves. Possible, but difficult. B5 agents aren't typically given regular military training, and if we succeed, the Bureau will never know who did it."

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena thought for a moment. "I think.....I think it's from Constantine. Before he left, he told me to never doubt him. But what is he doing?"

Golden Horn
Constantinopolis Secundus

Aboard her new flagship, Banton was amused by the request.

"Dawn of Might, this is Admiral Banton. As you may or may not have been told, Constantinopolis Secundus is the busiest port in New Chalcedon. I think we can find somewhere for you."

Bucoleon Harbour
Constantinopolis Secundus

A delegation was waiting for the helicopter as it touched down at one of the helicopter pads bordering the large harbour, headed by a woman. When Farrell and his comapnions debarked, she strode forward to meet them.

"Mr. Farrell, I presume? My name is Elizabeth Draskovic, and I am pleased to meet you. If you will please follow us, our transportation to the Mangana is this way."

As the vehicle started toward the beating heart of Imperial power, the magnificence of the city - sadly tarnished by the recent riots - became apparent in dramatic fashion, culminating with the solid bulk and soaring marble towers of the Mangana Palace.

(OOC: NC, want me to throw your way some possible targets for sabotage and/or assassination? The power plant idea is a perfect fit; though ;) )

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

Kati blinked a few times, looking Alexandrous deep into his eyes. Even if she lived to be an old lady of a hundred years, she could never understand how he could be so cool and analytical even in a situation like this.

"Sometimes, love, you make me think you have ice water in your veins", she whispered and twisted a little in his lap, burying her face for a moment in his neck, biting him kittenishly. It seemed to soothe her, breathing his scent and just holding him for a moment before she lifted her eyes to his again.

"Is there no way you could warn your parents, tell them to make themselves scarce? Or anyone we could go for assistance?" she asked, her hand petting the back of Alexandrous's neck slowly. "And what do you think the two of us could do? That you play along with their plans until... what?"

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Silander smiled wryly. "It seems like there's two possibilities: either he's trying to lull you into a false sense of security by telling you he's still loyal to you... or - God forbid - he actually is", he laughed. "But what is he thinking he could accomplish? Surely Michael would be suspicious of him, seeing how he just proved himself a turncoat by jumping to Michael's side."

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

Alexandrous tensed as Kati started nibbling. "Stop distracting me, love. I need to think right now, and you're not making that easy at all." After she stopped, he continued, "And I can't get help from within the Empire. Anyone I could approach hasn't the power in all this chaos to help, and anyone who could help, I can't trust."

His eyes hooded, he thought a moment until, "That's it, Kati! You're a genius! We'll play along with them - you and I - I'll tell them you're a local recruit. And then, when they have us integrated, we kill them all. Perhaps with the assistance of the authorities."

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Silander's humor won a smile from his hostess, although it was clearly strained. "Con was always....reckless. If he's still with me, then he probably hopes to capture Michael or something. And Michael's just blind enough to let him. He never caught on to the 'trust but verify' concept - he either trusts, or he doesn't. It's why he antagonised the Senate so often."

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

For the first time that morning, Kati actually laughed as she maneuvered herself better on her fiance's lap, turning to face him again, her arms around his neck.

"A local recruit, eh?" she purred, a familiar flicker of light reappearing in her eyes. "Does that mean we'll be going into this mess with military rules? That we're not together, but a recruit and a superior officer... sir?"

She whispered the last word with a deep, sultry purr in Alexandrous's ear, looking him deep in the eyes.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"That would also explains why he has condemned my countrymen. I just pray to Saint Gid that they manage to escape his territory before it's too late", Silander answered, a touch of sadness appearing in his eyes and voice.

"In any case... You can count on my silence about the matter. My Chalcedonian has never been as good as it should", he then continued, a smile touching his lips.

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

Alexandrous' voice was a deep growl. "Fortunately, we aren't under military discipline in the Fifth Bureau, recruit. Which means we can fraternise all we want." The last with a distinct leer, then he shifted her off his lap and fled to the bedroom before she could exact revenge for the pinch he had just wickedly bestowed upon her.

***

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"We'll do everything we can to help them, Johannes. You have my word on that. But I seem to recall a specific purpose to your visit, other than getting caught up in my family's bickering."

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

"Good. But you best remember that you 'fraternise' only with me, buster. Or else I'm going to... OW!" Kati purred, her threat cut short with the pinch.

"Coward! Get back here and take your beating like a man!" she called, laughing as she ran after her fiance, deciding that she'd have him focus on something else at least for a moment longer.

The e-mail would go nowhere...

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Silander nodded. "Well, yes... The government has already recognized your rule, even though it came with a heavy price. And while the present situation of Northern Rangeria is still unfavourable for sending in troops, the Prince has authorized me to offer the full co-operation of the Defence Forces in logistics and humanitarian aid."

"As you may know... the Prince does not wish to throw the army into a foreign conflict at its present condition. Aho's Rebellion lead to us losing many career officers, either through self-imposed exile, imprisonment or dishonorable release."

Dawn of Might
Constantinopolis Secundus

Andropov could hear the laughter in the admirals voice, "Well its been a long day, so I'm sorry for forgetting. Now is it possible to dock I need to take on some extra food supplies, which we will pay for of course."

Bucoleon Harbour
Constantinopolis Secundus

"Yes, I am Mr Farrell, nice to meet you too. Lead on then, I wish to get our deal sorted as quickly as possible" Climbing inside the vehicles, Farrell marvelled at the architecture of the city, he was stunned by the marvel that was the Mangana Palace, he was used to structures of such size having visited the Fang several times, however whilst the Fang was a building of military might this palace was defiantly much more of a sight. Ramierez who was sitting next to him, was indifferent he had seen action all over the world and had seen similar regimes fall due to their opulence, to him it was just another pay check.

General OOC: I have given a vague map, edited on hte first post. Obviously, Constantinopolis Secundus is Constantinople.

Halsanki
Northern Rangeria

Later in the day, Alexandrous and his fiancee started planning the Fifth Bureau's comeuppance. The dam operation was to launch in two days, and the last real question was when to call in the authorities.

OOC: NR, we need to handle this carefully. I suggest that you take a couple of hours to determine what security the dam will have (and what they can call on from local authorities), and how they'll react to a variety of scenarios. From what I know of your country, the dam's probably in Northlands somewhere, which means that Alexandrous and Kati need to get moving soon to make the RV. I also need to determine what kind of team is on the mission, what resources they have and what attitudes they have also.

Imperial supercarrier Imperator
Golden Horn Harbour, Constantinopolis Secundus.

Banton responed cordially. "Of course, Lt.-Col Andropov - the details will be handled by the shore base's personnel. Additionally, I trust that I can expect you and your ranking officers aboard the Imperator for dinner? The Home Fleet needs to conduct maneuvers this evening in preparation for assaulting Thessalonica, and I'd like an outsider's view of our professional conduct and formation-combat abilities. Expect to stay late if you come along."

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena's face brightened as she thought of something the Rangerians could do without getting directly involved. "I have just the idea, Johannes. Could Northern Rangeria see to the treatment of POWs of this war? It would ease the strain of our logistics, and assure the partisans on both sides that their captives are being treated honourably."

Meanwhile, Mr. Farrell and his party were being shown down the hallway to the Empress' study. A moment later, he was announced by their escort: "Mr. Farrell of the Wolverine Defense Corporation, and his colleague Major Ramire, also of the Wolverine Defense Corporation. They crave a moment of your time, Basilissa."

Eastern outskirts of Novoa Hadrianopolis,
New Chalcedon.

Antonius Phodarkes was a happy man. At long last, he was at war again, masterminding battles for his Emperor and Empire. And if he did say so himself, he was doing a damn fine job, too. Novoa Hadrianopolis would fall within twenty-four hours, despite the ferocious resistance the loyalist troops were putting up. Unsurprising, really, considering that he had been the garrison commander for almost ten years, and knew the enormous city inside-out.

But things promised to get harder, and soon. The Emperor's forces had picked off the last of the easy targets - Hadrainopolis was the last. And now the hastily-constitued Imperial General Staff had to decide whether to strike boldly for the capital, or to consolidate themselves in the eastern half of the Empire.

Dawn of Might
Waters near Constantinopolis Secundus

The food served on the Imperator would probably make a change from the food they served on the Dawn so Andropov agreed, "Of course Grand Admiral, it would be an honour to attend. Myself and the rest of the command echelon would also be happy to observe your manuvers. Also did you say you had a berth for us?"

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Mr Farrell hurried along the halls of the palace following their guide. Major Ramirez and the other three 'Ghosts' seemed out of place in their integrated warfighter systems amongst the grandeur of the palace. As they were announced Mr Farrell walked into the room along with Major Ramirez, the other three 'Ghosts' hung back at the edge of the room.

"Empress Palaiologina, It is an honour to meet you, as already said, I am Mr Farrell, head of foreign business and this is Major Ramirez, commander of one of are elite units and my military advisor" As Mr Farrell bowed slightly, Ramirez and the other three 'Ghosts' snapped a salute.

OOC: Roger that, NC, I'll give it some thought.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"Hmm... I'll have to throw that question to His Majesty and the Ministry of Defence. But I am inclined to believe they will have no objections to such a plan. However, they will need some reassurances that the interrogation of prisoners complies with international agreements", Silander answered, smiling wryly. "Pardon my tongue for such insolence, Eirena, but your countrymen do have a reputation of finding a loophole in any kind of agreement - not to mention being quite ferocious to any opposition. My children were caught in such a situation earlier today."

Imperial Supercarrier Imperator
Golden Horn, Constantinopolis Secundus.

"Certainly, Lt. Col Andropov. Your berths will be ready for you. I'll expect you later this evening."

(OOC: WH, can we skip this part - the naval excercises - to the evening, when Andropov will be received aboard the Imperator? I ask because the negotiations at the Mangana are likely to take several posts.)

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"What's to be pardoned, Johannes? Frankly, this entire crisis has exposed a side of my people that I find it hard to sympathise with. However, I think that all interrogations can be conducted in Rangerian territory, under Rangerian supervision. We trust our allies not to be overly-obstructionist, and you have a clearer view of the human rights dimension than we are likely to at the moment."

The guard at the door politely coughed for Eirena's attention. "Mr. Farrell is here, Basilissa."

"Very well. You'll have to excuse me, Johannes. Or perhaps you'd like to stay, or maybe join Mr. Farrell and I for dinner?"

Turning to Farrell, she introduced herself. "Good day, Mr. Farrell. My name is Eirena Doukas-Palaiologos, and I apologise for keeping you waiting. I believe that there is an agreement to negotiate? I assure you, you'll not find the riches of the Empire, or our gratitude, wanting." She said this last with a causal wave around the opulent recieving room, which also featured many odds and ends of cutting-edge technology, mostly in the form of viewer screens, light-crystals and smart, colour-altering fabrics.

Bump.

((OOC: I'll try my hardest to get an IC post up tommorow, although revsion is killing me))

((OOC: It seems we're all being slowly killed by RL responsibilities. Anyhoo, here's something for your enjoyment))

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Johannes barked a laughter at the Empress's words. "You best be careful, Eirena. I'm sure there's someone who works for you who'll be disappointed if you don't allow them to get started with waterboarding and sodium penthotal. As for your invitation... I would be glad to attend, if my presence will not mind you."

OOC: Bumped for Wolf Hold and Shazbotdom.

OOC:
Sorry for not posting. I'm in the middle of redoing my hard drive as my old 80gb one went bad and I am installing everything from scratch onto my new 500gb one. I'll try to get something posted tonight, if not then I should have a post up tomarrow.

OOC: Hey, at least you now have a brand spanking-new 500Gb HD, right?

Always look on the bright side of life! *whistles to tune from Monty Python and the Life of Brian*

I'm officially giving up on this thread.

Can those who were participating (if they check) please TG me and inform me just what exactly about my style was so bad that they felt the need to abandon the thread?

OOC:
I didn't abandon it. I'm almost done with a bunch of crap here. I'm still trying to get my DVD Burning software installed but that can wait. I just need to buy a CD Cleaner to use on the disk. I can get a post up a little later today after I clean out the horse, rabbit and pig pens respectively. One of the...perks...of living on a farm.

OOC: Sorry about forgetting about this, It had nothing to do with you, exams are coming up so and this is one of threads I must of forgot.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Mr Farrell admired the mix of imperial majesty and technology, it fascinated him. Major Ramirez just stood there, indifferent as always. However Mr Farrell was there to do a job and by god he would do it. Smiling at the empress he pulled out two files with the Wolverine Defence Corporation logo on the front. Offering one to the empress, "this file contains all the details of are standard operating procedure, our rules of engagements and along with many other things the forces we have detached from the operational groups to assist you in this theatre. All the forces listed are up for offer, you may use any and all of them if you wish, or non at all. This is jus the quick version, with such a crisis developing I thought it best if I brought a range of troops with me and not just the counter-intelligence package you requested."

The unit list inside the folder read:

Counter Intelligence Package
150 Personnel
12 Ghost Recon Operators
2 Radio Intercept Trucks (articulate lorries)
4 Radio Intercept Vans
1 Hacking/Decryption Truck (articulate lorry)
2 RG32Ms
1 MH-60 Blackhawk
4 OH-58 Scout Helicopters

Counter Insurgency/ Special Operations Force
500 Ghost Recon Operators
1000 Red Beret Commandos
20 MH-6 Littlebirds
5 AH-6 Attack Birds
20 LIFV-2070s (Multiple Variants)
50 Open topped HUMMVEEs (Multiple Variants)

Heavy Response Force
50 LY4A2 Main Battle Tanks
100 LY4A1 Main Battle Tanks
50 Mobile Land Wolf Anti Air Systems
20 AS-90 155mm Self Propelled Howitzers

Close Air Support Force
20 Harrier GR9s
10 WAH-64 Apache Longbows
15 AH-1Z Super Cobras
5 AH-60 Attack Hawks

Fleet Support Group
1 Modified Albion Class LPD
2 Wasp Class Assault Ships
1 Invincible Class Carrier
6 Type 23 Frigates

IC:
Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus
Kennith gentally knocked on the chamber doors of the Empress and waited for her reply. In the mean time his guards rejoined him and they were keeping a watchful eye on the surrounding area to ensure the saftey of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.



SECRET IC:
SCENE: Imperial Palace; Shaz City, Shazbotdom
Larry was frantic. How could a man put a member of the Imperial Cabinet in such danger? Why would the former Emperor of an ally of the Empire make such a snide comment about their allies that would bring about a civil war? He called an emergency meeting of the Imperial Cabinet members earlier that day to discuss what could be done to remidy this situation. The discussion was pointless with the remaining Ministers as they wanted to do a full military action in favor of the current, and legal, leadership of New Chalcedon.

Larry on the other hand didn't want to screw up the CIN in the process of deploying the Marine Corps into a hostile, but allied, zone. This was one of the worst decisions that he could make and he wanted to make sure that nothing threatened the stability of not only the Shazbotdom Empire, but also the Commonwealth of Independant Nations.

OOC: My apologies for my earlier outburst, people. I'm just stressed over my own end-of-semester issues at the moment, and being (literally) at the opposite end of the world from all my friends and family isn't doing wonders for my emotional state, either. It shouldn't happen again.

IC:

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

As a Cabinet-level official representing a fellow CIN member, Minister Terrance was immediately admitted to the office, just as Eirena was perusing a folder that had been handed to her.

She turned to the doorway to acknowledge Terrance and invite him in, then turned her attention back to Mr. Farrell.

"Mr. Farrell, you appear to have done an excellent job of anticipating our needs. As far the regular military forces go, I suggest this: rather than having two unfamiliar forces work with each other, I will entrust the security of a province, probably Dyrrachion, to the WDC, pulling out the loyalist troops to reinforce my lines elsewhere. Although I would, of course, leave behind guides, local liaisons and the facilities for your people to utilise."

"As far as the c-int side of it goes, I suggest that you immediately put it to use here in the capital. Despite Director Bukhas' best efforts, the majority of the Fifth Bureau sided with Parnassia, and they still have the ability to wreak havoc here in my capital. Every soldier they divert is one who can't resist Michael's forces. Additionally, the Imperial Air Force - those parts of it under my control - will be directed to give all support to your teams wherever possible."

"Now, to price. We are fully aware of the WDC's reputation, and in consequence, are prepared to pay approximately fourty percent higher prices than another, similarly-equipped force would expect to be paid. We therefore offer, for the use of the forces you suggested, four million Denarii per day of operations, plus a lump sum of two hundred million Denarii, to be paid upon the conclusion of this civil war. Perhaps you could think about it for a moment, whilst I take this opportunity to welcome Minister Terrance to Constantinopolis Secundus."

"Minister, my apologies for the behaviour of my brother. I assure you, his views do not reflect the attitudes of our entire society. As far as that business with Griffincrest, I'm afraid that it's been laid by the wayside, at least for now - a civil war is not the time or place to discuss corporate tarriffs and regulations."

OOC: No apologies necessary, NC. I know how you feel. I'm stuck with my MA Thesis writing, so you're not alone when it comes to academic issues. As for being on the other side of the world... well, being abroad when a crisis hits your homeland was one of the experiences I don't miss.

IC:

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Johannes Silander listened in on the conversation, standing calmly near Eirena as if offering moral support to the young and newly-crowned empress. He watched the delegates who had just arrived, while he contemplated in his mind about the realities of the operation ahead. He would have to contact Halsanki and talk with the Prince and His Ministers, to organize the matters on this end. They would have to organize the transportation of POWs smoothly and efficiently, but also so that there would be no quarrels with the international community. Airlift would probably be the most expedient solution, and the Rebellion-time POW camps should be easily re-opened.

15km east of Oulo
Northlands Province
Northern Rangeria

"Ouch!" Kati yelped as she suddenly jumped up, swatting the side of her neck. "Goddamn mosquitoes...", she muttered to herself as she looked around.

She and Alexandrous had left Halsanki the previous night, and a long night's drive had brought them here, only somewhat deeper north and east from where their last "road trip" had ended. And despite the fact that Alexandrous had left her waiting by their rented car here in the middle of nowhere, she felt at ease.

Despite even the fact that as a former Rebel she should be reporting to her parole officer in a matter of days...

And despite the fact that they had taken every precaution to cover their tracks...

Perhaps it was because of the scenery. Despite the cool air, Northlands were beautiful this time of the year. Towards the north rose the smooth, rounded mountain tops of the Northlands Mountains, that would turn into the jagged peaks of Border Mountains near the Greater Rangerian border. Of course, that was still a long way away...

Kati broke her eyes away from the scenery, from the heathers around her, and looked at her clock. Where the hell was he?

15km east of Oulo
Northlands Province
Northern Rangeria

The voice was rough, gravelly, and it spoke Rangerian with a pronounced accent.

"Pretty, pretty.....I can see why Striker broke cover for you. He send me to fetch you, little pretty." The rough address was followed by a chortle. Clearly, the man hadn't been hired by the Fifth Bureau for his manners. As he emerged from the cover, it was painfully obvious why he had been hired - despite his enormous size, he had managed to move in near-total silence through the undergrowth. And he carried at least a half-dozen weapons.

"Come, pretty. This way. Your little elinas be waiting for you, he say, at...how you say? Fourth meeting point. So, Pretty. You tell me - which way is that? You, how they say......? Lead the way, yes?"

Clearly, it was a test. Or just an opportunity for the thug to get Kati ahead of him.

(OOC: Yes, the two of them worked out half a dozen rendezvous points. Elinas is Greek for "Man". And they talked about keeping Kati's knowledge of Chalcedonian secret.)

15km east of Oulo
Northlands Province
Northern Rangeria

Kati's hand had immediately went inside her jacket when she had heard the man snortle. In a normal occasion, she would have retorted with a spiky tongue and perhaps a kneecap to the family jewels, but she restrained herself for now.

"I'd ask you to tell me why I should trust you", she just said, pulling out her hand and leaving the pistol holstered in her armpit. "But your accent speaks plainly enough for me."

With that, she moved calmly to the driver's-seat side of the car, never turning his back on the man. "Fourth meeting point, you said?" she said calmly, staring the man right in the eyes, as if to show she was not intimidated by the man's size - nor interested by his Tarzan-like compliments. "Get in the car."

With that, Kati sat down on the driver's seat. The car was small, one of those compact car of the nineties with enough space for two. The backseat had been bent forward for their backpacks and camping equipment, along with food and fuel so they had been able to avoid stopping for gas.

"Unless you're uncertain with a woman behind the wheel? Are you, big man?"

15km east of Oulo
Northlands Province
Northern Rangeria

The man chortled again as he climbed, with some difficulty, into the passenger seat. "Pretty, and fiery, too! Hoohoohoo...I am Demetrios, sent by His Majesty, the Emperor. We pay back you Prince good for hurting the Emperor, yes?"

***

At RV Point Four
Ten Minutes Later

The small, compact Citroen pulled up to the camground - deserted, at this time of year. As it came to a stop, Alexandrous pulled the door open and extended a hand to Kati, whilst introducing her to the members of the team that had been sent to destroy the great dam. The first was a athletic, icy-eyed man. "This, Kati, is Dagger." A slim, gentlemanly man. "This is Traveller." A tall brunette woman. "This is Hornet. And, of course, you've already met Hammer."

Each of them had reacted differently. 'Dagger' had given Kati a thorough, professional once-over, his near-colourless eyes neither lingering on nor skipping anything visible. 'Traveller' had politely averted his eyes, and given Kati a half-bow. And 'Hornet' had given Kati a cool, appraising look that nevertheless had more humanity to it than 'Dagger's' calculating stare.

'Dagger' laid out the plan. "Here it is, boys and girls. Our job is to destroy the dam, and we're going to split into two teams to plant explosives at the places where the dam wall is embedded into the rock. With those fractured, the water pressure at this time of year should be more than enough to cause the rest to simply fall down in a half hour or so. If not, well...the chopper has some more explosives, which we can plant at the pumping station."

"Striker, Hornet and I will take the western end of the dam wall. Convert, Hammer and Traveller will take the eastern end. We move in ten minutes, the security shift switches in twenty. In fourty, we RV back here."

IC:
Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus
*snip*
"Now, to price. We are fully aware of the WDC's reputation, and in consequence, are prepared to pay approximately fourty percent higher prices than another, similarly-equipped force would expect to be paid. We therefore offer, for the use of the forces you suggested, four million Denarii per day of operations, plus a lump sum of two hundred million Denarii, to be paid upon the conclusion of this civil war. Perhaps you could think about it for a moment, whilst I take this opportunity to welcome Minister Terrance to Constantinopolis Secundus."

"Minister, my apologies for the behaviour of my brother. I assure you, his views do not reflect the attitudes of our entire society. As far as that business with Griffincrest, I'm afraid that it's been laid by the wayside, at least for now - a civil war is not the time or place to discuss corporate tarriffs and regulations."

IC:
Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus
"I agree." Kennith responded. "I got off of the phone with Supreme Emperor Williams before comming in and he wanted me to express to you that the Imperial Cabinet has given an interest in helping with this whole situation."

He sat down.

"Although they want to deploy the 7th Cmopany, 20th Division of the Shazbotdom Marine Corps to the region. The Supreme Emperor is rather sceptical about that though as it may not look good within the ranks of the rest of the Commonwealth."

"Now, to price. We are fully aware of the WDC's reputation, and in consequence, are prepared to pay approximately forty percent higher prices than another, similarly-equipped force would expect to be paid. We therefore offer, for the use of the forces you suggested, four million Denarii per day of operations, plus a lump sum of two hundred million Denarii, to be paid upon the conclusion of this civil war. Perhaps you could think about it for a moment, whilst I take this opportunity to welcome Minister Terrance to Constantinopolis Secundus."


"Yes, if we take control of security for one province that does free up your own troops to help you defend other key areas. I assure you we are fully prepared to deal with the situation, now if you will give me a moment"

Nodding to all of the empresses statements, Mr Farrell listed intently as she named her price, he was impressed by the fact that she had given him a straight up offer. He moved away from the empress and the minister whilst he figured out how much she had offered him in universal standard dollars. Remerging the exact exchange rate from the brief he had read on New Chalcedon, if his calculations were correct she was offering him $6,183,600 per day of operations and $309,180,000 upon completion of the conflict. That was quite an acceptable price for Mr Farrell. Now all he had to do was wait for the Empresses to finish talking to the minister and he could finalise the deal, however first he walked over to Major Ramirez,

"Major contact the Dawn of Might, tell them they can begin offloading the Counter-Intelligence package and then get them to contact the rest the support group and have them move into the docks as well."

Ramirez snapped a salute and walked to the edge of the room and began murmuring into his radio, whilst Mr Farrell stood patiently waiting for the Minister and the Empress to finish.

Somewhere in the Northlands
Northern Rangeria

"Pleasure", Kati had muttered her greeting with a quick military nod to the two men and the woman before her. Silently to herself she already contemplated the possibility of winning in a knife- or a gun-fight, if the situation came to that.

The plan laid before her was something that sent an unnoticed ripple up her spine, though. The Kuusaro Dam... one of the largest power plants in Northern Rangeria. Not to mention the fact that when the dam was built, a large artificial lake had formed behind it. If the dam broke, the loss of electricity in the whole Northlands province would be the least of their worries. The river valley was highly populated...

"A chopper?" she then spoke up, looking up at 'Dagger'. "If your plan is to not draw attention before we get to the dam, you would do a better job playing the accordion naked and with a rabid weasel biting down on your balls."

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena wasted no time in responding to Terrance's point, which meant that she had considered it ahead of time.

"Minister, you point is well-taken. In which case, I would ask you to read this, which will be released throughout the Commonwealth in approximately half an hour." She indicated a piece of paper, and politely gave Terrance the space he needed to read the document while she concluded the negotiations with Mr. Farrell.

"Mr. Farrell, I take it from your orders that the WDC finds my price acceptable. Welcome to the Empire. Naia", summoning a secretary, "Find Director Bukhas. Inform him that the WDC C-int teams are starting operations."

"Yes, Majesty."

The document read as follows:

OPEN LETTER FROM THE DESK OF HER IMPERIAL AND SERENE MAJESTY, EIRENA IV OF NEW CHALCEDON

To Whom it may Concern;

As all know, Our brother, Michael Doukas-Palaiologos, has raised arms in rebellion against the Crown, and his jingoistic words have inspired all too many our Our followers to take up his service.

Acting freely, and as the Crowned and Acclaimed Empress of New Chalcedon, We hereby call upon all allies of the Empire to acknowledge only Our government. Additionally, any forces sent by Our allies would be most appreciated.

[signed]

Eirena Doukaina-Palaiologina
Empress and Lady of New Chalcedon.

(OOC: NR, I have to get ot class. I will deal wth your post afterward. Edit: Here it is.)

Somewhere in the Northlands
Northern Rangeria

'Dagger' shot Kati a look that spoke volumes, then turned to Alexandrous and spoke rapidly in Chalcedonian.

"Inform your concubine, Striker, that our helicopter is registered for a sporting expedition, and is just over a mile from the dam. It will draw no attention until far too late." Switching to Rangerian, he addressed Kati directly. "Also, my dear little traitor-for-love, remember this: I am in charge. Question my orders again, and I will shoot you on the spot as a liability." Both 'Traveller' and 'Hornet' quickly hid uncomfortable expressions when they heard this. "This applies to anyone. Now, move out."

Kuusaro Dam, West End.
Ten minutes later.

Alexandrous watched carefully as 'Dagger' planted the explosives in various unobtrusive niches around the area, and reminded himself that he had knocked the guards out, rather than killing them. A noise behind him startled him, and he turned to see 'Hammer' casually slitting the throat of one of the unconscious men. His inarticulate sound of protest was met with contempt from 'Dagger'.

"It's better this way, anyway. They won't wake up to disrupt the plan." He barely acknowledged the protest, which is why he was surprised to hear 'Hammer' scream - as he fell to the dam base, having been shoved by Alexandrous. He retaliated with a vicious backhand swipe, knocking the naturalised Rangerian back as he drew his Beretta.

Kuusaro Dam, East End.

Things had gone simply at this end. The guards had been quickly and efficiently knocked out by 'Hornet', and 'Traveller' had enlisted Kati's aid in moving them to the high ground off the end of the dam. As they did so, 'Hornet' placed the charges. Kati could read from their body language that they were both profoundly unhappy with the assignment.

Umm.....bump?

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena wasted no time in responding to Terrance's point, which meant that she had considered it ahead of time.

"Minister, you point is well-taken. In which case, I would ask you to read this, which will be released throughout the Commonwealth in approximately half an hour." She indicated a piece of paper, and politely gave Terrance the space he needed to read the document while she concluded the negotiations with Mr. Farrell.

"Mr. Farrell, I take it from your orders that the WDC finds my price acceptable. Welcome to the Empire. Naia", summoning a secretary, "Find Director Bukhas. Inform him that the WDC C-int teams are starting operations."

"Yes, Majesty."



"That we do find your offer acceptable, $6,183,600 per day of operations and $309,180,000 on completion of the conflict, that is of course is subject to exchange rates. Our Counter Intelligence teams just need to be introduced to their liaisons inside the 5th Bureau and the other forces need to be pointed in the right direction and we can begin. One final note say if the worth of your currency drops would you make up the shortfall?"

The question Mr Farrell posed would have no real effect on the deployment orders, WDC wanted and needed to be here so they would stay here.

Kusaro Dam, East End
Northern Rangeria

"Hey", Kati whispered, pushing Hornet's shoulder a little. "What's wrong? You look like your mind is in something else entirely. And when you're like that while handling explosives, that worries me."

She spoke softly, looking Hornet straight in the eyes. Inside, however, she felt a knot forming. They had managed to take out the guards, but there were also the civilian personnel in the control tower arching up from the dam's center. Lights were on in there, and Kati knew she only needed to fire her gun to get the control tower's attention. Alarms would be set off, the whole plan going upriver in a matter of seconds.

'Alex... Please stall them... Stall them, my love', she murmured in the back of her mind, her grip slowly tightening on the Heckler & Koch in her hand.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena's lips twisted in a wry half-smile. "Mr. Farrell, ordinarily, the response of the Empire would be to say "Take your chances, we stand by our currency." However, under these circumstances, we can understand why the money markets would abandon the Denarius, so we propose a compromise. We will keep the current USD value of the contract as a benchmark. Any drops in the Denarius will be halfway compensated for - that is, we will make up half the difference between the amount in denarii and the USD value at current exchange rates. Essentially, we and you will share the risk."

Kuusaro Dam, East End
Northern Rangeria

Hornet's eyes held steady for a moment, then dropped. "It just....this isn't right. Rangeria hasn't done anything to the Empire, and we all signed on to serve the Empire. "She sighed. "But we have our orders, and since Parnassia took over the bureau, it's more than your life's worth to defy them." Hornet paused in her setting of the charges to look over at the central tower.

"We need to neutralise that - we'll have to go there to set the last few charges, anyway. Let's go, and remember that we should try to take them alive. I don't want more people dying than necessary - perhaps we should call in some kind of warning to the local authorities, giving them about half an hour's notice to start evacuating."

Kuusaro Dam, West End
Northern Rangeria

'Dagger' looked at Alexandrous, his eyes filled with contempt.

"So, you went native after all. You know what the penalty for treasonis, don't you?" Without waiting for a response, he levelled his Beretta at Alexandrous' chest, only to have it knocked out of his hand by a stray rock that his opponent had palmed and thrown at his hand.

Kuusaro Dam, East End
Northern Rangeria

"Do you honestly think Dagger would allow that?" Kati asked, frowning deeply. "What I've seen of him, he'd skin any of us alive if we tried to warn them. And look out there."

Kati waved her hand towards the valley. In the night the lights of small farms and towns lit the landscape, as if reflecting the starlight above. She sighed. "So many lives... Do you re-, wait, what was that?" Kati suddenly sharpened, hearing a distant clatter echo from the other side of the dam.

Kuusaro Dam, East End
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' replied softly. "So he would....if he knew. It's a risk, but better than -" Her voice was cut off as the clatter sounded. "Not good. Traveller, stay and watch. Kati, with me. We'll go see if they need help. Take this."

'Hornet' handed Kati one of the weapons that she and 'Traveller' had used to subdue the guards - apparently, she carried a spare. It was a handgun, and Kati remembered it firing darts at its target. "It has less recoil than a standard firearm. Don't forget."

The Imperial agent stalked off toward the central control tower, and to the western end of the dam beyond it, clearly expecitng Kati to follow her.

Kuusaro Dam, East End
Northern Rangeria

Kati took the handgun and quickly checked the clip. Four darts left.

"Trust me... I won't", she said and turned to look at the Traveller. "Don't put the detonator in until we come back, ya hear?"

With that, she darted after Hornet, already checking out her back. The dart had went through the thick protective overalls of the guards like it wasn't even there - but if push came to shove, she wanted to make sure she shot into unprotected flesh.

OOC: You do know that your actions in the Parilisan trhead could lead to WDC been witdrawn from your country? The have a sense of honour but not when that honour endangers their home country.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena's lips twisted in a wry half-smile. "Mr. Farrell, ordinarily, the response of the Empire would be to say "Take your chances, we stand by our currency." However, under these circumstances, we can understand why the money markets would abandon the Denarius, so we propose a compromise. We will keep the current USD value of the contract as a benchmark. Any drops in the Denarius will be halfway compensated for - that is, we will make up half the difference between the amount in denarii and the USD value at current exchange rates. Essentially, we and you will share the risk."



Mr Farrell smirked and offered his hand Eirena, he liked the way she did business, he liked taking the odd risk and he thought this risk was worth it, he just hoped that the so called conflict with Parilsa wouldn't have an effect on WDC policy. "Well then, I think we can seal this deal, my lady?"

OOC: sorry for short post

(OOC: I understand. I'll post you on the CIN board about it.)

Kuusaro Dam, Central tower
Northern Rangeria

The work here had been short and sweet - no guards dead, and no alarm gotten out. While some may have considered the fact that 'Hornet' went unarmoured a weakness, it allowed her to sneak with remarkable skill right past the security. During the short scuffles, Kati had had to fire three of her four darts to silence guards.

With the tower secured, Kati could hear more sounds from the western end. Apparently 'Hornet' could, too.

"Looks like there's trouble. Let's go." She started toward the west end of the dam wall, expecting Kati to follow.

Kuusaro Dam, West End
Northern Rangeria

By the time that anyone could have reached the western end of the dam, the situation was painfully apparent: 'Dagger' was getting the better of Alexandrous.

As Kati arrived, she could see 'Dagger' flip Alexandrous over his shoulder, who landed some meters distant with a final-sounding thud. 'Dagger' reached into his boot, then noticed Kati. His face curled into a rictus of hate as he drew a .22 pistol from his boot and started to aim it at Kati.

(OOC: NR, did Kati shoot Hornet in the back en route to the West end? She had the opportunity.)

Mangana Palance
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena offered her hand. "Deal. I hope to see you at the victory banquet, Mr. Farrell. You also, Colonel Ramirez."

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

The counterintelligence teams had liaised with Simon Bukhas, the leader of that part of the Fifth Bureau that had remained loyal to the Empress. His intention was to split them into teams, assigning a few of his personnel to assist each team, and disperse the teams throughout the capital, concentrating on those areas most torn by rioting - which Bukhas suspected the rebel Imperial agents had had something to do with.

Novoa Hadrianopolis
New Chalcedon.

The last Loyalist holdout garrison had been forced to surrender after Fifth Bureau agents had poisoned the supplies. As the commander approached Michael Palaiologos, he offered his sword in the traditional gesture of surrender. Michael took it, and withdrew it from its scabbard.

"Very nice, Colonel. Why did you swear it to my little sister, rather than me?" The officer took a moment to reply. "Because the Senate removed you from office, Highness."

Michael's face showed very little. Just a tic that indicated emotion barely held in check. "You will not mention that body of traitors to me again, Colonel. Now, what should we do to you? You held back our advance for over a week, and severely delayed our advance on the capital. This should not go unpunished."

Colonel Leo Armandes knew that this was coming. Civil wars in the Empire, whilst rarely fought to the finish, were not pretty exercises. "I care not what you do with me, Highness. Just spare my men - had I chosen to follow you, they would have fought under your banner, not your sister's." He indicated the Imperial double eagle, gold on red (as opposed to Eirena's traditional gold on black), that flew above the hill.

"Granted, Colonel. But you have offered no defence for your actions. I therefore condemn you to death. As the holder and executor of High, Middle and Low Justice, I will carry out the sentence myself at dawn. Take him away." Two guards escorted Colonel Armandes away. Michael turned to Yevlena Parnassia, who had lurked in the shadows.

"Are the preparations underway?"

"They are, Majesty. Bishop Ulanthis agreed to perform the ceremony."

"Good."

Cathedral of Saint Constantine, Novoa Hadrianopolis
The next morning.

"And by the authority vested in my person by the Holy Mother Church, I hereby crown you Emperor and Lord of New Chalcedon, and Viceregent of Christ on Earth.

Rise, Emperor Michael Doukas-Paliologos."

The vast Cathedral was almost totally silent as the Bishop ritually abbointed the man with the three sacred oils, and placed a simple golden circlet on his head. The newly- (or perhaps re-)crowned Emperor rose. Toward the exits, soldiers forced the people to start a ragged cheer - hardly the joyous acclaim that had accompanied his first ascension to the throne, Michael noted with a hint of sadness. Perhaps the few thousand executions that had taken place the previous evening had soured them. Oh well, they'll get over it soon enough. They always do. He shook off his mood.

Constantine stood at one side of his brother, Yevlena at the other. The stunning woman smiled jubilantly, but the Prince on the other side seemed more solemn than the occasion demanded.

Kuusaro Dam

"You'll thank me later", Kati whispered and shot one dart in the back of Hornet's neck as she turned away from her. The toxin worked quickly, bringing Hornet down on her face on the wall. Kati checked she was breathing, and the dragged her against the wall. Quickly she then made her way to the west end of the dam, where she saw what was happening. She also confiscated her dart gun, checking it still had ammo in it.

She reacted with the trained ease of a soldier and a woman who had grown up hunting. She fired the dart gun in her right hand, three darts flying towards the face and neck of 'Dagger', who had first had to stoop down to get his gun.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Just as Eirena was sealing the deal, news had come in from the Northern Rangerian embassy. The Crown and the Government had agreed to the arrangement of holding the P.O.W.s on behalf of the Empire. With the agreement came also the list of requirements: Access for Principality Air Forces and Navy on selected harbours and air fields. Access for Principality personnel on military bases for the purpose of pick-up and transportation of prisoners. In return, all intelligence gathered by Principality interrogators would be handed over to the liaison officers of the Empress's choice. Same applied to prisoners accused of treason and war crimes, provided that their trial would be held with the presence of Northern Rangerian observers.

Also attached to the memoranda was a request for any information pertaining to Fifth Bureau operatives in Northern Rangeria, including service histories, close kin and psychological profiles.

OOC:
Sorry. Stupid ass thing didn't send me the e-mail notification of replies. Fucking Jolt.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena wasted no time in responding to Terrance's point, which meant that she had considered it ahead of time.

"Minister, you point is well-taken. In which case, I would ask you to read this, which will be released throughout the Commonwealth in approximately half an hour." She indicated a piece of paper, and politely gave Terrance the space he needed to read the document while she concluded the negotiations with Mr. Farrell.
*Snip*
The document read as follows:

OPEN LETTER FROM THE DESK OF HER IMPERIAL AND SERENE MAJESTY, EIRENA IV OF NEW CHALCEDON

To Whom it may Concern;

As all know, Our brother, Michael Doukas-Palaiologos, has raised arms in rebellion against the Crown, and his jingoistic words have inspired all too many our Our followers to take up his service.

Acting freely, and as the Crowned and Acclaimed Empress of New Chalcedon, We hereby call upon all allies of the Empire to acknowledge only Our government. Additionally, any forces sent by Our allies would be most appreciated.

[signed]

Eirena Doukaina-Palaiologina
Empress and Lady of New Chalcedon.

IC:
Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus
Kennith had been on the official imperial satelite phone with the Supreme Emperor. He had used his satelite phone to fax the letter to the Imperial Palace a few moments before. There were a lot of "uh huh's", "yeah's" and "I understand's" during his conversation on the phone. He then hung up his phone and turned his attention back to Eirena.

"We will be able to send troops, but as this is a matter that involves a civil war of an ally it will have to go before an official vote of the Imperial Parliament. It may take a day or two for the vote to be completed." Hesitantly he added, "In the mean time, the Supreme Emperor himself has authorized a detachment of 20 more Marines for my personal defence. They are being transported here by 4 Pelican Air Transports and should be here within the next 20 hours."

Mangana Palance
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena offered her hand. "Deal. I hope to see you at the victory banquet, Mr. Farrell. You also, Colonel Ramirez."

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

The counterintelligence teams had liaised with Simon Bukhas, the leader of that part of the Fifth Bureau that had remained loyal to the Empress. His intention was to split them into teams, assigning a few of his personnel to assist each team, and disperse the teams throughout the capital, concentrating on those areas most torn by rioting - which Bukhas suspected the rebel Imperial agents had had something to do with.




Mangana Palance
Constantinopolis Secundus
Shaking Eirena's hand, "Done, we will see you there my lady, I hope that our contribution can help see this conflict ended with all haste."

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

Colonel Barry Moss was in charge of the counter intelligence package that had been deployed to New Chalcedon. After liaising with Simon Bukhas, the remaining leader of the loyalist Fifth Bureau he had as Bukhas had directed him, spread his teams out across the city, the well trained three man teams immediately began. The two Ghost Recon teams assigned to the counter-intelligence groups split one team orbiting the city in the MH-60 and the other team was on the ground in their Dodge Magnum-SRT8. Both teams were ready to spring into action if the counter-intelligence team came up with anything.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena looked at Mr. Farrell warmly. "Indeed, Mr. Farrell. Good day." One of the guards discreetly motioned the WDC representatives toward the door.

Turning to Minister Terrance, she addressed his point. "Certainly, Minister - the Empire does not begrudge our allies the defence of their representatives. There is also a matter I would like to discuss with you in private. Over dinner, perhaps?"

After Minister Terrance had been released to go about his duties for Shazbotdom, Eirena received the Rangerian communique and drafted a reply agreeing to their terms.

Kuusaro Dam

'Dagger' was expecting such an attack, and stood as soon as Kati had fired, exposing his chest to the darts. They impacted....and bounced off the armoured vest he was wearing.

"Nice try, little girl. I take it that Hornet and Traveller are rather dead at the moment. Did you enjoy it? Did it feel good to kill them when they trusted you, girl, just like that offal threw Hammer over the dam wall? It did, didn't it? You can be honest with me, girl - one of us will be dead soon, anyway." His face wore a cruel smile, as he attempted to psychologically break Kati, whilst his hand snaked back down to his boot, which he had abandoned by standing so rapidly earlier.

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

The teams were coming up with nothing, nothing, nothing....until a stray transmission from the Blachernae district was intercepted. Being the wealthiest part of the capital, stray transmission were to be expected....but not coded ones. Not coded transmissions that were sent to military satellites.

A backtrack revealed that one of the townhouses in the area was the source of the transmissions.

Kuusaro Dam

Damn, I was hoping to blind this bastard, Kati cursed inside her mind as she discarded the empty dart gun.

"Oh shut up", she just growled in response, closing her ears to the Chalcedonian agent's little games. With one swift movement her hand disappeared inside her jacket and pulled out her sidearm again. She fired, a throwing shoot aimed to get the man unbalanced, then made a quick dash and fired again, trying to shoot the man's kneecaps.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus
Turning to Minister Terrance, she addressed his point. "Certainly, Minister - the Empire does not begrudge our allies the defence of their representatives. There is also a matter I would like to discuss with you in private. Over dinner, perhaps?"

After Minister Terrance had been released to go about his duties for Shazbotdom, Eirena received the Rangerian communique and drafted a reply agreeing to their terms.


IC:
Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus
Kennith nodded at her. "Of course. I will see you then," he politely stated and then walked out to join his security staff out in the hall, where they walked to find an empty room so that they could discuss a few things of importance.[/QUOTE]

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

One was found easily, an empty office in which Minister Terrance could privately discuss anything he chose with his aides.

Kuusaro Dam

As soon as her hand dived inside her jacket, 'Dagger' moved with conditioned speed, taking cover behind a monitoring station. He sidearm was aimed, not at Kati, but at Alexandrous, who was stirring weakly.

"Now, Ms. Renlund, you will place the remaining explosives and set the detonators appropriately....if you want your little boyfriend over there to live, that is."

Kuusaro Dam

Kati's eyes flashed, with rage and worry equally. She looked like she was being torn in two, her hand holding the handle of her gun as he watched Dagger aim at her fiancé.

"If I do that... will you let him live?"

Kuusaro Dam

'Dagger' grinned cruelly.

"You don't know that I will. What you do know is that if you don't do exactly as I say, you'll get to watch me shoot him between the eyes. To start with, throw your weapon over the dam wall, if you please."

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

The teams were coming up with nothing, nothing, nothing....until a stray transmission from the Blachernae district was intercepted. Being the wealthiest part of the capital, stray transmission were to be expected....but not coded ones. Not coded transmissions that were sent to military satellites.

A backtrack revealed that one of the townhouses in the area was the source of the transmissions.

Upon the interception of the coded transmission the counter inteligence teams sprang into action. As the Ghost Recon teams closed in on the townhouse, the command truck was a scene of orginised chaos.

The command truck was bassicaly a exended articulate lorry with its insides converted into C2 consoles, inteligence gathering computers, a comms suite and other facilites used to control the counter inteligence operation. Inside the truck was Major Kol, the commanding officer of the counter inteligence unit was issuing orders as he had his units close in on the loaction of this coded transmission.
"Order teams 1 through to 6 to converge on their location. Also have Victor 2 vector to the location and inform local law enforcement."
"Yes sir, Teams 1 through to 6 are aproaching the area, Victor 2 has changed direction and are now entering orbit around the target, also I have notifed the QRF who are still sitting in the harbour"
"Very good leftenant Misha, now just get that message to the local law enforcment"

Misha nooded and sent out a blanket broadcast too all law enforcement in the area "Be advised, be advised WDC teams are moving on source of coded transmission in sector G645 H746, request local backup over"

Meanwhile.......
Approaching the twon house were the six jet black Dodge Maganum SRT-8s full of WDC response teams and orbiting the area was one of the shost recon teams in their MH-60 blackhawk.

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

"Roger that, WDC personnel. We're sending two platoons of Guardsmen to aid you. Please take no unnecessary action until they arrive. Octagon out."

(The Octagon is the central command structure of the Imperial Armed Forces.)

Five minutes later....

Two armoured vans pulled up to the WDC command post, each disgorging about a dozen heavily-armed and armoured personnel. One of them, an officer by the looks of him, approached the WDC personnel.

"Major....Kol, is it not? My name is Crispus Notaras, of the Varangian Guard. I'm impressed - we haven't yet been able to spot the transmissions from around here. Then again, the Fifth Bureau would know exactly what they're hiding from with us, so that stands to reason....where will we be the most helpful?" Notaras paused, and then continued, "Just be careful. Yevlena Parnassia is the head of the Bureau, as well as having been the Director of local operations for the capital for almost twenty years now, and she's one vicious bitch. And coming from someone who fought in our last civil war, that's saying something."

OOC:
I am unsure as to to where I should go with my people or how long I should wait to RP the arrival of the 20 extra security personel. I do plan though to have the extra people be 10 Standard Marines, 5 SpecOps Marines and 5 SCS Marines.

OOC: They can arrive anytime - I don't really mind about tiny continuity errors. This isn't a bestseller novel, after all.:p

Kuusaro Dam

"No", Kati suddenly said sternly. "I won't. You've already lost, Dagger. Me and Hornet, we contacted the local garrison. Can't you hear it? Of course not, the wind blows too hard."

She began to walk closer, her hand sliding out from her jacket as she stared Dagger down. "In a matter of minutes this place will be crawling with soldiers ready to blow your miserable head off your shoulders, the skies lit with the light of combat helicopters. Every road from here to Rovanie is likely being blocked as we speak."

All this Kati said calmly, staring Dagger straight in the eyes, as if his gun was completely insignificant. "You've lost, Dagger. And I assure you, if you do something very stupid with that gun, you'll be lathered with barbecue sauce and fed to the wolverines. That is, if you are lucky."

"Or... you can cut your losses and run. Take your helo and get the hell out of here. Now."

Transmission fully encripted

To: Michael Doukas-Palaiologos, Emperor of New Chalcedon

Unfortunatly, I have only recently gained detailed information on the situation in New Chalcedon, which is why we have noy contacted you sooner. I have decided that the Holy Osean Empire will support you. We offer to provide additional money and resources to back your campaign. We can also give access to what our intelligence our sources can provide and instuctors to aid in the training of new recriuts. This will, of course, need to be kept as secret as possible, due to the fact that the CIN recognises your sister as the legitimate legal government of New Chalcedon and will likely throw us out if it is discovered that we are supporting you. If you are interested, please reply as soon as you can.

Sincearly,
His Imperial majesty, Alexius I Habsburg, Holy Osean Emperor

Transmission fully encripted

To: Michael Doukas-Palaiologos, Emperor of New Chalcedon

Unfortunatly, I have only recently gained detailed information on the situation in New Chalcedon, which is why we have noy contacted you sooner. I have decided that the Holy Osean Empire will support you. We offer to provide additional money and resources to back your campaign. We can also give access to what our intelligence our sources can provide and instuctors to aid in the training of new recriuts. If you wish we can also provide direct military support. If you are interested, please reply as soon as you can.

Sincearly,
His Imperial majesty, Alexius I Habsburg, Holy Osean Emperor

OOC:
Check your TG's.

Kuusaro Dam

'Dagger' cursed, not being able to see the lie on Kati's face in the poor lighting, and snarled in dialect Imperial "Well, at least I'll have the pleasure of shooting you and your traitor whore, woman!" With no more ado, he shot at Alexandrous twice, and then turned his pistol's grip toward Kati intending to shoot her as soon as he could.

Alexandrous was, unfortunately for Dagger, awake by now, and able to twist the center of his body out of the line of fire, although he wasn't able to prevent either bullet from hitting him altogether.

Novoa Hadrianopolis
New Chalcedon.

Whilst the St. Sergius Palace was no match for the antique magnificence of the Mangana, Michael Doukas-Palaiologos thought that he could get used to it quite easily.

Very easily indeed.....his musings were interrupted by the arrival of Julian Marskovic, a minor member of the nobility up-jumped to serve as his Secretary to the Crown.

"Majesty, excellent news! We've received an offer of aid."

Michael sat bolt upright in his chair. After being deserted by his oldest ally, he had not anticipated any offers of assistance, and he was a good enough strategist to know just how much of a disadvantage the lopsided diplomatic situation put him at. He held out his hand for the piece of paper that Marskovic was waving around, and read it thoroughly.

"Alright, Julian, here's what we're going to do. Listen carefully - " His orders were interrupted by the arrival of Constantine and Parnassia. "Good news, my friends. Osea has offered to support us." Both of their faces lit up - after a series of reverses diplomatically and on the intelligence front, the Emperor's forces could use some good news. General Phodarkes, entering the room just behind them, caught the last part and was quick to give advice.

"We are in dire need of naval help, Majesty. Whilst most of the Army went to our side, the Navy has been inspired by Banton to stay with your sister. If we're to have a serious hope of taking the capital - not to mention the other half of the Empire - we need naval assistance."

"An excellent point, General. So let's get to drafting messages."

The five people got to work drafting messages and orders.

From: Julian Marskovic, Secretary to the Crown.
To: His Imperial Majesty, Alexius I, Holy Osean Emperor.
Re: Offer of assistance.
Encryption Level: Maximum.

Your Imperial Majesty,

It is with great pleasure that I report to you that His Imperial and Serene Majesty, Michael VI of New Chalcedon, has gratefully accepted the offer of aid and recognition that the Holy Empire of Osea extends. Please find attached an outline summarising the current strategic/tactical situation, as well as a list of suggestions of ways in which the Holy Empire can aid H.I.S.M. in regaining the throne of his forefathers.

Your Servant,

Julian Marskovic
Secretary to the Crown.

Of things that His Imperial Majesty's loyal forces stand in need of, these are the most pressing:

1. Naval support: A large majority of the Imperial Navy, led by the late Grand Admiral Notaras and carried on by the current Grand Admiral, Isabella Banton, have sided with the pretender. Given the archipelagic nature of the Empire, as well as the fact that the Navy has ever been the Empire's "senior service", the naval balance of power must be shifted in our favour if further progress is to be made.

2. Resupply: The industrial centres of the Empire are mostly located on the Western Island, which remains loyal to the pretender. Whilst the current situation with spare parts and ammunition is not yet critical, neither is our logistical situation up to a series of major battles.

3. Air support: This arena is not as urgent as the naval arena, largely due to the Imperial Air Force being much more evenly distributed between the two forces.

4. Diplomatic support: The vast majority of the Empire's friends and allies, including Shazbotdom, The Wolf Hold and Northern Rangeria, recognise the pretender's regime. In consequence, our diplomats have a hard time being taken seriously. Any assistance the Holy Empire can offer in this arena would be most appreciated.

[signed]

General Antonius Phodarkes,
Chief of Military Operations.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Eirena Doukaina-Palaiologina, currently Empress of approximately half of New Chalcedon, was working at her daily load of administrative tasks when her messenger icon began to flash. Curious, she opened the box, and saw written:

E,

Osea has decided to support M. Level of commitment: Tentative. A show of force may be enough to dissuade them. Stay strong.

C.

She read the message twice, considering the implications. After a moment, she called her secretary, and asked to be put through to the Octagon.

The Octagon
Constantinopolis Secundus, New Chalcedon.

The rebel incursion that had cost Grand Admiral Notaras' life had been cleaned-up affter, almost without a trace. Yet there was still a subtle sense of unreality, as if the halls could not believe that yet another civil war was taking place.

Isabella Banton, newly-promoted Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, looked at her wallphone as it signalled for her attention. She called "Yes?", her voice triggering the circuit. The Empress' face appeared on the screen, which worried Banton - Eirena made a habit of calling twice a day for updates regularly, and this wasn't one of the times.

"How may I serve, Majesty?" Banton's voice was deferential without being servile, as she greeted her liege lady.

"Admiral." Eirena nodded politely. "I have received news from a private source that the Holy Empire of Osea has sided with Michael's forces, and that Michael has asked for naval assistance. I suggest that you factor this into your strategic plans, and authorise you to take any action you deem necessary."

"Yes, Majesty. Might one inquite how you came to find out directly - " Banton was cut off by Eirena. "One might not, Admiral. Suffice it to say that the source is both authoritative and trustworthy. Are there any other questions?"

"Only one, Majesty. How much latitude to I have?"

"I had thought that I was clear the first time. Do whatever you feel necessary, up to and including the threat and application of force to prevent any Osean reinfocements reaching my brother. Godspeed, Admiral." The screen went dead.

Banton considered the situation for a moment. She could presently call on a fairly impressive force just with a phone call at the moment - the Navy, already the Empire's largest and most powerful service, was virtually united behind their Empress. She decided to take the plunge.

"Sam!" Her adjutant poked his head in the doorway at the sound of his name, one that only Banton was allowed to use outside his family. "Call a briefing - I've received intel and we need to move on it."

"Aye, Aye, Ma'am!"

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus.

After informing the Grand Admiral of the turn of events Eirena decided to inform her two most reliable allies - Northern Rangeria and Shazbotdom. Her secretary put calls through to Minister Terrance and Ambassador Silander, asking them to see the Empress at their convenience.

The Golden Horn,
Two Hours Later.

Any competant observer could detect that the Imperial Home Fleet was in an agitated state - if nothing else, the hundreds of messages being sent between the vessels hinted at something going on. Within two hours of the Grand Admiral receiving the message, a pack of smallcraft made their way from the docks to the Imperator, the immense supercarrier flagship of the Imperial Navy. Half an hour later, no less than seven carriers and all their escorts - well over one hundred ultra-modern warships in total - began to make their way out of the harbour.

Aboard the Imperator, Banton reviewed her plans in the security of her flag briefing room. Her plan called for only half of the Home Fleet to act, to leave the capital covered against any emergencies in her absence. The detached forces, which she would command personally, would make up the shortfall by picking up forces at every opportunity along the way, notably those of Admiral Scott and Admiral Preston, which were en route from Volzgradi waters.

Kuusaro Dam

Kati howled when she saw 'Dagger' shoot Alexandrous, her scream so full of rage and sorrow it sounded like the death-rattle of the henki, seiren-like spirits of old Pagan Rangerian religion, as it echoed in the valley. In the darkness she could not see that Alexandrous had not been killed, but that didn't stop her from assaulting 'Dagger'. She had pulled her knife the moment the man had turned to fire on Alexandrous, and she had closed the gap swiftly between him and the murderous swine. As 'Dagger' squeezed the trigger for the third time, Kati had already gotten past his gun and had grabbed his arm in her own, attempting to keep the bigger man's gun out of the way. The Rangerian combat knife, or leuku (http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l135/cloudberrymarket/woodsknife/wilderness_bushcraft_leuku.jpg) as it was called, had switched into Kati's left hand, and now struck towards 'Dagger''s armpit.

At this range, 'Dagger' certainly had a view at Kati's face, and what he saw was the rage and sorrow of a warrior - and a promise that she'd have his life for what he had done.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Ambassador Silander was not one to dilly-dally, so despite the workload at the embassy, the transportation of Rangerian citizens and expats, and the task of setting up connections between the Defence Corps with the supporters of the Empress, he arrived at Mangana Palace as soon as possible. Alongside him came his secretary Nora Luoma, and the newly-appointed military advisor of the embassy, Major Henrik Saarto of the Army.

They were a curious sight, these three. Despite the ambassador's formal wear along and the secretary's businesswoman attire, they all moved at the same steady pace as Saarto, and carried the ceremonial leuku on their belts at the same ease as he did. Granted, the major's deerhorn-handled knife looked more effective in close-quarters than the decorated ceremonial weapon of Silander or the smaller, slimmer blade on Luoma's belt. But that did not remove the air of confidence that hung about them.

Kuusaro Dam

'Dagger' had not been expecting Kati to pull a knife - his thought was that she had another firearm concealed. Consequently, she caught him completely off-guard as he fired two useless rounds from sheer reflex from his pistol, and her blade sank smoothly into its target, propelled by the hate and rage of injured love.

'Dagger', the last of the Imperial agents on this mission, fell heavily.

(OOC: Can we wait for Silander to arrive when Shazbotdom does, NR?)

(OOC: Sure thing, NC. As you may have noticed, I'm not a hasty poster ;) )

Kuusaro Dam

Kati stared straight into 'Dagger's' eyes as she held him still. It looked as if for the first time in his life the man was surprised - well, at least until Kati twisted the leuku in the wound, the seven-inch blade embedded in his armpit cutting into the sensitive organs inside. Then his expression would certainly change, unless the Imperial conditioning to tolerate pain was something out of this world. She kept pressing him down, twisting his arm as she pulled the blade out - and cut the man's jugular in one savage stroke.

Releasing her hold, Kati let the dying Chalcedonian slide down. Her attention turned to Alexandrous, whom she could see lying on the ground. Tears welled up in her eyes as she ran to him. "Alex... Alex... Please, don't do this to me...", she whimpered, leaning down to see her fiancé's face. She did not even think about running, even though the narrow pass where Kuusaro had been built meant that the gunfire had echoed like in an auditorium, and had most likely been heard by the surveillance station in the alley. It would only be a matter of time before they would figure out that the control tower wasn't answering, and the authorities alerted.

Kuusaro Dam

The only thing 'Dagger' yielded, even in death, was a sigh, almost as if he somehow regretted the chain of events.

As Kati crouched over her fiancee, Alexandrous groaned in pain. "Damn bastard idiot...what trigger-happy nutjobs are they letting in these days? Ou, that hurts. Why the tears, Kati?" That last was with his customary insouciance, as he knew perfectly well that Kati had thought him to be worse-injured - he was simply trying to lighten the mood.

The sounds from the surveillance station indicated that others would arrive soon.

(OOC: NR, you handle the local security - it is your country, after all.)

Imperial Palace, Vienna, Holy Osean Empire

Alexius grinned as a messenger read the message to him. He then said "So they have accepted our offer. Excellent". One of his advisors, Nicolaus Falkenhayn, a member of the Osean military and nobilty, replied "It does offer opportunities, your majesty". Alexius started walking towards the palace's gardens, with the others following him.

The fact that they were here was unusual to Falkenhayn, in that the Osean Capital was New Constantinople, not Vienna. But recently, the Emperor had decided to move his place of residence to the city, likely due to the present unrest in Constantinople. After a while, Alexius spoke up "I believe we should send a significant sized fleet to the international waters near New Chalcedon, to conduct training exercise. That means we will have our ships ready to act against the ships under this Grand Admiral Banton's command. We will also deploy submarines to conduct operations against enemy ships".

The Emperor was a keen naval strategist, so Falkenhayn was not surprised by what he said. He did however have things to add, which he did "We should be able to sent spare parts and ammunition to them and I believe it might be possible to help them establish new factories and infrastructure". Alexius, his voice showing signs of interest, replied "An interesting idea. I will have a message sent soon. But I suspect you have other ideas to discuss....".


Transmission fully encripted

To: Michael Doukas-Palaiologos, Emperor of New Chalcedon

We will send ships into the area, but they will remain in international waters for the moment untill we have decided on the best way to use them. We will supply you with spare parts and ammunition. We also propose to help you build up your military infrastructure and supply you with the raw materials that you need to produce equipment ans supply your forces.

OOC: Chalcedon, could you give me some more information on the size and composition of your Imperial Home Fleet.

(OOC: And just how do you know it's size and composition, Osea? Still, I guess...very well. Also, might I ask how you know that Eirena knows that it's you? I'll grant that given the circumstances, any agents you may have in the capital will report the Home Fleet moves back to you, and you will assume the worst regarding them, mind you. Also, bear in mind that any agents in C.S. will only have reported Home Fleet's move, not the 4th, 7th and 12th fleets. Those were en route back to the empire from another conflict - its a long story - and Banton reassigned them to RV with her. And I so want an ORBAT from you, please.)

Imperial Home Fleet ORBAT for Operation: Security. (In other words, this is the portion of the Home Fleet detached for the operation and under Banton's direct command. The remaining portion is roughly equivalent in size.)

CO: Grand Admiral Isabella Maria Banton, Imperial Navy, KCSC.

Flagship: ICNS Imperator. Modified Ford-class carrier.

Other capital warships:

4 x Ford-class carrier, modified, 2 x Queen Elizabeth-class carrier, modified.
22 x updated Kirov-class Battlecruiser (mostly upgraded electronics).

Lighter warships:
30 x modified Anzac-class frigate.
34 x modified Kolkata-class destroyer.

Submarines: 16 x Type 210 submarines.

Aircraft: 432 Eurofighter Typhoon II air superiority fighters (36 squadrons: 6 per Ford class, 3 per Queen Elizabeth class); many helicopters of varying types.

Seventh Fleet ORBAT:

CO: Admiral Sir Marius Preston, INCN, KCGE.

Flagship: ICNS Princeps, Ford-class supercarrier.

Other capital ships:

2 x modified Ford-class carriers.
4 x modified Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
12 x modified Kirov-class battlecruisers.
16 x modified ANZAC-class frigates.
16 x modified Kolkata-class destroyers.

Fourth Fleet (now rolled into Admiral Preston's Seventh Fleet) ORBAT:

CO: Formerly Admiral Isabella Banton; now assigned to Admiral Marius Preston.

Flagship: ICNS Basil Bulgaroknoctos, modified Ford-class carrier.

1*modified Ford-class carrier.
4* modified Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.
8*Wasp-class LHA transports.
7* modified Kirov-class battlecruisers.
13*modified ANZAC-class frigates.
13*Kolkata-class destroyers.
6*Type 210 diesel-powered submarines.
8*Fort Victoria-class AOR.

Figher complement: 24 squadrons Eurofighter Typhoon II.

Both Ford-class carriers have suffered light damage, as have most of the frigates and the battlecruisers. Four of the frigates have suffered heavier damage, but the force's fighter losses have been made good. This was the TF seen in Eastern Thunder (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=589862) under Banton's command, tasked with occupying the Bay of Holl, a task at which it failed due to superior enemy forces. Banton returned to the capital to take command of Home Fleet in the political chaos, and her taskforce has integrated with Preston's Seventh Fleet, which in turn is sailing in company with Admiral Scott's Twelfth Fleet.

Twelfth Fleet ORBAT:

CO: Admiral Ray Scott, INCN.

Flagship: ICNS Hierophant (Modified Ford-class carrier)

Other capital warships:

4 x modified Ford-class supercarriers
14 x modified Kirov-class battlecruisers

Smaller warships:
22 x modified ANZAC-class frigates
20 x modified Kolkata-class destroyers

Submarines:

14 x Type 210 submarines, diesel-powered.

The modifications universally present include extensive electronics upgrades - the Empire is MT/borderline PMT with an emphasis on Information Technology as primary industry, and the electronics of its military reflect that fact. There are a few others present as well, but that is the universal modification. Think along the lines of significantly enhanced sensor, EW and communications ability.

As to organisation, Fourth Fleet, Seventh Fleet and Twelfth Fleet are a co-ordinated formation. Banton will also be picking up various light forces en route to the rendezvous.

IC:

From: His Imperial and Serene Majesty, Michael VI of New Chalcedon.
To: His Imperial Majesty, Alexius I of the Holy Osean Empire.
Re: Offer of assistance.
Encryption level: Maximum.

Your Majesty,

Whilst the offers of spare parts and supplies are gratefully accepted, we must move as soon as possible to take the capital and put an end to my sister's tyranny. Before any significant factories can be set up, I suspect that the conflict will be resolved one way or the other.

Regards,

Michael VI Doukas-Palaiologos
Emperor and Lord of New Chalcedon.

Kuusaro Dam

Kati gasped when she heard Alexandrous speak. Bursting into tears, she hugged her man close, silencing him with her lips.

And then, she gave her a sharp smack on the cheek.

"Don't you EVER do that to me again!" she yelled behind her tears, even though she was also smiling. "I thought he killed you, my love..."

The security response was swift: a pair of military helicopters appeared from beyond the artificial lake, spotlights picking up the two remaining Chalcedonian agents, as well as Kati who was trying to see where Alexandrous had been hit.

"This is the Northern Rangerian Defence Corps", a voice distorted by a loud-speaker spoke over the thrum of descending helicopters. "Freeze and put your hands up where we can see them."

One of the heloes touched down on the causeway, and several armed soldiers bursted out, three of them heading towards Alexandrous and Kati. The others went to secure 'Hornet' and 'Traveller', the former still unconscious. The clicks of safeties told that these soldiers, clad in camoflage and bearing darkened goggles, were not taking any chances with these interlopers.

The leader, however, stopped and seemed to look at Alexandrous curiously.

"You again?" the man cursed, his voice almost drowned by the chopping of the heloes and the gusts of wind they created. "What are you doing here now, Moular?"

With that, the man lifted his goggles, revealing a familiar face below. Lieutenant Sulkava, one of the Black Pikes who had captured the Chalcedonian agent and his then-AWOL fiancée during the Rebellion.

Kuusaro Dam

"The name's not Moular, remember? Or are the Pikes really that careless? The Fifth Bureau was able to set up an operation to destroy the dam, and the only reason they didn't was because they made the mistake of ordering me along. That dead man" - pointing at the corpse of 'Dagger' - "was a senior Fifth Bureau agent, one of their best at fieldwork. The others were each specialists in their fields - tactical command, brute force, infiltration and disguise. Parnassia really pulled out all the stops for this one. What'd you do to annoy the bitch, anyway?"

A quick search revealed that 'Traveller' had made himself scarce, and 'Hornet' was just coming round when the sec. forces came upon her and took her into custody. Alexandrous had been hit twice in the flank, but nowhere all that serious.

OOC: It would be likely that my intelligence service would be trying to keep a eye on your primary fleet formations since we got interested in your civil war. They won't have precise details on your fleets but they will have something. I also want to know OOC what I'm going against so that I don't send a forces thats too small or too big.

Constantinopolis Secundus
New Chalcedon

"Roger that, WDC personnel. We're sending two platoons of Guardsmen to aid you. Please take no unnecessary action until they arrive. Octagon out."

(The Octagon is the central command structure of the Imperial Armed Forces.)

Five minutes later....

Two armoured vans pulled up to the WDC command post, each disgorging about a dozen heavily-armed and armoured personnel. One of them, an officer by the looks of him, approached the WDC personnel.

"Major....Kol, is it not? My name is Crispus Notaras, of the Varangian Guard. I'm impressed - we haven't yet been able to spot the transmissions from around here. Then again, the Fifth Bureau would know exactly what they're hiding from with us, so that stands to reason....where will we be the most helpful?" Notaras paused, and then continued, "Just be careful. Yevlena Parnassia is the head of the Bureau, as well as having been the Director of local operations for the capital for almost twenty years now, and she's one vicious bitch. And coming from someone who fought in our last civil war, that's saying something."


Major Kol had been looking over the operational map, pointing out specific buildings to his staff when the Vanangian Guard pulled up. Nodding to the gathered group commanders he rolled his shoulders and approached the guardsmen. "Yeah, I'm Major Kol, Wolverine Defence Corporation Counter Intelligence Unit, Callsign 'Dagger Fox'. No where can you be most useful? Follow me over to this display monitor and I will show you our plan." Kol beckoned Notaras over to the plasma screen TV. "Now if you look at this you can see an area outlined in red. That is the area we have narrowed the origin of the signal down to. These red lines on all the major routes in and out of the area we have had local police seal off, minor routes in and out are being watched by members from 'Dagger Fox 4' one of my field teams. The plan is to enter and search these buildings in yellow. For the two flats we are going to have ground units enter through the ground floor and for the three hi-rise as well as ground units hitting the ground floors, I am having my strategic response teams call signs "War Wolf 1 through to 3" fast rope onto the roofs and clear downwards, the two teams meeting in the middle. So it is up to you, reinforce the perimeter, or assist either of the two assault groups."

Blachernae District,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

"With your approval Major Kol, we'll head in from the ground up. Also, if you'll give me a moment with a computer, I'll get the official building plans so your team knows what's where." With a gesture, he beckoned one of his subordinates in bearing a tablet computer. With the ease of long practice, he accessed the city's network and brought up the plans, whilst issuing orders to his subordinate to divide the squad among the groups entering from the ground.

OOC: Here is the ORBAT you requested.

Osean Naval ORBAT

9th Fleet, commanded by Admiral Felix Reuter

The fleet has: -
6 Admiral Unkovsky Class Fleet Carriers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356151&postcount=2)
14 Ushakov Class Battleships (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356156&postcount=3)
25 Kazakov Class Battlecruisers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356156&postcount=6)
30 Ustinov Class Cruisers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356156&postcount=7)
45 Neukrotimyy Class Destroyers (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356156&postcount=8)
60 Orel Class Frigates (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356156&postcount=10)
19 Osyotr Class Attack Submarines (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356156&postcount=31)
6 Karelia Class Electronic Surveillance Ships (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14356156&postcount=16)

Thanks, Osea. You've now outnumbered Banton 2-1. You win, congratulations. I thought you said you *weren't* going for overkill.

EDIT: Concern addressed with the withdrawal of one of Osea's fleets.

OOC: My Apologies. I'll reduce it to one fleet. I'll also put up a IC post tommorow.

It's the direct combat ships that do it - with one fleet, Banton will have more carriers, but you'll have more surface combatants. But with two, you have more of both - far more of both. I really must start doing something about that (along the lines of giving my fleets far more screening vessels), but a civil war's *not* the time.

OBC News

Today, the Osean government has announced that the Imperial Osean Navy will be conducting large scale training exercises in international waters, apparently near New Chalcedon. So far the government has denied speculations that this is somehow connected to the civil war that has engulfed New Chalcedon.

............

Admiral Felix Reuter, the commander of 9th Fleet, which was the force that being sent to conduct "training exercises" was buisy doing the regular dutys that come with the rank of Admiral. He knew that they were not being sent to train, but for security reasons he was one of only a few to know that. The Osean High Command was extremely worried about their plans being discovered by Chalcedon agents.

This meant that all planning was done in the most secret of conditions and, that messages were delivered by messengers to avoid enemy intelligence finding out by intercepting Osean signal transmissions. As Felix reached the bridge of his flagship, the Osean carrier HIMS Admiral Kulikov, to check up on how long they had untill they reached their destination amongst other things, he hoped that these measure would be worth the irritation they were giving him.

Arola Military Base
Northlands Province
Northern Rangeria

The three apprehended New Chalcedonian operatives - Alexandrous, Kati and the still unidentified 'Hornet' - were taken away that night by helicopter away from Kuusaro while bomb teams had begun to dismantle the bombs that Kati had shown them. While even the native-born Kati was kept handcuffed and at gunpoint the whole ride, the Black Pikes - the elite, the best of the best of Northern Rangerian military - were by no means unmerciful: the field medics had patched Alexandrous up, and at their destination he was taken to the garrison hospital for treatment.

The following twelve hours had been long and arduous, though. Each of the surviving agents were interrogated, particular pressure being put on 'Hornet' to spill out the names of other operatives, their contacts, their hideouts and other possible targets in Northern Rangeria. She was kept separate from the other two, who - perhaps at the influence of Sulkava - had been given a joint cell. The Rangerians apparently had a lot to learn from interrogation technique; the cell offered at least a measure of privacy behind the solid door, even though the other "modcons" of the cell were limited to two stretcher beds and a toilet.

"I didn't see 'Traveller' with us", Kati whispered to her fiance as she held her close in the cell. "Do you think he'll cause any trouble on his own?"


(OOC: I'm a tad unclear still where the current battlelines are drawn; are for instance the ports of Messembria, Thessaloniki or Athens under the control of the Empress?)

(OOC: No. All three ports are under Michael's control. The only ports under Eirena's control on the "European" island-mass are Constantinopolis Secundus itself and Olcinium (equivalent to Ulcinj, in Montenegro.) I apologise for the lack of IC posting, but I have an exam tomorrow afternoon to study for. I promise, after that I will have time to start posting Icly again, as my exams will be done with.)

(OOC: Heck, no worries there, NC. As fun as NationStates is, RL certainly takes precedence. Kick some academic ass ;) )

The Oseans had promised to send Emperor Michael VI supplies. They intended to keep it and soon, the first cargo ships were leaving Osean ports loaded with the supplies that Michael needed for his war effort. This would only increase as more and more Osean ships were selected for the task and sent to collect their cargo.


Transmission fully encripted

To: Michael Doukas-Palaiologos, Emperor of New Chalcedon

We intend to send a group of military advisers by plane to discuss our overall strategy. Please prepare for their arrival.

OOC: New Chaledon, I ask that you don't have your intelligence service discover this or at least not shoot down the aircraft transporting my advisors.

(OOC: Shazbotdom, can you please respond to Eirena's request? I can't move events forward in C.S. until you do.
Osea, Banton's little conference call is secret IC - Parnassia didn't find out about it, and you have no way of doing so yourself.
NR, the battle lines are fairly simple: in terms of simple territorial control, Michael's forces control virtually the entire 'European' half of the Empire - give Eirena about one hundred miles around the capital itself, and most of the province corresponding to Albania and Macedonia. However, there is a lot of partisan activity and sabotage going on behind the lines for Eirena's forces, which is not returned in Eirena's 'Asia Minor' territory. The Republicans, based in Kastamonu, are making very little headway, and their only real hope is that the two Imperial factions will exhaust each other trying to claim the Crown.)

Imperial supercarrier Imperator
Flagship, Imperial Navy.

Isabella Banton paced her flag deck, deep in thought. Her comunit chimed, requesting her attention. "Yes?"

"The Hierophant has signalled, Ma'am. Admiral Scott is ready for the conference."

"Good. Start the conference."

The screen in front of the Grand Admiral lit up, divided into over a dozen sectors with each sector showing a different face.

"Ladies, gentlemen. I take it that you have reviewed the plans that I had sent to you?" Heads nodded. "Good. Joyce, how secure is this transmission?"

"As secure as we can make it, Ma'am. I doubt that even Parnassia can listen in on it."

"Good. Ladies and gentlemen, disregard the transmitted battle plans. We had them transmitted securely, yes, but not too securely, and a copy was sent to the Octagon, where I am morally certain there is at least one Bureau operative. We fully expect Parnassia to get hold of them. Which means that you should each be receiving a revised plan hand delivered within a few hours. Needless to say, keep this secure - I don't want anyone without a top-level clearance even knowing it exists. As far as the rest of the world is concerned, the original plan is the plan, and the initial moves for each plan are the same, and the formation is similar."

"Admiral Scott, your Twelfth Fleet will take the starboard, or eastern, flank. Admiral Preston, your Seventh Fleet will take the port, or western, flank. I will be in the center with Home Fleet, Fourth Fleet and the various other ships I've managed to scare up. Please read up on the new plan - it will call on you to act quickly and decisively in the battle, assuming there is one. Any questions?" Heads shook. "Good. Godspeed and good hunting, people."

***

Encrypted Transmission

To: Admiral Felix Reuter, CO, Ninth Osean Fleet.
From: Yevlena Parnassia, Director, Fifth Bureau of the Imperial Armed Forces.
Re: Intercepted transmission.

Admiral,

I presume that your fleet has been sent to nullify Eirena's control over Imperial waters. If this is so, you may find an intercepted transmission (appended) to be interesting. Once we broke the code protecting it, we found that it was a battle plan - to be specific, it was a copy of the battle plan for Admiral Banton's Home Fleet, copied to the Octagon (the Imperial Navy's central command structure) for information. An operative there noticed it and copied it to us.

In essence, the plan calls for the Fourth, Seventh, Twelfth and Home Fleets to form in a straight line, directly facing your forces - clearly, Eirena has learned of Osea's support for His Majesty. We will be investigating our security from that angle, and I suggest that Osea does so as well. In any case, the battle plan calls for the center of Banton's formation to move forward, then draw the Osean fleet backward, where submarines will be waiting to strike from the flanks. Additionally, Preston and Scott's fleets are to wait until the Osean fleet has been drawn to a predetermined bearing from all three formations, and then strike from each flank simultaneously.

I hope that you find this information useful. On a final note, the advisors that the Holy Empire is sending will be welcomed at His Imperial Majesty's side.

[signed]

Yevlena Parnassia,
Director, Fifth Bureau.

Novoa Hadrianopolis
New Chalcedon

Despite a string of successes which involved the surrender of Thessalonica by Eirena's forces, Michael couldn't help but feel despondant. Unlike his many previous visits, the mood of the people whenever he walked among them was tense, and anyone that he could see talked only of inconsequentials. Clearly, his popular support was faltering.

The arrival at the airport of the Osean advisors, however, did much to improve his mood. He greeted them in the command room of the Garrison, clearly eager to get straight to work.

Arola Military Base
Northlands Province
Northern Rangeria

Alexandrous was confident in his reply. "As I told them, Kati: no. His reputation is that of a spy and infiltrator, not an assassin or saboteur. He's almost certainly gone by now, probably via a northern airport or port under a different appearance and identity than the one he used to get in. But he won't be back anytime soon, either way."

Meanwhile, 'Hornet' was being remarkably co-operative, after an initial resistance. Whilst she had little information - as she explained, 'Dagger' had known far more than she had, she was able to confirm that it was Parnassia, who had ordered this, and further: that Michael himself had directly ordered Parnassia to strike at the Rangerians - something to do with a failed sabotage attempt against the main power station in Michael's temporary capital of Sirmium.

Osean Carrier HIMS Admiral Kulikov, 9th Fleet

Admiral Felix Reuter looked at the message and sighed. He had hoped to have more time. But he would have to act now, before the enemy fleet attacked him. So he turned to Captain Nicholas Zenker and said "The enemy is going to attack us soon. So we must strike first. Tell all carriers to have their aircraft to be ready for action as soon as they can. We will hit Banton's Fleet first then move on to the fleet to her starboard flank". Nicholas replied "It will take some time. We will have to use messengers just in case they have somehow broken our naval codes". Felix, now clearly moving on to other matters, replied "I know. Also, have a message sent to the ISB. Tell them that we might have a severe security problem and that they should check immediadly".

Novoa Hadrianopolis, New Chalcedon

Alexander Hintze, a member of the Osean High Command, entered the command room. With him were operations staff from the individual services of the Osean Armed Forces. When he saw Michael, he sharply clicked his heels and bowed to the man before saying "It is an honour to meet you, your Majesty".

Blachernae District,
Constantinopolis Secundus.


Major Kol's eye's lit up as the building plans lit up on his display screens. He had been working off the view maps they had managed to grab and thermals taken from the orbiting helicopters, making a mental note to thank the guardsman, he returned to the situation at hand. As the guardsmen dispersed between his units, he watched his display screens as his men’s transponders showed them moving into position. I was almost go time, all that had to happen now was all the units to check in, pressing the send button on his radio. "Major Kol to all unit leaders, report in"

"Ground teams...ready!"

"Support teams...ready!"

"Fire support group...ready!"

"Fast ropes...ready!"

"EMTs...ready"

"local police...ready!"

Only one more unit now, "Major Kol to Varangian Guard are you ready?"


Meanwhile, due to recent developments, The Wolf Hold itself had decided to get fully involved, to which end the following message was sent to the Empress.

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/2784/battletechclanwolf.png


Dear Empress Eirena

After an deliberation we have decided that now is the time to support our ever faithful ally. We are aware that Wolverine Defence Corporation has deployed to your nation, we also now wish to offer our full support be it in troops, naval forces or any other form of assistance you need. The Wolf Hold is at your disposal, we are saddened that your brother sees the need of such needless bloodshed. so to finish off, we are offering the full services of The Wolf Hold and her armed forces as well as those of Wolverine Defence Corporation.

Yours sincerely 1st Wolf's Marshall Cain

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

Before 'Hornet' would be allowed her rest in her cell, she was expected to write and sign her own confession, as well as offer any names and safe places she knew, security clearances and contacts back to the Fifth Bureau under Parnassia.

In the morning, the three captives were brought breakfast: oatmeal, bread, warm tea. Kati kept herself close to Alexandrous, apparently trusting that their willingness to co-operate would bear fruit.

Soon after breakfast, the door clicked and opened, with two armed Black Pikes at the doorway. One of them held up a pair of handcuffs.

"You", the man said gruffly and pointed at Alexandrous. "Hands in front."

(OOC: NC, how long shall we wait for Shazbotdom?)

(OOC: WH, I'm sorry about this, but I really can't move events forward at the Mangana - one way or another - unless Shaz either replies or says he's out. I'll TG him and hope for a response soon. I'll give him another day, and then act as if Minister Terrance was busy.)

(Osea, we have a problem. I've run up the numbers, and whilst one of the fleets you describe in your ORBAT is outnumbered, two would be far too much. Care to simply add a few ships to the one you have? In fact, given the launch numbers I posted below, feel free to add a significant number - but double is still too many. Remember just how incredibly tough your battleships are - I really must investigate the possibility of building some after this war ends.)

Blachernae District,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

"Captain Notaras to Major Kol. We're ready to move when you are."

Crispus Notaras wasn't lying. Frustrated by days of impotence at combating the Fifth Bureau's sabotage, the Varangian Guard were champing at the bit in their eagerness to get started. They would be leading the assault on the suspected B5 safehouse.

Imperial supercarrier Imperator
Flagship, Imperial Navy.

Isabella Banton noted the Osean fleet shifing formation into a combat array. "Joyce." Her voice, whilst not precisely tense, commanded instant response from her communications officer.

"Aye, Ma'am?"

"What signals have you intercepted?"

"None, Ma'am. We've broken their encoding, but they're only sending routine stuff over the airwaves. No formation orders at all, as far as we can see."

Now that's paranoia for you. Unofrtunately, it's paid off, at least for now....just like ours. "Sam? What can you tell me about their new formation?" Her tactical officer was quick to reply - apparently, he had already come to his conclusion about this shift of formation on the Oseans' parts.

"They're planning to hit our starboard flank, Ma'am. Hard, too, if those destroyers' positions is any clue." He indicated a group of light codes indicating the majority of the Oseans' destroyers having moved to positions from which they could fire without obstructing each others' angles.

"Joyce. Give me an open - cancel that, actually. They're not here peacefully. Pass the order - prepare to open fire." Joyce Metzinger carried out her orders, and astern of each of the capital ships of the Imperial fleet, lines of shapeless pods began to deploy. Not having faced the Empire before, the Oseans could only wonder what they were.

Meanwhile, aboard the Imperator, Banton's flag captain spoke up, his voice formal. "Ma'am, the Articles of War require me to remind you that the Osean Empire is a friend of the Empire, and we have no direct proof of their involvement in our civil war."

"Noted. Chief Bruno, please log Captain Metaxas' warning, and note that I assume full responsibility."

"Aye, Ma'am." The CPO's voice was tiny.

"Joyce, I want air cover, and I want it now. Guns," Banton didn't even wait for Metzinger's response to her order, "are we deployed?"

"Aye, Ma'am. All pods are deployed and ready to fire." Samuel Toras' voice was quiet but confident - he knew that he would be judged by his performance, not by the political fallout.

"Guns, set to Firing Pattern Delta."

"Aye, Ma'am." Toras paused. "All units confirm Firing Pattern Delta, Ma'am."

"Very well. Guns, you may fire when ready."

"Aye, Ma'am. Firing Pattern Delta, on my mark. Three, two, one, mark."

(OOC: Give me a moment to do the math, here.)

On the mark given by Toras, each supercarrier fired two Tomahawk-II missiles and each battlecruiser fired six, for a combined total from the Imperial fleet's ships of 432 Tomahawk-II class missiles. The smaller ships, not being equipped with Tomahawks, refrained from firing their Harpoon III missiles for some reason. However, this was where the pods came in. Each supercarrier had deployed twelve, each carrier six and each battlecruiser eight. When the firing order was passed, each tactical officer aboard each of these ships entered the order to fire, and each pod opened its launcher, revealing twelve more Tomahawk missiles, of which three were fired in the first launch. Individually, not so dangerous. However, given the numbers, Banton's ships had deployed seven hundred and seventy-six pods, which fired a total of 2,328 missiles.

The first launch was comprised, not of the relatively tame 432 missiles launched by the ships, but of a total of 2,760 Tomahawk-II missiles, and was targetted entirely at the six Osean carriers, on the principle that the Osean fighters would have to immediately hightail it to a safe landing zone if their carriers were destroyed, and also on the probability that one of them was the Osean flagship.

The second launch came ten seconds after the first, and was targetted at the Osean capital ships. The third was targetted at the Osean escorts, and the fourth reverted to the capital ships. At this point, the Osean electronic surveillance ships determined the reason for the destroyers' and frigates' self-restraint: each of them was directing and guiding a couple of pods' worth of Tomahawks instead of firing their own smaller, less capable missiles in order to gain greater accuracy. Clearly, Banton had learned a lot since her disastrous encounter with Admiral Dudic in the Bay of Holl.

Below the surface, the thirty-six Imperial submarines kept a diligent eye out for any Osean equivalents. Their job was not to attack the Osean formation - at least, not unless things went badly - but rather to prevent Osean subs from sneaking up on the Imperial formation.

(OOC: Northern Rangeria may remember the debut of the pod-launched missiles - they played a key role in his civil war, some time ago. Obviously, with the fourth launch, they are played-out. As, in fact, are the ships' own internal launchers, leaving Banton with her fighters and her escorts' Harpoons to continue the fight without getting into gun range. Which she really doesn't want to do - none of her ships are battleships in any sense of the term, and she knows just what your monsters will do to her if they get into gun range.)

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' was prepared to confess to only one significant thing: the aborted Kuusaro Dam attack. And as to surrendering what information she had about the Fifth Bureau, she wanted her freedom for that.

When the guard came for Alexandrous, he reluctantly let go of Kati, and as he was putting the cuffs on, he asked the guard, "What will become of her?"

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

The Rangerian interrogators were not in the slightest planning to release a valuable asset like 'Hornet' just like that. But they were willing to list her as a P.O.W., to be released in part of prisoner exchange or at the end of the conflict - provided that she co-operated.

In the cell, the Black Pike took one look at Kati who was standing in the center of the small cell, her eyes seeing only Alexandrous at that moment.

"Don't worry", the guard answered as the door swung slowly closed. "You will see her again. We don't kill our prisoners."

With that, the two guards began to walk Alexandrous down the cell block corridor. From narrow windows at the edge of the ceiling the rising spring sun was shining it. A beautiful day was dawning indeed, at least for those who would have the chance of enjoying it. The New Chalcedonian operative was escorted up from the basement-level cells to the ground floor, to a room that clearly bore the appearance of an interrogation room. A large mirror-window on one wall, two chairs and a table. The Black Pikes sat Alexandrous down and pulled a short chain from under the table, latching it onto his cuffs. With that, the two men left the room.

OOC: NR, I don't see much that my PCs can do. Read it that they're both waiting around - Traveller can't report for a couple more days, in any case. I *am* curious as to the Rangerians' plans for Alexandrous, though.)

Edit: Shazbotdom has replied to my TG, stating that he will post when he can. So the Mangana events will wait on his re-appearance.

OOC: I've edited my ORBAT to cope. While I am working on a responce, I just want to inform you that from my own calculations, your first launch to your fourth launch equal 11,040 missiles combined. I just want to know if this is accurate.

IC:
Flight Group Epsilon; T Minus 45 kilometers from New Chalcedonian territorial waters
The two Pelicans kept close to eachother in a tight diagnal formation as they were flying at Mach 1.2 towards New Chalcedon. In the back of one were 5 Marines and 5 SpecOps Marines while in the back of the other were 5 Marines and 5 SCS Marines. They were the emergency dignitorial security personel sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to help protect Minister Terrance.

5 of the Marines were armed with XR-01 "Crimson" Battle Rifles and XR-02 "Magnum" Handguns while the other 5 were armed with XR-06 "Big Blast" Shotguns and XR-02 "Magnum" Handguns. The SpecOps Marines were armed with 2 XR-03 "Falcon" SubMachine Guns for dual wielding and XR-02 "Magnumn" Hanguns and the SCS Marines were armed with XR-01 "Crimson" Battle Rifles and dual XR-03 "Falcon" SubMachien Guns.

Before leaving the Shazbotdom Mainland, the Marines and SpecOps Marines were briefed on the situation within New Chalcedon while the SCS Marines were briefed using a data upload into their suit's computer systems in flight through the Empire's satelite wifi-style network connection. Each of the men and women were highly trained in not only weapons but hand-to-hand combat for any type of fighting situation that they would find themselves in.

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

The pilot of Pelican Epsilon 1 opened up a communications channel. "Flight Group Epsilon to New Chalcedonian Flight Command. Approaching on vector Alpha Sierra Tango Three Two Seven. Requesting persmission to land near location Tango Tango Five Four Nine for deployment of 20 Military Personel. Over?"

OOC: Osea - yes, yes it is accurate. Suffice it to say that the Imperial Navy's tactical doctrine operates on the principle that 100 missiles are easier to replace than one capital warship. Shazbotdom, have you noticed that Terrance was requested to be with the Empress to go over a specific incident? It is important.

IC:

The helicopter's speakers relayed the Imperials' reply:

"Shazbotdom aircraft, this is Mangana Air Traffic Control. Be advised that the capital is not, repeat not, secure. Minister Terrance awaits you at the Mangana Palace, at which a helipad has been set aside for your use. Over."

OOC:
The Pelicans are not helecopters. I took them from HALO 3 and PMT'd them. ;)

OOC: Right, I'll put an IC post up once I can figure out a solution to that.

9 Imperial Avenue, Constantinopolis Secundus

A sharp knock on the door prompted Kostas Melenikos to open it. He was met by a thin, tall, uniformed Arab, carrying an armful of gadgetry and electronics. The soldier nodded respectfully at the grey-haired, black-suited diplomat.

"May I help you?" the old Greek inquired mildly.

“I’m here to check your room for bugs, sir. It won't take long.”

Melenikos moved out the way and the soldier stepped in, and started dumping gear onto the table and picking out this gadget or that. Another man followed him in, carrying dark blue bags marked with the diplomatic symbols of the Union Foreign Service, as well as an envelope sealed with the same Golden Sun.

"First communication." he handed the letter over, "Where do you want these?"

"I'll take them," the staffer handed the bags over and Melenikos walked across and sat at his desk, slipping a finger under the corner of the envelope and tearing it open.

"Mmm..." he muttered to himself as he read through the letter, and stood again. He walked past the soldier, who was now waving a complicated-looking electronic appendage over the threshold of the door, and out into the chaos of an embassy in the midst of being set up.

Melenikos dodged staffers until he located the man he wanted to see, a short, dark-haired Cypriot, and pulled him aside.

"Has the communications room been swept yet?"

The other nodded.

"A word, then." Melenikos drew the other man aside and through a doorway, which he closed behind him with a rather solid-sounding thud. The noise of the bustling room behind was immediately cut off.

"Soundproofed too? You work fast."

The reply came with a shrug, "Most important room."

"In any case, your first real job. I will be meeting the Empress tomorrow to present my credentials, very formal and all. We already know the official side of this story though. If you can start working on this now, that would be best - I'd like to meet with someone who can speak for the other side..."

OOC: I am going to proceed on the assumption that Minister Terrance has agreed to Eirena's request to meet her at the Mangana. And I apologise about the aircraft.

New Manth, you won't find any of the ex-Emperor's significant lieutenants anywhere near C.S. at the moment. I presume that's who Ambassador Melenikos was referring to, anyway.

IC:

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena sat on one side of the desk, the two representatives of her most reliable allies on the other.

"Gentlemen, I'm afraid that I have bad news. According to a reliable source of mine, the Osean Empire has decided to back my brother's claim to the throne. They've dispatched a powerful fleet to escort supplies and reinforcements to one of the Dalmatian ports that he controls. Whilst the Navy did a fairly thorough job of destroying the facilities as they retreated, it doesn't take much to unload cargo ships."

"I've sent Grand Admiral Banton out with all the ships I could spare, with orders to take any steps necessary to prevent those supplies reaching my brother. I cannot emphasise this enough - Constantinopolis Secundus cannot fall to Michael. Not only would he take out his anger on the citizenry, by long tradition, the owner of the capital is perceived to be the legitimate ruler by the provincial governors - if he takes it, my only recourse is to go into exile, as my own forces will desert me."

"Is there anything that the Empire of Shazbotdom or the Principality of Northern Rangeria are prepared to do to prevent this coming to pass?"

Eirena was interrupted by a chiming - her vidscreen was signalling an important call. "Please remain, gentlemen. That will be Grand Duke Komnenos at the Parilisan Peace Conference (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=591644), to report on his impressions."

The screen cleared into a good representation of Grand Duke Komnenos, in the communications suite of the Parilisan conference train. He bowed his head respectfully to his Empress.

"What news, Grand Duke? Have you made us allies, or, failing that, helped to end the war?" Eirena decided to cut directly to the point.

"In order, Majesty, yes and no. My impressions are as follows: the Wolfholders were appallingly badly-behaved, issung threats left, right and centre, refusing to agree to ideas that they had suggested and ultimately scuttling the conference. Frankly, I was aghast at their bad behaviour, and some of those on the other side of the table were almost as ill-mannered, although no-one went quite so far as General Fell. Whilst it appears to have ended on a reasonably good note - the participants have tentatively agreed to meet again - I, for one, would not hold my breath anytime soon."

Eirena leaned forward, toward the screen. "That is disappointing news, Your Grace. What can you tell me of these new 'allies' whose friendship you have secured?"

Komnenos was hesitant in his reply. "Majesty, may I present Mr. Arthur Lourdes-Owenson, the delegate from Brittanican Adenia, and Mr. Thomas Hollander, Deputy Minister for the North Atlantic Region for the Armed Republic of Salzland. Their nations are leading members of the Oceanic Defence Coalition, ODECON for short - the people who sat opposite General Fell at the table earlier today."

"Majesty, these nations, as well as the Empire of Lord Sumguy, have agreed to sponsor the Empire - your government being the recognised central authority within the Empire - for ODECON membership, committing any ODECON member to defend the Empire and its government if we should be accepted by the general membership."

He waited for the Empress to respond, which she was not slow to do.

"Gentlemen, greetings. My name is Eirena Doukaina-Palaiologina, and I am the Empress of New Chalcedon, the head of the executive branch of government in the Empire. I am intrigued by this situation, but tell me - will the Empire's joining of ODECON commit the Empire to declare war on the Wolf Hold over the current situation?"

She waited for a reply.

OOC: New Chalcedon, I hope this post is alright with you. Also, my advisors need a reply from Micheal.

IC:
Osean Carrier HIMS Admiral Kulikov, 9th Fleet

The Admiral seemed rather calm, something that would not be odd normally, but was rather bizarre given that he had a vast amount of missiles bearing down right on him and his fleet. But he knew that his ships were capable of handling it. So he watched as his ships responded by firing S-300Fs out of their launchers, which were, by standard practice, modified to fire them. They rapidly fired enough S-300Fs so that most of the Tomahawk-II would be hit by the SAMs.

But the sheer numbers launched meant that enough still got through to cause significant damage. Despite the efforts of Osean SeaRAMs, Goalkeeper CIWS and countermeasure launchers, one carrier was hit multiple times and rapidly sank while another carrier was servearly damaged and was forced to pull back. It was so heavily damaged that it was barely seaworthy and would require significant time in dock, if it survived the battle. The battleships and battlecruisers, despite their best efforts also suffered losses. 2 battleships and 6 battlecruisers were crippled. The losses from the escorts were also bad, 7 cruisers, 12 destroyers and 20 frigates were knocked out of action.

If not for the size of the fleet and the fact that the enemy fleet could not have much left to fight with, these losses would have been disasterous. Nether the less, Reuter silently berated himself for not acting before the enemy when he had the chance. But he knew he could still win the battle. His first action was to launch his carrier strike, which consisted of 80 Su-33 flankers from each carrier with the CAP from the destroyed carrier added to the attack. This gave him a strike force of 340 flakers, each armed with 6 R-27EM air to air missiles and 2 P-960 Anti-Ship Missiles (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14397805&postcount=30).

This would hit Banton's centre with their primary targets being the enemy carriers. Almost simulatiously to the carrier strike, the fleet launched a cruise missile attack of its own. The first salvo was directed at the centre of the enemy. 512 Type-80 Cruise Missiles (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14649643&postcount=33) were launched, with each of the enemy ships having 4 of the missiles directed against them. Then a second salvo was launched at the starboard flank of the enemy. While smaller than the first, was being targeted at a smaller force. This meant that each ship found itself targeted by 7 Type-80 missiles, equaling 427 in total. The Osean fleet then swung itself into the enemy starboard flank, hoping to finish it off and, more importantly, to cross the T of Banton's combined forces.

OOC: NC can I get a reply to my message and to clarify it was Vice-Wolf's Marshall Evans who lost his temper and was spouting off the insults and threats, Fell was the civil one who tried to orcistate the reconvening.

OOC: WH, it will be done in just a tick.

Imperial supercarrier Imperator
Flagship, Imperial Navy.

Why such a light launch? Banton was puzzled by this turn of events. Then she spotted the maneuvers, and, more importantly, their tactical significance.

"Fleet orders - all ships come about to zero-nine-zero relative to the Flag's current orientation. Let's keep the range open."

As her fleet moved to comply with her orders, their defenses started work on the Osean launch. Many of the Eurofighers had been launched from Banton's carriers previously - over one thousand fighters from the eighteen, and the frigates and destroyers began to fire Harpoons at the Osean fleet, primarily targeted at the carriers once again. From the one hundred and sixty-nine smaller vessels in Banton's fleet erupred six hundred and seventy-six Harpoon III SSMs, divided about evenly among the four less-damaged Osean carriers. This launch was, as with the Tomahawks, repeated three times at intervals of ten seconds. However, the targeting pattern was different - all three follow-up missile waves were dispersed among the smaller Osean ships.

The incoming Osean fire, despite its relative lack of weight, proved to be tricky, especially when the Oseans shifted their targeting based not on unit type, but on location. The first wave was fairly easily disposed of, with only a handful of hits amongst the Imperial formation. This handful, however, proved to be enough to send six frigates and eight destroyers to the bottom, whilst most of the larger ships' better defensive systems enabled them to escape serious damage. The sole exception was the carrier ICNS Theodora, a smaller Queen Elizabeth-class carrier, which found itself fatally unlucky in the incoming missiles - the shots targeted at no less than six smaller ships instead found their way to the Theodora, which lost drive power and started to list heavily to port, complicating the maneuvers of its squadron-mates.

The second wave was a different story, and Banton cursed when the display showed the ICNS Hierophant's screening battlecruisers take many hits - Admiral Scott had apparently ordered them to make themselves easier targets to draw missile fire away from the smaller ships. Three of Scott's fourteen battlecruisers were sunk outright, with another five too badly damaged to make meaningful further contributions. Of Admiral Ray Scott's fourteen battlecruisers, only six were combat-worthy after the initial exchange.

Meanwhile, in the air, the Osean fighters were overwhelmingly outnumbered but still able to get their shots off before they died at the hands of the enemy fighters who outnumbered them three to one or better. Whilst they managed to take a respectable toll of the defending Eurofighters - over one hundred fell to the Osean airwing - the fact remained that the Osean fleet was now effectively void of air cover. Meanwhile, their six hundred missiles proved to be a significant threat to Scott's beleaguered Twelfth Fleet: the remaining battlecruisers plus another five smaller ships were taken out of the fight, and two carriers took significant, although not yet crippling, damage.

Below, the remaining battlecruisers and carriers were given orders to "cut loose". The lines of towed missile pods were cut adrift, and within five minutes, after the fleet had completed its turn, they were beginning to reel out their second and final line of pods.

(OOC: Osea, my losses were: one carrier, all 14 of Scott's battlecruisers, 100 or so fighters and 19 smaller ships. And I'm afraid that your airwing was too badly outnumbered to have a realistic chance - Banton did have fifteen large carriers and ten smaller ones, after all. Regarding the missiles, it was established in "Eastern Thunder" that the pod-fighting concept was good for two strings. After that, they have to rely on internal launchers. Due to her losses, the second launch will be significantly smaller - the majority of the missiles come from the battlecruisers, and you got about a quarter of them. Her Harpoon attack, meanwhile, is a bid to strip your capital ships of their escorts.)

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

"I see."

Eirena hesitated a moment - she didn't like the idea of changing alliances for simple convenience's sake, but the fact remained that the CIN was demonstrably ineffective, and the Empire needed an ally. It was this factor that made her take the plunge.

"Gentlemen, Lady Basset, consider the application made. The official forms will be filed as soon as possible. Whilst we will retain our CIN membership for the moment, in the hopes that the CIN will be able to resolve its issues, our primary alliance will be ODECON as soon as we are accepted. However, this is contingent upon the Empire not being obliged to declare war on the Wolf Hold for the duration of our civil war - they are providing invaluable assistance to my government."

She turned to Minister Terrance, the Shazbotdom representative, who sat across the desk from her, alongside Ambassador Silander of Northern Rangeria.

"Gentlemen, I recommend that your nations also apply to join ODECON - strength in unity, after all."

She then received the Wolf Hold's invitation to send additional forces to join her side of the fight, and asked Silander and Terrance for their opinions as to her best policy response.

OOC: I need to point out that each of my Carriers has 100 fighters and they only sent 80 each. There are still 20 planes left for each carrier, for CAP and to deal with any ships that get too close. I guess that I should have pointed that out earlier and I again apologize. I also thought my missile attack was suitably sized. I thought that, given the fact that your fleet is has less escorts than mine and that my fleet doen't have the pods of your ships, it wouldn't be right for me to fire thousands of missiles at you.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

The news were indeed dire, especially considering how close the border between the two rival siblings' domains were to the capital.

"Your Majesty", the Northern Rangerian ambassador began as soon as Eirena had returned to the table. Johannes Silander spoke now as the ambassador, not as the friend he had been earlier. "We've received similar news in regards of the Osean fleet from our intelligence sources. And after discussing with His Majesty the Prince he has asked me to relay to you that we have begun mobilising some of our Black Pike regiments to be transported in defence of the capital. Also, as per our agreement about POW handling, the First Europa Battle Group is on its way to New Chalcedonian waters. At first their task was to serve as a naval relay station at international waters, but we have contacted the commanding officer, and they are prepared for combat duty."

(OOC: Here's the ORBAT for the Battle Group. And I know it's crappy; the technical side of things has always been my weakness.

- Tamerlane-class super carrier Syvänne
- half-strength carrier air wing (incl. 21 Hornets, 2 VTOL anti-submarine planes, 2 Eurocopter Dauphins)
- VTOL wing (10 transport VTOL planes)
- 3 x Turka-class destroyers (DESRON): Mickone, Thunder and Myrsky
- 2 x Shark-class frigates (DESRON)
- 2 x Arquebus-class missile frigates
- 2 x Sankt Gid-class missile destroyers
- 2 x fast attack submarines
))


Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

For a while Alexandrous had to wait, only the steady hum of the air conditioner breaking the othwerwise perfect silence of the interrogation room.

Then, the other door opened slowly, and the bright glare of the morning sun from the windows hit the New Chalcedonian's eyes, masking the appearance of the man who stood in the doorway.

"It would seem that Fate has decided to play a trick on us both, Mr Tastartis", a calm voice spoke from the doorway. A strangely familiar one at that. "I was hoping our next meeting would not have included a cell and handcuffs, but you and your fiancée managed to slip past our fingers."

The man stepped inside, the click of military boots against the linoleum floor, the creak of the door as it shut again. As Alexandrous's sight slowly returned, he could see he was staring at yet another familiar figure: the tall, grey-haired man in black livery. The same man who had interrogated him months earlier in Oulo.

Osean Carrier HIMS Admiral Kulikov, 9th Fleet

The Osean fleet did have a serious flaw, its lack of experiance. The Imperial Osean Navy had not fought a pitched battle for years. This would have been clear from the lack of weight of their first attack. But they were learning. First they dealt with the Harpoon attack. It was smaller than the first enemy attack, so they were capable of handling it relatively easily. One of the Carriers were knocked out and another was damaged, but still usable. 4 destroyers were destroyed, while another 3 suffered significant damage but were not knocked out of the fight. Adding to the casualty list were 12 frigates destroyed and 4 damaged.

There was still the CAP for 4 Osean carriers in the air, that had stuck close to the fleet. These were hopelessly outnumbered by the Chalcedon fighters. So they decided to engage the enemy just within the maximum range of their R-27EM missiles and then run as far as their Flankers would allow. The ship's approach to the Eurofighers was to engage them independantly with their SeaRAMS and Goalkeeper CIWS when they were in range.

Then, they launched another Type-80 missile attack. The enemy starboard flank was hit again followed by the enemy centre. But this time there were much higher numbers. The ships on the enemy starboard had 630 missiles launched at them, 15 per ship. This was not much more than the other Osean launches and still dwarfed by the New Chalcedon attacks. However, the following attack on the enemy centre consisted of 2,440 Type-80 missiles, 20 per ship with another 1,220 launched after it, this 10 per ship. With the forces to the enemy flank less important with the destruction of the battlecruisers, Admiral Reuter decided to have his ships go past those ships and attack the starboard flank of the enemy's central formation. Reuter thought to himself We need to get into gun range so we can deal with them. We will take too many casualties if we keep fighting like this. So he had his ships push themselve to the highest speed they could get to while staying in formation. They were to smash into the enemy formation and force them into a close-range gun engagement, which would favor the Oseans with their battleships.

OOC: Osea, I actually have more escorts than you. The wild card on my side is the missile pods; yours is those monsters you call batlleships. As far as missile launches are concerned, the governing factor should be the size of your forces, although I appreciate your concerns regarding fair play. Your first point is fair - regarding the size of your airwing, you had (a few) reserve fighters, however, your initial strike force of fighters would have to be written off, leaving you with only the reserves.

By my count, you're down to 2 combat-worthy carriers from six initial. Again by my count, you've lost 2 battleships, 6 BCs, 7 cruisers, 16 destroyers (and 3 damaged) and 32 frigates (and 4 damaged).

Regarding my fighters in this post, I thought about equipping them with the BrahMos II (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BrahMos#BrahMos_II) missile, but realised that they couldn't carry 2 BrahMos missiles and the four MBDA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBDA_Meteor) missiles that I assigned them, due to takeoff weight restraints. So I assigned them a loadout of 6 MBDA and 2 Taurus KEPD 350 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurus_missile) ASMs instead. The Taurus, whilst subsonic (unlike the BrahMos, which is decidedly supersonic), is slightly faster than the Harpoon and significantly harder to intercept.

I'm also reading your post as indicating a focus of fire on my battlecruisers, and writing accordingly. Tell me if I'm wrong in this, and I'll happily edit it. My targeting is returning the favour - we're not wasting a single missile more on your carriers, cruisers, frigates or destroyers. None of them have those enormous guns, after all.

Wolf Hold: I promise, I haven't forgotten about your communication. But whether Eirena will accept it depends on whether her application to join ODECON is accepted. If they take her, she'll regretfully decline TWH's assistance and instead offer her assistance as mediator in any renewed conflict between TWH and ODECON. If they decline her, she'll come home to the CIN and gratefully accept your forces.

IC:

Imperial supercarrier Imperator
Flagship, Imperial Navy.

Banton looked at the display sourly. Persistent bastards, too. Damn them, and damn that arrogant bastard Michael anyway.... Her voice, however, was as calm as ever as she issued new orders.

"Fleet orders. All units come about fourty-five degrees to starboard. Keep the range open at all costs. Any ships that can't keep up, scuttle and get the crews picked up by your squadron-mates." Then the Osean launch came in, and further thoughts were abandoned to the chaos.

Despite their superior anti-air defenses, the Imperial ships would almost certainly have been doomed but for one factor - their fighters, which were almost all in the air. The majority of them ignored the remaining Osean fighters, and instead powerdived to get the best firing angles they could on the incoming fire, using their own AAMs on the Osean missiles.

Admiral Scott's starboard flank was reasonably well-situated to deal with the threat: the 630 missiles were anticipated, and the defenses of his remaining ships were fully alert. 357 were shot down by SAMs in the outer interception zone, 148 were sent astray by the electronic trickery for which the Imperial military was infamous, and 91 were stopped by the last-ditch autocannons mounted aboard each of their targets. Of the 630 missiles, only 36 got through the teeth of Scott's defenses, and 4 missed entirely, leaving 32. Seven frigates and four destroyers took fatal hits from these, while the last nine hit the luckless Hierophant, and Admiral Ray Scott died instantly as his flag deck was torn to shreds around him. Whilst they weren't enough to sink the supercarrier outright, Captain Gates was hard-pressed to maintain the fleet speed demanded by Banton (let alone continue the engagement), and damage control teams worked frantically to keep the drives online.

The firestorm faced by the main body of the Imperial fleet, meanwhile, faded this into significance. However, all of the fighters assigned to defence had been assigned to defend against this launch, and the thousand or so Imperial Typhoons that had been assigned to defence destroyed 966 of the first launch, and 759 of the second before the ships engaged them.

The centre formation's defence was further assisted by Admiral Preston's port flank, which could engage the missiles with SAMs, although not autocannon. Another 342 and 329 missiles, respectively, were destroyed by this that would have been missed otherwise. For all of that, the remaining 1,132 missiles of the first launch dwarfed the 132 remaining of the second by the time they engaged the fleet itself.

The first launch lost 411 missiles in the outer interception zone, with another 349 wandering off-course due to their targets' EW efforts. Another 288 were shot down by the point defense of the Imperial ships, leaving 144 to strike the thirty-one battlecruisers that Banton's central force boasted. Five of these received fatal damage, and the sky lit up - the ICNS Atticala simply disappeared in an eye-tearing flash to become the sixth casualty of the launch as her unfired magazines of missiles went off. Four more battlecruisers were damaged beyond the ability to use missile pods, and another nine took varying levels of damage. Additionally, one of the prices paid by the Empire for its use of EW was that sometimes the missile acquired a new target, and several frigates took hits, one of them cutting power as a result. She soon detonated as her crew scuttled her whilst escaping to their fellows' ships.

However, now it was Banton's turn, and she demonstrated that she could master new tricks - specifically, the trick that Admiral Dudic of Volzgrad had taught her in the Battle of Holl some weeks previously when he had pounded her Fourth Fleet mercilessly. The order to fire was issued by her flagship, and all of her remaining battlecruisers and carriers set off their pods, supplemented this time with internal launchers.

The remaining fourty-three Imperial battlecruisers fired 1,032 missiles from their deployed pods, with another 129 from internal launchers. The massive supercarriers each towed twelve pods to the battlecruisers' eight, and the fourteen combat-worthy examples of these fired 504 missiles with no internal launchers to supplement them with, whilst the nine remaining smaller carriers carried only six pods, and fired "only" one hundred and sixty-two missiles between them, for a per-launch total of 1,827 missiles, a quarter down from the first launch - clearly, Reuter's fire had achieved something. As with the previous launches, this was repeated four times, albeit with a noticeable change in targeting: the Imperial launch ignored Admiral Reuter's battered smaller ships and carriers, instead focussing - for all four launches - on his battleships and battlecruisers.

However, Banton didn't stop here. After giving the first of the four launches thirty seconds' lead time (by which time the third volley was just being launched), she issued the order to Colonel Arl, the senior figher commander for the fleet. "Execute Attack Pattern Fusillade, Colonel."

Relieved to be able to attack, Arl responded with a gruff "Aye, Aye, Ma'am!" and broadcast the order: "All fighters, this is PriFly Fleet. Execute Flyswatter - repeat, execute Flyswatter!" One hundred and four squadron leaders and sixteen just-promoted 2ICs issued the order to their own aircraft, and every single Typhoon remaining to Banton's fleet, which had counted twenty-five carriers of varying sizes, went to afterburn power, following up the Tomahawks with their own Taurus-class ASMs. If the Oseans wanted to shoot them down, they could - if they were willing to divert their air defences from protecting themselves from the missile launch directly preceding the fighters. Every Typhoon that survived to attack range fired both of its ASMs directly at the Osean capital ships. If the missiles had already done a job on them, the order was to target the carriers instead.

Central War Room,
Novoa Hadrianopolis.

Michael Doukas-Palaiologos turned up the charm to full measure when he greeted the Osean representative. "Indeed, and a great pleasure it is for me to meet you, Mr. Hintze. My staff didn't indicate your rank with Osean military service, and I'm afraid that I'm not over-familiar with your rank structure myself. Please, what can I or the Empire do for you, to help you help us?"

Fifth Bureau Temporary Headquarters
Novoa Hadrianopolis.

Yevlena Parnassia sat behind her desk, going through the lists of intercepted transmissions to and from Eirena's territory. None of them pointed to any location of whomever leaked the Oseans' plans from their end. Perhaps it came from the Oseans' end.

Maybe, but somehow I doubt it. They're reasonably good at OpSec, whilst Michael really is just a gifted amateur at this - and he's got a weak point. Of course! She sat bolt upright in her chair. It must be that brat Constantine! But I can't prove it, and without proof.....her mind shied away from the image that a 'false' accusation against the Emperor's beloved brother produced. It might just be her head on the chopping block, after all. I really must keep closer tabs on our wonderful Crown Prince.

Parnassia began scribbling cryptic notes to remind herself of the insights that she had just gained, and then turned back to the business of weeding out the many and varied spies that her counterpart in Eirena's faction had attempted to install in Michael's during the chaos.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Eirena, also, had donned the mask of officialdom, speaking not as the lonely, heartbroken girl she had been earlier, but as an Empress. "Thank you, Ambassador Silander. The Empire appreciates the aid of Northern Rangeria in this conflict. I assure you, no restrictions on Rangerian access to any POWs will be emplaced throughout. And what of this offer to join ODECON? What is your reaction to this, Ambassador?"

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"Ah, the famous leader of the Black Pikes, himself. It seems that the sun shares your sense of melodramatic timing." Alexandrous was as irreverent now as he had ever been during their last meeting.

"I don't suppose that you'd entertain a last request for a couple of Paracetamol and some water to wash it down? Headaches, you know - being shot tends to dehydrate you the last I checked, which was all too recently."

Blachernae District,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Captain Notaras led his Varangian troops personally into the lower levels of the apartment towers. They hoped to avoid conflict until the location of the spies' safehouse was established, instead (relatively) quietly searching eacn apartment in quick succession, looking for espionage equipment such as datataps, sensitive earphones, tape recorders and so on.

They cleared the first two floors without incident, and wondered how the roof-squads of the WDC were doing.

OOC: New Chalcedon, your post is fine. Could you give me an idea on what the present land border between the two imperial factions is?

OOC: Thanks, Osea. As to the border, picture the current land border of Turkey - except that Michael controls "Edrine" (Novoa Hadrianopolis) as well as the rest of the Empire's "European" territory.

OOC: Thank you. I will put up a post to respond to yours tomorrow.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"I should have known the flare for the dramatic would be useless against a cynic such as yourself", the old man answered, a wry smile appearing momentarily on his face. "As for the water and Paracetamol, I would also have to uncuff you, wouldn't I? Can I trust you not to try and kill me with the cup afterwards?"

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus.

"We have already sent for additional naval forces, and hope that their presence may be of some deterrent to Osean troops. As for the Black Pikes, the 7th, the 9th and the 25th Regiment are sailing with the First Europa. They are only 3,000 men, but they are the Principality's finest."

OOC:
ALL CIN Members should check their Telegrams today. I sent out some important information

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"Just issue a plastic cup then, if you think so highly of my prowess." Alexandrous paused, then continued: "And then, of course, you can perhaps inform me of why the Rangerian authorities think that I'm untrustworthy. Given that Kuusaro Dam is still standing, after all....."

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus.

"Thank you, Ambassador Silander. Michael's hold on his forces is more fragile than it appears - one good defeat would be enough to send them into utter disarray. Leading, of course, to a second defeat, and so on."

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus
"So wait. An ally of the CIN is currently assisting the former leadership of whom is considered an enemy of the CIN? This isn't acceptable at all."

Minister Terrance opened up his laptop to check some records.

"This would mean that Osea is currently in violation of several section of the CIN Constitution. Including Article 2 and Amendment 1 to Article 2. If this information is accurate, then an ejection is warranted. Do you have digitized evidence oto show that they are indeed helping your brother that I can send to the Supreme Emperor?"

He then listened to her continue on.

"The Empire is already within several alliances. We don't really feel that we should join another. Although we will keep an eye on ODECON in case we may join in the future."

OOC: New Chalcedon, first I apologize for not responding to your post. I wish to point out that, even if I fired all my remaining VLS SAMs and have them all take out a missile, I would still need to deal with 3,660 missiles with my CIWS (which is one of the things of my ship designs I intend to improve after this thread is finished), without including your Fighter attack.

New Manth, you won't find any of the ex-Emperor's significant lieutenants anywhere near C.S. at the moment. I presume that's who Ambassador Melenikos was referring to, anyway.


ooc: Certainly I would not expect to find such people lounging around in the neighborhood of CS (and it doesn't *have* to be in person), but if it would be I would expect that Melenikos or one of his top staffers may be making a little, ah, field trip...

Next day

Melenikos straightened his suit one last time and tucked the heavy, thick envelope bearing the seal of the Golden Sun into his inside breast pocket. He turned at a knock on the door.

"Your car will be ready in twenty minutes, sir." the woman on the other side informed him as she stepped in, "In the meantime the protocol officer is waiting downstairs."

"Thank you, Zoe." Melenikos followed her back out the door, reaching into his pocket for a keyring and securely locking the office behind him.

Twenty minutes of Chalcedonian protocol later, he was sitting in the ambassadorial limousine, on his way to present credentials, and more importantly, to meet the Empress face to face.

Back in the embassy, now that the secure equipment had been installed in the communications room and diplomatic encryption procedures had been set, a few choice calls were made...

OOC: Osea, you knew the force levels I had when I offered you a chance to amend your order of battle - precisely because I believed that you would be overwhelmed by my missile strikes at your old force level.

You mis-used your fighters: in fleet battles with huge numbers of missiles flying around, their first role must be anti-missile defence, not offence. Utlimately, Admiral Reuter made a tactical blunder, and I see little reason to amend my post to give him an out from it, seeing as I don't mind wearing the results of such things when they happen to me.

Just remember how very tough your battleships are, and post accordingly - I have lots of missiles, but it will take most of them to put those beasts down. You're right - you have almost certainly lost the battle, because you mishandled your air cover: when I maake a point of how badly outnumbered your carriers are, sending your fighters off to attack my fleet is not the smartest choice available - in that situation, far better to keep them within the support range of the fleet.

New Manth: Noted and agreed. I'll think of something. But my internet access is about to run out - look for an IC post the next time I have access, all.

OOC: New Chalcedon, I guess you are right. It's likely the meeting between my advisors and Micheal will be interrupted by news of the battle and I think it would be better if you have Micheal react to the news first.

IC:
The Oseans did everything they could to save the battleships. They fired all their remaining S-300Fs, which had some effect on the number of missiles. Then the SeaRAMs, Sea Darts, Goalkeeper CIWS and countermeasure launchers on the Osean ships went into action. But it was hopeless. Despite their efforts, only 1 battleship survivived, with another 2 badly damaged. Two battlecruisers also survived, although badly damaged.

On his flagship, Admiral Reutar watched as the cream of his fleet was all but obliterated. He turned to Captain Zenker and said "There's no victory to be had here. Tell the fleet to fall back to ports under Micheal's control". The fleet soon recieved the order and disengaged from the battle, tired and dispirited at the losses they had suffered.

OOC:
Osea.
Sign up for the new offsite forums (located Here (http://cinheadquarters.x10hosting.com/)) and report to "Commonwealth Voting Discussions". Your nations future depends on it.

OOC: Here's how it is. New Manth, since you said "The next day", I'm going to RP you and the Empress interacting one-on-one, not with NR and Shaz's representatives present. But first, I need to wrap up the battle and the immediate reactions in the Mangana to Banton's report....

Imperial supercarrier Imperator
Flagship, Imperial Navy.

And that's how a battle is supposed to go. Isabella Banton was feeling self-congratulatory, having redeemed her earlier defeat at the Bay of Holl. Yes, her opponent had managed to drag what remained of his battered fleet into Epidamnus (OOC: IRL, this city is known as Durres, or historically Dyrrhachium), Michael's most significant port on the nearby Illyrian coast (where is was protected by heavy coastal defences), but she had noticed that not all of his ships had kept up. Specifically, one of the two crippled battleships showed signs of being unable to keep ahead of her purusing fleet, and she sent Admiral Preston to chase it down and hopefully get its surrender. Meanwhile, she had to make her report. "Joyce, get me the Mangana. I have an after-action report to make, and I'd like to make it directly to Her Majesty."

"Aye, Ma'am."

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Having sorted out the minutiae of the Empire's joining of ODECON with Minister Terrance, in order to assure the Minister that the Empire wasn't going to forget its past alliances, Eirena received a call from her desk unit. After glancing at the originator code, she took the call, asking Terrance and Silander to remain present to take witness.

"Ah, Grand Admiral Banton. You have a report to give, I take it?" The Grand Admiral's head and shoulders, along with the background of her flag deck, were displayed on the wall screen.

"Aye, Majesty. We encountered what was definitely an Osean fleet. We counted six carriers, thirty-nine capital warships, six support vessels and one hundred thrity-five smaller warships, including cruisers."

"We spotted them by recon flights: they were definitely making full power for the Epiran coastline, which is in your brother's hands. Per the standing orders issued by the Mangana, we moved to intercept the Osean fleet."

"As soon as they spotted us, they moved into attack formation - they did not, at any point, ask us for identification or attempt to explain their purposes for heading toward the Empire's coastline in time of civil war. Further, they had cleared their firing arcs to concentrate fire on our fleet's starboard flank. Interestingly, Majesty, they acted prior to the battle in a fashion consistent with their posession of information of our official combat plans - I think that I can use this to flush out a spy in the Octagon. Specifically, Ma'am, the Osean fleet was in such a formation as I believed indicated an immediate intent to fire on my forces."

"Combined with the fact that the Oseans had brought no logistical support ships along, I deduced that they had not come on maneuvers as claimed by the Osean government, and instead intended to clear the way for sea-based resupply of Prince Michael's rebellion. Accordingly, per the standing DEFCON, I opened fire on the Osean formation."

"In the resulting battle, it is my pleasure to inform you that we broke the Osean fleet. Of their carriers, only two survived, and virtually their entire screening force, battleships and all, was sunk. On our side, the losses were severe - twenty-four battlecruisers sunk outright or crippled beyond combat-worthiness, one carrier disabled, one severely-damaged, as well as thrity-one smaller vessels, with a further sixteen damaged. We have lost over three thousand personnel, with more causalty reports coming in by the moment."

"I have dispatched Admiral Preston to catch up with a lagging enemy battleship, with orders to capture her if possible. Further, Admiral Scott's Twelfth Fleet is undergoing SAR efforts to recover as many enemy personnel as possible."

Eirena interrupted for the first time. "Admiral Scott's fleet? And what of Admiral Scott himself?"

Banton replied, her voice heavy with grief. "Admiral Scott's flagship was struck by multiple enemy missiles, one of which hit the flag deck. Admiral Scott and his entire staff were killed instantly."

Eirena's voice was compassionate. "I see. Have you anything else to add, Grand Admiral?"

"No, Majesty."

"Then go about your duties with Our thanks, and Our condolences for your lost personnel."

Once the connection was broken, Eirena turned to Minister Terrance.

"There you have it, Minister. The Oseans were coming. They were coming without logistical support, which means that they were not engaging in maneuvers. They prepared to attack Grand Admiral Banton's forces, and she was forced to fire first. I want this matter to come to the immediate attention of the CIN, and until the matter is resolved, the Osean embassy in the capital will be closed."

Embassy of the Holy Osean Empire
#4 Imperial Avenue, Constantinopolis Secundus.

The company of elite Varangian Guard troops marching down Imperial Avenue was not an uncommon sight in these chaotic times.

Nonetheless, it was unusual for them to stop at an Embassy, and indicated that someone was in trouble.

At the door of the Embassy, the leader of the company announced himself.

"My name is Captain Matthias Stepanopoulos, and per the terms of the Embassy agreement made between the Holy Osean Empire and the Crown of New Chalcedon, I will see Ambassador-Count Renzler at once, on a matter of utmost urgency."

Mangana Palace
The next day

After a short interval of Imperial protocol, Ambassador Melenikos was shown in. He saw an elegant study equipped with the latest in modern technology, and one girl backed by two soldiers sitting behind the desk.

At his entrance, she rose and inclined her head. "Mr. Melenikos? I am Eirena Sofiana Doukaina-Palaiologina, and I am the Empress of New Chalcedon. I believe that you have some business with me?"

From: Helena Draskovic, Secretary to the Crown.
To: First Marshall, The Armed Republic of the Wolf Hold.
Re: Offer.

Your Excellency,

On behalf of Her Imperial And Serene Majesty, I am writing to inform you of the Empire's appreciation of the Wolf Hold's offer of help in our current civil war.

We gratefully accept this offer, however, given the changed diplomatic and military circumstances from the moment it was made, we will not hold the Armed Republic to it.

As ever, despite any diplomatic differences we may be having, the Wolf Hold is large in our hearts as friends of the Empire.

Regards,

Helena Draskovic
Secretary to the Crown.

(OOC: Apologies for not responding to this earlier.)

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

Oskar Nakhimov, the captain of one of the two surviving battleships of what was left of of the 9th fleet, was informed that enemy ships were closing in on them. He ordered that the ship was to be slowed down so they could catch up. He would wait for them to make contact first. He also had scuttling charges prepared, just in case they needed to abandon the ship.

Embassy of the Holy Osean Empire, #4 Imperial Avenue, Constantinopolis Secundus.

Captain Matthias Stepanopoulos was brought into a rather luxurious waiting room and told that the Ambassador would be there momentarily. And soon he was. Eric Reizler, Count of one of the many subdivisions of the Empire and presently the Ambassador to New Chalcedon, entered the room. He was clearly worried about the arrival of the Varangian Guard, he calmly said "Welcome and feel free to make yourselves comfortable. Is there anything I can do for you?".

Imperial supercarrier Princeps
Flagship, Seventh Fleet

Vice-Admiral Marius Preston was in no mood to fool around with the Osean ship. He ordered his three carriers' worth of fighters to launch, and opened a channel to the Osean battleship.

"Osean battleship, this is Vice-Admiral Sir Marius Prestion, of Her Imperial Majesty's Navy. I remind you just how severely outclassed you are, and offer you one chance to surrender your vessel intact, in her current condition. This offer is good for thirty seconds, at which point, I will launch my aircraft and sink your vessel. Should you surrender, I specifically require as a condition of your surrender that you tuen over all documentation regarding your fleet's mission. Failure to comply with this order will result in your surrender being void. You don't want that."

"Should you surrender, I can vouchsafe honourable treatment for your officers and sailors as prisoners of war. However, if you force me to sink your ship, given that your squadron-mates have made for ports controlled by the pretender Michael, I will execute any of your personnel that I capture on the spot, as befits spies and suborners."

"Your thirty seconds begins now. Please, Captain, don't surrender. I want the pleasure of showing His Imperial Mayonnaise just what I think of his adventurism within the Empire of New Chalcedon by mailing the bodies of his expeditionary force back to him. Over."

Embassy of the Holy Osean Empire
#4 Imperial Avenue, Constantinopolis Secundus

The Captain in charge of the detachment stood at attention.

"Count Reinzler, it is my duty to inform you that due to the Holy Osean Empire's support of the pretender Michael's rebellion, the Osean Embassy is being closed by order of Her Imperial and Serene Majesty."

"Her Imperial and Serene Majesty regrets this course of action, and urges the Holy Empire to forswear support of the pretender, especially as the fleet that you have sent to support him has been crushed by the Imperial Navy. Should the Empire reconsider its position, the Empress is prepared to discuss re-opening the Osean Embassy. However, in the meantime, the Embassy is closed, and all Osean personnel are declared personae non grata, to depart the Empire within twenty-four hours. Transport to a neutral nation has been arranged."

"By order of Her Imperial and Serene Majesty, my detachment of troops is now required to secure your Embassy. You may take any secured or confidential communications with you, as well as any equipment of a classified nature. All other fixtures are to remain on site, in hope of an amicable resolution to this problem."

Captain Stepanopoulos handed Ambassador Reinzler an ornate scroll.

"The decree to confirm this is contained on this scroll, Ambassador. My orders require me to secure an acknowledgement that you have received this."

Novoa Hadrianopolis
New Chalcedon

Yevlena Parnassia was hard at work, setting up the web that would entrap Prince Constantine and prove him guilty of treason, when the communicator chimed, signalling a request for her attention. She looked at the screen, and noted that it was a masked number, which piqued her interest.

I could get a trace on it, but why bother? Still, she put in a quick signal to Security to begin tracing the number, then accepted the call.

"This is a secured line. I am Yevlena Parnassia, head of the Fifth Bureau of the Imperial Armed Forces, and I am very curious as to whom you are."

(OOC: New Manth, that's for you - Parnassia is Michael's civilian 2IC).

Central War Room
Novoa Hadrianopolis

The news that the Osean fleet had been defeated did not sit well with Michael, for obvious reasons. His logistical support was beginning to show signs of cracking, and his offensive had stalled about a hundred miles from the capital - halfway between Novoa Hadrianopolis and Constantiopolis Secundus, in fact. In short, he needed the supplies and troops that Osea had promised, and he needed them badly - especially in light of the substantial military aid that his spies had reported Northern Rangeria offering to Eirena's faction.

He turned to the Osean advisors.

"I hope that you and your Emperor have some form of backup plan, Sir. Your fleet has been all but destroyed, and Admiral Reuter has retreated into Epidamnus. I've ordered the Commandant there to give him all the support he can, but it won't be much - the Navy did a good job of destroying the dockyards before they pulled out. At least the air defences there are heavy enough to defend Reuter from Banton's fleets."

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

Preston almost immediadly recieved the Oseans responce "We surrender and accept your offer". The crew then stopped their efforts to prepare the ship for scuttling and prepared to be boarded.

Embassy of the Holy Osean Empire, #4 Imperial Avenue, Constantinopolis Secundus

Eric, not having been informed of the Emperor's intent to support Micheal, cursed under his breath as he heard the news. He signed the scroll and then took a piece of paper and scribbled a message on it. He then replied "We will begin packing immediadly". He then handed the Captain the note that he had just written and continued "This note is for Her Imperial and Serene Majesty. It basically declares that we are ready to co-operate fully with the government of Her Imperial Majesty and that we hope that we are capable of bringing this crisis to a reasonable conclusion. It also states that we are considering her offer but will not be able to give a reply untill we have contacted our government".

Central War Room, Novoa Hadrianopolis

Hintze and the other Osean advisors suddenly looked as though someone had pinched them collectively in the stomach. There is not much we can do, except continue giving you supplies. Your main hope will be to capture Contantinople Secundus before the enemy's allies get into position. For this, you will have to defeat their ground forces. We recommend that you put pressure on one sector of the front, to draw in as much of their forces and reserves as possible. Meanwhile, you should secretly build up forces in another sector. This will give you the chance to launch an encircling movement on the forces drawn in. Once this is complete, the enemy should be weak enough to allow you to capture Contantinople Secundus. It will be hard to pull off but it seems to be the only option available".

Imperial supercarrier Princeps
Flagship, Seventh Fleet

Preston grimaced - part of him had actually been hoping for resistance, so he could justify blowing the Oseans out of the water. Still, they had surrendered.

"Osean Battleship, I am sending boarding parties now, which are accompanied by medical teams. They will see to your wounded and evacuate your worst-off to my carriers, which have intensive medical care facilities. The second group of boats will hold technicians to assist with damage control, as well as downloading the contents of your vessel's computer systems. You will, of course, provide them with full access and administrator privileges. Over."

The first wave of boats began to depart - six from each of Preston's three supercarriers.

Embassy of the Holy Osean Empire
#4 Imperial Avenue, Constantinopolis Secundus

Captain Stepanopoulos was all politesse.

"Certainly, Ambassador Renzler. Lieutenant Tastartis!" A fresh-faced young woman came forward at the Captain's command., and inquired "Yes, Sir?"

"A note from Ambassador-Count Renzler, regarding Her Imperial Majesty's decision in this matter. Also, Ambassador Renzler's compliments, and he would like to inform Her Majesty that he will contact his government as soon as possible to clear this matter up."

"Yes, Sir!" She took the note, picked up a pair of troopers to accompany her, and set off for the motorised transport at the entrance of the Embassy.

Central War Room,
Novoa Hadrianopolis

"You're right, of course. Antonius, let's get to it."

Two hours later, the Imperial team had assembled a plan, and presented it to the Osean advisors for review. The Osean advisors had been excluded from the initial formulation, it was explained, so as to give them an outside perspective on the finished plan.

"Here's the situation. This - " the pointer flashed at a city on the map, by the scale about 90 miles from the capital, "is Rhaedestos (OOC: IRL, this city is nowadays known as Tekirdag), the lynchpin of Eirena's attempts to hold the line. We propose an initial attack north and south of Rhaedestos, in order to draw forces away from the city itself. Then, we will attack Rhaedestos with all available air support, hoping for a quick victory. Given that this city is the HQ of the main line's defensive forces, the only remaining obstacle after that point will be the capital itself."

OOC:
Osea
Your presence is now requested on the offsite forums. Please click THIS (http://cinheadquarters.x10hosting.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8) link.

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

The crew of the Aurora were more than ready to co-operate, all of them certain that they would be killed if they didn't. They waited for the boarding parties to arrive, all the while preparing their wounded, of which there were many, for transportation to the enemy's carriers for the treatment they would need if they were to live.

Embassy of the Holy Osean Empire, #4 Imperial Avenue, Constantinopolis Secundus

With nothing else left to add, Eric left the Varangians to pack his things. Hopefully their leave would be temporary but there was no way of telling if that was right, so he wanted so ensure that he did not leave anything of value.

Central War Room, Novoa Hadrianopolis

Hintze replied simply with "It should work, providing the enemy does not find out about the plan. I would advise you against launching this operation untill you are sure that your plans won't end up in the hands of the enemy. While your time is limited, launching the operation while your security is compromised will guarentee that it will fail in the most catastrophic manner imaginable". He then looked at his watch and realising the time, said "Now, if you would excuse us, I believe that we should make a report to our Emperor immediadly to update him of the situation".

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

The arriving boats pulled up and tow sorts of peopel got out: Imperial Marines to secure the Aurora, and medical detachments to triage the wounded and take them back to the Imperial task force.

Neither group was particularly brusque - the legendary Chalcedonian attachment to formality and ceremony asserted itself once more now that the crews were out of immediate danger. The leading Marine spotted Captain Nakhimov, and made a line directly for him.

"Captain Nakhimov? Stepan Iskides, Colonel of the Imperial Marine Forces. A pleasure to meet you, Sir, and a pity that it must be under these circumstances. You may keep your sword, Sir; the Imperial Marine Corps trusts the word of a Captain of the Imperial Osean Navy. As you can see, the first load of wounded has been taken away; should I send for a second wave of medical transports to come after the security team?"

As he spoke, the crippled super-battleship's watchkeepers noted the second launch of boats, as per the surrender terms, presumably carrying the teams sent to secure all communications data.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena looked at the note that Ambassador-Count Renzler had sent her, and shook her head in sadness. A pity that it must be this way. Perhaps I was too harsh? She decided to call a meeting of her senior advisors.

Two Hours Later]

Eirena stood in the communications center, standing tall in her formal regalia. She made a miniscule hand signal to the technician, who tapped the touchpanel.

The request went through, to Vienna, requesting a direct monarch-to-monarch contact between Eirena and Emperor Alexius I of Osea.

Rhaedestos, Eastern Thrace

General Vania Destharnia looked around her temporary command post. The front was quiet - suspiciously quiet, if her previous contact with Michael was any indication. Silence from him was a sure guide that he was Up To Something.

"Andros, please call Silymbrya AFB - I want more air recon. I have a nasty feeling that Michael has a surprise in store for us."

Her comms officer grinned cheekily. "Any chance you could get him to tell us what it is, Sir?" (OOC Note: The Imperial Army uses "Sir" regardless of gender. The Navy uses "Sir" or "Ma'am" as appropriate. A distinction between the services. The Air Force follows the Army's usage in this case.)

"Well now, that'd take all the fun out of it, now wouldn't it?" Her only reply was another grin. "Get to it, you impudent rascal. I still have two banks of latrines that need cleaning and plenty of toothbrushes."

Half an hour later, there were significantly more scouts in the air. Which did them exactly no good as it turned out, for it wasn't hard to see Michael's advance.

(OOC: I love cliffhangers. I promise, the other haf will be up tomorrow when I have the time.)

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

The arriving boats pulled up and two sorts of people got out: Imperial Marines to secure the Aurora, and medical detachments to triage the wounded and take them back to the Imperial task force.

Neither group was particularly brusque - the legendary Chalcedonian attachment to formality and ceremony asserted itself once more now that the crews were out of immediate danger. The leading Marine spotted Captain Nakhimov, and made a line directly for him.

"Captain Nakhimov? Stepan Iskides, Colonel of the Imperial Marine Forces. A pleasure to meet you, Sir, and a pity that it must be under these circumstances. You may keep your sword, Sir; the Imperial Marine Corps trusts the word of a Captain of the Imperial Osean Navy. As you can see, the first load of wounded has been taken away; should I send for a second wave of medical transports to come after the security team?"

As he spoke, the crippled super-battleship's watchkeepers noted the second launch of boats, as per the surrender terms, presumably carrying the teams sent to secure all communications data.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena looked at the note that Ambassador-Count Renzler had sent her, and shook her head in sadness. A pity that it must be this way. Perhaps I was too harsh? She decided to call a meeting of her senior advisors.

Two Hours Later

Eirena stood in the communications center, standing tall in her formal regalia. She made a miniscule hand signal to the technician, who tapped the touchpanel.

The request went through, to Vienna, requesting a direct monarch-to-monarch contact between Eirena and Emperor Alexius I of Osea.

Rhaedestos, Eastern Thrace

General Vania Destharnia looked around her temporary command post. The front was quiet - suspiciously quiet, if her previous contact with Michael was any indication. Silence from him was a sure guide that he was Up To Something.

"Andros, please call Silymbrya AFB - I want more air recon. I have a nasty feeling that Michael has a surprise in store for us."

Her comms officer grinned cheekily. "Any chance you could get him to tell us what it is, Sir?" (OOC Note: The Imperial Army uses "Sir" regardless of gender. The Navy uses "Sir" or "Ma'am" as appropriate. A distinction between the services. The Air Force follows the Army's usage in this case.)

"Well now, that'd take all the fun out of it, now wouldn't it?" Her only reply was another grin. "Get to it, you impudent rascal. I still have two banks of latrines that need cleaning and plenty of toothbrushes."

Half an hour later, there were significantly more scouts in the air. Which did them exactly no good as it turned out, for it wasn't hard to see Michael's advance.

The lines north and south of Rhaedestos came under heavy shelling. Behind the barrage, two lines of Challenger-II heavy tanks raced forward to the shocked lines, and then....swerved. As Rhaedestos was sending relief battalions north and south, the attacking force swerved south and north, counting on the paralysed communications of the defence to steal a march on the defence - at the central command point of Rhaedestos itself.

(OOC: I love cliffhangers. I promise, the other half will be up tomorrow when I have the time. EDIT: Done. NR, Shaz, anyone with military interest, this will almost certainly be the climactic battle.)

(OOC: Argh... My apologies for disappearing for almost a week. Thesis writing + effed-up inner clock + relatives coming and going = not the ideal conditions for brainstorms)

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"Perhaps it has something to do with our covert messenger to the deposed emperor ending up as fishbait", the old man answered. And for a brief moment, his eyes showed emotion. Sorrow. Loss. But those were quickly overtaken as he stood up, the iron veil closing this breach into his private thoughts. He cast a quick glance towards the mirrored wall and nodded, then moved to Alexandrous and opened his handcuffs.

"Now then...", the old man said before he returned to the table. "Tell me, Mr Tastartis... Where do your loyalties lie in this conflict? Or is your first and foremost loyalty that which you feel for your fiancée these days?"

There was no hint of laughter or sarcasm in the man's voice as he looked straight into the New Chalcedonian's eyes. Just then, the door opened and one of the Black Pikes stepped inside with a plastic cup brimming with water, and a box of paracetamol. Without a word he punched out two pills on the table next to the cup, and left.

The Octagon
Constantinopolis Secundus

Following the meeting in Mangana Palace - and the Principality's deeper involvement in the crisis - a series of encrypted messages were sent from the Defence Forces High Command in Halsanki to its counterpart in the Octagon. The news were heartening: three regiments of the elite Black Pikes had arrived to the edge of New Chalcedon's maritime borders, and were requesting orders on deployment. The military liaison from the Principality had also divulged informent on these three regiments, acting as their de facto commander in co-operation with New Chalcedonian military authorities.

Each regiment consisted of a fighting force of 1,000 men, and the regiments were chosen based on their training as deep-strike and ilfiltration units. As such they had very little vehicles, but the First Europa and its VTOL detachment would secure deployment. The 7th Regiment, or "Duskers", were trained in night-time warfare and sabotage. The 9th, "Mermen", were specialists of coastal warfare, and the 25th, "The Leave-None-Behinds", were there as the reserve, to be deployed during retreat or to offer fire support for their comrades.

In other news, the Principality had also requested landing sites for their ground forces. Now that the situation in Arkadia had calmed down, they were willing to send a total of five Jaeger Regiments, or 25,000 men, to join in the defence of the capital. They would need 24 hours to join their New Chalcedonian allies.

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

Oskar's expression changed from wearyness to relief as he listened to the Captain. He seems very reasonable, especially considering we were firing at each other a short while ago Oskar thought before replying "We have many wounded and in urgent need of medical attention. We would be appreciate it if you did, Colonel Iskides".

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

The servants that picked up the message were unsurprised that the Chalcedonians did not know of the Emperors death, as it had happened very suddenly. But they decided to let the Crown Prince explain the details. So their responce was to merely accept the request. Quickly, they set up for the contact, which was done by turning on a web camera and a high definition screen for the Crown Prince, soon to be crowned Holy Osean Emperor. Once they were ready, the Oseans made contact.

Eirena was immediadly presented with the image of Crown Prince Joseph Habsburg, soon to become Joseph II, Holy Osean Emperor. His clothes were in a 19th century style and, oddly enough, was wearing a Tricorne hat. By the standards of nobilty, he looked reasonable enough, but there was a glint in his eyes that spoke of his strong intellect and possesion of the skills needed to rule. The room he was in was clearly designed to show the power of the Emperor, but it managed to do it in a way that was not overbearing or gaudy. Joseph was sitting behind a polished oak desk, which had a number of items on it, including a statuette of an eagle.

After waiting a moment to properly take in his counterpart in Constantinopolis Secundus, Joseph spoke up "Greetings. While I must inform you of my father's recent death, it is a pleasure to finally meet you, in a fashion". After a pause, he continued "If I am correct, the reason you have decided to contact us is related to the recent battle between our naval forces, correct? Well, I wish to inform you that the majority of Oseans, including myself, do not support the decision to support Micheal's claim and I hope that we can make up for the actions commited against against you and your people".

OOC: NR, it's fine. Stop stressing.

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

Colonel Iskides was all courtesy.

"Of course, Captain Nakhimov. It shall be done." He passed a signal to his aide, who started issuing calls through his comlink. "Ah, I see that the computer specialists are arriving, Captain. If you would be so good as to show us all to the computer systems, and remove the security barriers, we can get this done sooner. Also, Vice-Admiral Preston has requested the honour of your company, and that of your senior officers, at dinner this evening."

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Eirena looked wary at this offer from the Crown Prince, but continued gamely.

"No demands for reparations for your wrecked fleet? Very well. I, however, do have demands. If you wish the Osean Empire restored to the friendship of the Empire, I must demand firstly some form of reparations for the ships and personnel that we lost in the recent battle between our navies, as well as an immediate and total withdrawal of support for my brother's forces."

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

Alexandrous looked about to interrupt when the old man stated what had befallen his messenger, but let him finish before responding.

"Loyalty? It seems that every day, it grows harder to know what it is. I fell loyalty to Kati, of course. The Principality took me in. The Empire was my homeland, and my family is my family. So you probably know as well as I do what my ultimate loyalty is. But bear this in mind - when the chips were down, I didn't betray Northern Rangeria. Or the Empire. If it had to come to a choice between them, who knows which way I'd jump, especially with Kati addedto the tangle."

"But I can assure you of this: I hold absolutely no loyalty toward Michael or Yevlena Parnassia. The only reason I even went along to the mission - even to foul it up - was because Parnassia threatened my family."

The Octagon
Constantinopolis Secundus.

The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, one Marshal Destos Indelayne, was in charge of the place with the Grand Admiral gone on mission. After reading the Rangerian communique, he composed a message, and sent it to the Rangerian commander.

From: Marshal Destos Indelayne, Chief of the Imperial General Staff.
To: Rangerian Commanding Officer.
Re: Offer of Aid.

My comrade;

Tactical situation critical. Rhaedestos fallen to advancing forces. Deploy all reinforcements to the capital as soon as possible. Repeat, tactical situation critical.

Rhaedestos, New Thrace.

The lynchpin of the defence, Rhaedestos had come under especially heavy attack. After a day and a half of heavy fighting, General Destharnia was forced to issue the evacuation order.

On the upside, the offensive had cost Michael his elite armoured division, most of whom had led the assault and taken severe casualties, leaving him with ordinary troops to attack the capital itself.

However, with the fall of Rhaedestos, the ex-Emperor's armies were almost at the outer suburbs of the capital. Eirena's troops withdrew to behind the famed triple walls to defend the core metropolis, leaving the suburbs to Michael's advance after warning civilians to evacuate to the fortified portion of the city.

Imperial Command Vehicle Raptor
New Thrace.

Michael was in high spirits. It seemed that he would be the Emperor again, after all. His musing was interrupted by his aide, who deferentially placed a commdisk in front of him. When placed into the reader, it showed that Eirena had requested a meeting, at dawn the next day, with each of them to choose five retainers to accompany them.

Eirena had named Ambassador Silander as one of her five, as well as Grand Admiral Banton, who had flown back to the capital at the Empress' request, among others.

Michael was quick to accept, and named General Phodarkes, Prince Constantine and three others as his retainers.

(OOC: NR, is Silander happy to go along to the meeting? I figured that he might want to confront Michael in person - especially now that he knows Michael personally ordered the Kuusaro Dam bombing attempt.)

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

Joseph wasn't surprised that Eirena seemed to be wary of his peace offer. it was to be expected, considering the events that had happened. So he replied "We do not require reparations from you, nor do I think we particullary deserve any. We will indeed cut off aid to your brother immediadely and pay any reparations you request. In addition, I propose that we create an agreement between our two nations, mutualy recognizing all claimed titles by both of us and any legitimate successors to those titles for the indefinate future".

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

Oskar replied "Of course. Also, inform Vice-Admiral Preston that we will attend dinner with him". Then he gestured forwards and said "If you would follow me, gentlemen, I will show you where you need to go".

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"I see", the old man answered, looking straight into Alexandrous's eyes. It was if he didn't even wink, the only sign that he was even alive was the barely-noticeable rise and fall of his uniformed chest as he breathed. "Your fiancée said the very same thing of you. That your plan was to foul the Kuusaro operation. For that, we are grateful. As for your family... I have contacted elements of our intelligence service in New Chalcedon. They have been ordered to locate your family and, if possible, organize their evacuation to Arkadia."

"However, during your incarceration matters have... developed. The deposed emperor has begun an offensive for the capital. Tell me, Mr Tastartis, in your opinion as a New Chalcedonian and as a man who understands your native country's mindset... would I be correct in the assumption that this war can only end in the death of the Emperor or the Empress?"


The Octagon
Constantinopolis Secundus

From: General Elias Rakola, NRDC Expeditionary Force Miklagard
To: Marshal Destos Indelayne, Chief of the Imperial General Staff

Cousin,

Your message has been received and understood. Arkadia Jaeger Regiments will be deployed to defend the capitol, along with artillery support. Transmit any and all recon data related to possible enemy HQ locations and depots so that First Europa may deploy sabotage teams.

Constantinopolis Secundus

Thanks to the escort of the Principality Navy, the Northern Rangerian expeditionary force, codenamed Miklagard, had been deployed with relatively little trouble to the capital. Five regiments and a total of twenty-five thousand men and women had wasted little time, but had started to dig in, waiting for the attack. The heavy tracks of self-propelled howitzers grumbled on the streets, and recon planes from First Europa had begun their flights over the warzone, trying to avoid being shot down.

The Arkadian regiments were not, however, the first to arrive. Twelve hours prior, while Rhaedestos was still a contested zone, individual teams of the 7th Black Pike Regiment were secreted behind enemy lines, with a single standing order: to do everything in their power to disrupt communications, sabotage convoys and yes, if the opportunity presented itself, "liquidate" members of the enemy command structure. In essence, they would hamper the encroaching army's advance by partisan activity, with very little if any support from the main expeditionary force.

(OOC: NC, to be honest, Silander would be happiest if he could put a bullet in Michael's brainpan for that. But he'll be there - and behave himself like an ambassador should.)

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

Tastartis hesitated a moment before responding.

"I don't know about Eirena, but Michael....yes. He may not even know it himself, but he is incapable of forgiving others. He will never forgive Eirena, or her supporters. If he regains the throne, there will be a sea of blood to pay afterwards. It's why he was deposed - he could never forget that a Senator had deposed and murdered his father, and so spent years punishing the Senate for that."

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

The computers had been vacuumed of all interesting data, the injured had been evacuated to the carriers, and the dinner had gone fairly well - Preston was a polite host, if something of a stickler for rank.

The next morning, Preston commed to the Aurora, passing the orders he had received - he was in command in the abscence of the Grand Admiral, the only person who outranked him in the assembled fleet. The order was to move offshore at least one hundred fifty nm, with the Imperial ships keeping station, and then to hold position, pending a change in the tactical situation or another attempt to break the blockade.

Mangana Palace
Constantinopolis Secundus.

"I see, Your Highness. Very well - here are my terms." Eirena looked to want this matter put aside as much as Joseph did.

"First, the Holy Osean Empire will make an official statement recognising my authority as Empress over the Empire of New Chalcedon. Providing that that point is central, the wording is entirely up to you. In exchange, we will reopen the Osean Embassy, and send observers to represent the Empire's goodwill at your forthcoming coronation."

"Second, the Holy Osean Empire will forfeit the remains of Admiral Reuter's fleet, whole and in their presnet condition, as reparations, including equipment that would normally be considered classified. By all reports, there isn't much of the fleet left anyway. We will send all Osean personnel back to Osea in comfort and at our expense. In exchange, when the civil war is done with, we will contract through an Osean shipbuilder the construction of a new dreadnought design - the Empire doesn't build that kind of ship ourselves, and recent events have made it painfully clear that we need them. Also, we will provide services regarding electronics upgrades to the Osean Empire."

"Are these terms acceptable, Your Highness?"

The Octagon
Constantinopolis Secundus

Primary enemy HQ located at Novoa Hadrianopolis. Secondary HQs at Lozenra, Tristatis and Orestias. Godspeed and good hunting, General Rakola.

Gate of Saint Peter,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena looked over her small party as they prepared to depart for the arranged truce-meeting with her brothers. They were ready, it seemed.

As the six of them arrived at the hill which had been specified, they saw an equally-appointed group approach it from the east. It was Michael.

As the two parties reached each other, Michael was the first to open.

"So. Little sister. You've won all the battles. Except those which count. I'll give you one last chance to surrender - I believe that I owe Father's memory at least that much." Then he noticed Silander. "And here I was thinking that we'd agreed not to bring unhousebroken pets to the meeting. For shame, sister. For shame." His handsome face was twisted by a slight sneer.

OOC:
I was planning on writing an epically large post...but my wrist is fucked from playing like 14 songs on RB2 on hard...

Expect something tomarrow.

Osean Battleship HIMS Aurora

Oskar, again at the bridge of Aurora with his bridge crew, sent a confirmation of his acceptance of the order. The battleship, although damaged, was capable of keeping up with the New Chalcedon. So, it went with them to the ordered location, unsure of what lay in store for it and it's crew.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

Joseph's expression remained calm, despite the fact that he was about to lose the remaing ships of an entire numbered fleet, however few they were, and would therefore would have to rebuilt the entire fleet from scratch. He could live with that, but there was one thing still giving him irritation.

So he replied "I am willing to accept those terms. But there is one thing I ask of you. I request that you promise not to hand over any classified information you aquire from those ships to any countries you consider to be allies. Apart from that, I have no other points of contention with your terms".

********

Once the negotiations were done, the Oseans sent out a number of orders, differently encripted than before to ensure that they were not read by anyone they were not supposed to be read by. They were very simple, but it was important to ensure they could not be overheard by Micheal.

The convoys of supplies were immediadly halted and any ships sent were called back. The advisors were also called back. Hintze and the other Osean advisors quickly and quietly left, barely even leaving a note of their departure. By the time anyone capable of doing anything about it found out, their plane was already over international waters. The remnants of 9th fleet were told to act as if nothing had changed for now, but to prepare for an attempt to break out of the port and join Eirena's ships.

********

Later on, Joseph made an official televised announcement. It was done in the same room that he had his talks with Eirena in. In it, he first went over the events that had happened at New Chalcedon concerning the Oseans. Then he rennounced the Osean actions in support of Micheal and his claim to the throne of New Chalcedon. He finished the message by recognizing Eirena as Empress of the Empire of New Chalcedon and declaring his support of against her brother.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena was quite relieved that this was the only problem that Joseph had with her proposal. "Your condition is quite acceptable, Your Highness. The Empire of New Chalcedon will not share any technical data we gather from the ships being turned over. In the meantime, I should inform Ambassador-Count Renzler that he should move back in." Eirena smiled, and then continued more solemnly: "On a somewhat more official note, I offer the Empire of New Chalcedon's condolences on the death of your esteemed father, and our congratulations on your accession to the throne. May you rule long and wisely, Your Imperial Majesty." Inclining her head, she cut the transmission, and then went to her office to find Renzler.

Basil II Memorial Airport
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Renlzer was about to board the aircraft when the Imperial aide caught up with him.

"Count Renzler? Count Renzler?"

Novoa Hadrianopolis,
New Chalcedon.

Yevlena Parnassia had remained behind to oversee operation whilst Michael was meeting his sister, and it didn't take her long to note the departure of the Oseans. By then, they had already fled out of her reach, but she still had one trump card to play. She called the Port Authority at Epidamnus, seeking the Commandant of the Naval Base there.

Then she called Michael. His reaction was, predictably, unprintable, and he issued a new set of orders for her Fifth Bureau agents. She had no intention of following them - she could see a sinking ship when she saw one.

Epidamnus,
Dyrrhachion Theme.

Admira Felix Reuter woke up the next morning to an unpleasant surprise: the port's missile batteries had targeted his battered ships, and the Commandant wished to speak with him.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna

Once Eirena cut the transmission, Joseph leaned back into his chair. There was still more to do, but it would mostly be sorting out the details. I know some will think that I should have pushed harder in those negotiations, including Anna Joseph thought. Well, I know I have got the best conclusion possible for Osea, and thats enough for me. He then went back to doing his usual work, confident that there would be no serious problems to deal with, at least for the foreseeable future.

Basil II Memorial Airport, Constantinopolis Secundus

Eric was just about to board the aircraft that would take him to a neutral country when an aide caught up to him, calling his name. He thought Things might have been sorted out. But, considering my luck recently, he might just be here to tell me I've forgotten something. Se he replied "That would be me. How may I help you?".

Epidamnus, Dyrrhachion Theme

Felix was servearly irritated when he was told that the port's missile batteries were targeting his ships. Can I have a little bit of good luck for a change? was what he thought as he walked up to his bridge. Once there he told them to contact the Commandant. Once that was done Felix said "Not to be rude, Commandant, but why are you targetting my ships?".

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"Hubris", the man muttered. "The demise of every great monarchy."

"I believe I can trust you, Mr Tastartis. And for the people I work for, trust is at a premium these days. However, there is one matter I would like to discuss with you further. You are expected to report on the progress of the mission, no doubt? In the case of the task force leader's death, you would still have the means to contact the Fifth Bureau at your disposal, correct?"

Gate of Saint Peter
Constantinopolis Secundus

Ambassador Johannes Silander was giving out a message of his own by his garb. Instead of the usual civilian finery a man of his station was expected to wear, he wore his old dress uniform: dark grey with nigh-Spartan decorations, the pips on his collar and the insignia on his shoulders and upper-arms marking his rank as captain, along with a single medal attached to his chest, a stylized scarlet teardrop, with two small, parallel-lying gold arrows over it. He was dressed like a soldier, only leaving behind his service pistol but carrying the ceremonial knife on his hip.

His eyes narrowed at Michael's quip. "In respect for the royalty present, I will disregard that. Even if it comes from a man who kills unarmed men for sport."

Orestias
(NC, if this is too much of a godmod, lemme know. I'm posting in the wee hours and my judgement may be clouded ;) )

While the diplomats talked and intelligence personnel discussed, another kind of debate was about to start in Tristatis, one of the secondary HQs of the Emperor's forces. With bridges spanning the River Evros, such a place was certainly valuable to hold for the Emperor, should he wish to continue his advance towards the capital.

That day, however, a new kind of light was to brighten the day of those residing there. In silence, a team of "Duskers" had smuggled themselves to town during the night. And in the morning, when one truck driver was starting his vehicle in the Thrace-side depot, he also triggered a bomb. The truck blew up in a ball of fire, as pieces of metal, burning rubber and what little had remained of the driver pelted the surrounding area.

The first explosion was only the overture, and in his hideout in one abandoned building, a remote detonator was pressed, setting up another explosion, this time in the fuel depot. The detonation itself was minor, but it was enough to expose the fuel to fire - with consequences you did not require a degree in Chemistry to predict.

(OOC: NR, not at all, as Michael had thought that Parnassia gave him an effective monopoly on CovOps. However, he's not stupid - the other targets will be on much higher alert now.)

Gate of Saint Peter
Constantinopolis Secundus

Michael's eyebrows rose in apparently genuine puzzlement. "Tell me, Johannes, do you refer to my treatment of the traitors I've captured thus far? First, I've only executed those caught directly in arms against my forces - the Crown. Treason is treason, and must be stamped out. I assure you, I certainly have derived no "sport" from it. On the contrary, I've dealt with it as a distasteful but necessary duty." For a moment, his eyes were bleak, and shadowed with sorrow. Then he continued:

"Tell me, Johannes, was your opinion of me always this low, and you're simply an excellent liar? Or have you believed everything she" - his gesture indicated Eirena, who watched with interest but gave no indication of interrupting - "told you about me? She hasn't liked me since I called her a sissy when she was seven and I was eleven. And don't forget - whichever of us wears the crown, Johannes, my sister and I are both royalty, hence my offer. So - be nice to both of us." Michael's face wore the teasing smile that it had many times when opposite a chessboard from Silander.

Novoa Hadrianopolis Central Command,
New Chalcedon.

Parnassia had just received word of the disaster befalling Orestias - the enemy hadn't been able to pinpoint all of the communication lines, and one of her agents had gotten word out.

Near panic, she immediately gave orders to double the guard, and start setting military-grade precautions around all sensitive targets, civilian and military alike. If this inconvenienced said civilians, too bad for them.

In the meantime, she could clearly see which way the tide was turning. Oh well, a good shot. But second-best nets only the death penalty, last time I checked. She began entering codes that would transfer tens of millions of Denarii to offshore numbered accounts and packed a quick-extraction pack, in case things went from worse to worst.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Antonias Schuyler was not a happy man. The word had just gotten out: someone, not Fifth Bureau, had destroyed the command center at Orestias.

As the primary resident at a similar CC, Colonel Schuyler rather thought that some improvement in the guard was called for. This is what you get for listening to spooks. Oh well, best just not hope that I'm too late.

Moments later, the sirens of Condition Amber sounded throughout the base - the entire area was closed off to civilian personnel, and the killing fields were cleared.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Colonel Maria Archamia was, unlike Schuyler, rather happy to see some real action. Instead of turtling inside her base, she gave orders to send out platoon-strength patrols, and placed transport helicopters on standby to send out rapid response forces.

Just let them get past this, the sneaky little bastards. It had been too long since Colonel Archamia had had a good fight.

Orestias Forward HQ
New Chalcedon.

Now the commander of the base with Colonel Antonina's death, Captain Basil Metaxas had two handfuls of problems. With his customary energy, he set about having the fires doused, the injured treated and stocks of remaining assets taken.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"I see where you're getting at. Unfortunately, Parnassia wasn't stupid. She knew that I'd 'gone native', and acted accordingly. Hornet, to the best of my knowledge, was the designated backup reporter. Still, you have her too, which is good. Be warned - coercing her is unlikely to work. Standard procedure includes added or removed codewords that can send entirely different messages without being even close to obvious. I'd recommend that you let Kati speak to her - Kati said that Hornet wanted no part of this anyway - and offer her a deal."

Basil II Memorial Airport,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

The aide proved to be a tubby little individual, who puffed and panted as he manfully tried to catch the Count. "Count Renzler, I bear news from Her Imperial Majesty - the closure of the Osean Embassy is revoked. Her Imperial Majesty further requires me to inform you that she has dealt with your new Emperor personally regarding the matter, and come to a mutually-acceptable conclusion. You may once again reside in the grace of the Crown, Ambassador."

Epidamnus, Dyrrhachion Theme

The Commandant, one Commodore Peter Georgiou, was not inclined to waste words.

"Admiral Reuter, the Osean Empire has declared for Eirena and against Emperor Michael. In light of this information, I have received orders to take control of your ships. You will immediately surrender your ships and personnel into my custody, or I will open fire. You have thirty seconds to reply - and rest assured, you and yours will be treated as your rank provides for, as I understand the reversals of politics." There was compassion in Georgiou's eyes, but no give.

"Your thirty seconds begins now."

Gate of Saint Peter
Constantinopolis Secundus

"'Traitor'? Is that what they call messengers these days?", Silander spat out. "And yes, you execute armed men - and have those who come to you without weapons as a show of goodwill killed like dogs."

Noticing Eirena's eyes on him, the Northern Rangerian officer breathed deeply, apparently forcing himself to swallow what he was going to say to the sneering man next. Well played, Michael, he thought to himself. Just like in a game of chess; taunt and tease until I lose my temper.

"As for Her Majesty", he then continued, his voice calmer now. "what we have discussed is not mine to divulge. As for my opinion of you, it is the same as my liege's: we believed you were a better man than this." With that, he turned his eyes to Eirena and bowed. "Your Majesty, pardon my reaction. But I could not let an insult to my person go unchallenged."

Orestias Forward HQ
New Chalcedon.

The burning depot proved to be a resilient opponent, as gasoline-fueled flames consumed whatever matter they could reach, the heat igniting several other fuel tanks before they could be properly contained. Black, oily smoke billowed out into the air, as the Emperor's troops worked to contain the fire.

Despite the loss of life and materiel, however, the depot was only a distraction. A decoy to lure as many troops and personnel away from the primary target.

While the fires burned, a check-point along the waterfront was silenced with quick knife thrusts and silencer shots. Two sappers slid into the water, with explosives strapped to their bodies in water-proof bags. They swam their way to their targets: one to the central pylon, the other to the Thrace-side of the dock, and began to set up charges while two other "Duskers" observed the scene from rooftops, concealing themselves in their pale, sandstone-coloured camo cloaks.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Nonetheless, there were a few unwelcome surprises in store even for Schuyler and his men. Like the retreating Loyalists during the Aho Rebellion, during the previous night the Black Pikes had poisoned one steady source of nourishment that all soldiers enjoyed: coffee. The doses were by no means lethal, but it would surely be detrimental to troop morale and effectiveness when nausea began to set in, followed by the feeling of vomiting and losing bowel control at the same time. Especially when the condition hit epidemic numbers.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

The enemy, however, proved annoyingly elusive. Either they were avoiding a direct confrontation with a numerically superior enemy. They were still out there, however, as during the course of the day power and telephone lines were severed at several locations outside the city proper, causing momentary disruptions of electricity and civilian communication.

However, there was one prize target that was being observed in silence: the relay tower in the hills. Without a sound, unseen eyes were watching the site from a distance, trying to discern if the local C.O. had placed troops to guard this piece of telecommunication equipment.

(NC, how far do these patrols go? On foot in town, or do they take APCs out into the countryside as well?)

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"We have attempted that, yes", the old man answered, leaning back in his chair. "And you are correct. She drives a hard bargain; one we have been unable to approve as of yet. But if you believe your fiancée will be able to get through to her, I will allow it."

He then nodded to the mirror, and a soldier stepped inside, readying the handcuffs. "I don't think those are necessary, private", the old man said calmly and stood up. "Take him back to his cell, and in half an hour bring up the two women in here."

As Alexandrous was getting up, the old man straightened his jacket and watched him go. "Oh, I almost forgot", the old man said in a tone of voice that betrayed the falseness of his 'forgetfulness', especially in his accented Chalcedonian. "Congratulations."

Basil II Memorial Airport, Constantinopolis Secundus

Eric grinned as he heard the aide declare that the closure of his Embassy had been revoked and that the whole situation had apparently been brought mutually-acceptable conclusion. Clearly pleased, he replied "Thats excellent news. Please tell Her Imperial Majesty that we are pleased that the situation has been resolved and hope to continue working with her people for the forseeable future. Now, if you would excuse me, I need to inform my staff of this".

Epidamnus, Dyrrhachion Theme

Felix replied "I will surrender if that is what you wish. But I am sure that you realise how hopeless the situation is for your Emperor. Micheal has no allies, while Eirena has many. Micheal is not recognised as Emperor, while Eirena has the recognition of many nations. Finally, the seas around New Chalcedon are controlled by Eirena's ships, not Micheals. These factors ensure that, no matter how much luck shines on him or how much skill he can muster for his campaigns, Micheal cannot win.

Now, you are probably wondering why I just went over those facts for you. Well, that is because you, as Commodore, are responsible for those who work under you. Considering that your side is going to loose, it does not make sense for you to risk the lifes of your men further by attacking my ships when it will achieve absolutely nothing. Expecially when I could aid your prospects one this war is over.

So, here is my offer. You will let me and my ships leave unharmed and, in exchange for this, I will promise, unto god as an officer of the Imperial Osean navy, that I will do everything in my power to ensure that you and your men do not end up suffering for standing by your Emperor in this war".

Gate of Saint Peter
Constantinopolis Secundus

Michael was livid. "And, of course, messengers come armed and ready to sabotage critical installations under cover of "diplomatic neutrality"? You're pathetic, Silander - Parnassia's men caught him in the act, and yet you continue to lie to me. How stupid can one man be?" He turned to Eirena, clearly done with the Rangerian for now.

"Your answer, sister?"

Her voice was clear and steady. "No, brother. I will not surrender to you. As Father put it when surrounded by Melepotas and his men, "Sovereignty is not mine to give." Leave my lands, brother. Leave at once and bring on your assault."

His only reply as a curt nod, and he turned and left.

An hour later, the assault began, although for some reason the souther flank seemed to have trouble co-ordinating with the rest of his army.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Colonel Schuyler proved to be more quick-witted than his opponents had thought - as soon as the initial reports came in, he ordered the coffee supplies destroyed, as well as those of other commonly-used foodstuffs. He also very publicly brought civilians onto the base, clearly intending to use them as food-testers.

Orestias Forward HQ
New Chalcedon.

No doubt, the Rangerian operatives must have found the explosions of the docks to be highly satisfying - the piers and loading equipment went up in spectacular fashion, putting paid-in-full to the use of Orestias as a transport hub for at least the next two months.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Colonel Archamia was no man's fool. Whilst the power and telephone lines were too spread-out to effectively guard, she had heavy guard detachments at key locations, such as the rail depot, the docks and the relay tower. Further, a zone was cleared around each of these locations to make sneaking up harder.

Not satisfied with the lack of contact, Archamia decided to change tactics. Instead of sending out patrols, she forted up in several key places and instead sent out large expeditionary forces, aided by Fifth Bureau operatives, with one mission: hunt and kill the elusive saboteurs.

Soon, one of these forces picked up a whiff - a vineyard owner reported under interrogation that he had heard people pass by the previous night.

(OOC: As you can see, she's varied her tactics from patrolling to hunt-and-kill approach. Each strikeforce is heavily equipped, with an emphasis on speed and flexibility. Archamia is a rising star within the Army - tough-minded and flexible by nature, with a penchant for aggressive tactics. Schuyler, on the other hand, is quick to react but slow to initiate. A good base CO, but weak against asymmetrical warfare.)

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

Alexandrous was puzzled. "Congratulations? Oh - on the engagement." He blushed like a schoolboy. "Thank you, sir."

'Hornet' was waiting for her captors - she knew that it was only a matter of time before they realised her value.

Epidamnus, Dyrrhachion Theme

Peter Georgiou's face was sad, but unyielding.

"Admiral, whilst I appreciate your offer, I have my orders, and I will obey them. Please surrender your vessels at once - however, I can make arrangements for you and your crews to be repatriated to Osea, if you wish."

Basil II Memorial Airport,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

"Certainly, Ambassador. I'll leave you to your duties." The functionary bowed, and retreated.

Message Heavily Encripted
To: Her Imperial and Serene Majesty, Eirena, Empress of New Chalcedon

I have decided, as a gesture of goodwill, to give you military support. First we intend to provide supplies to Constantinople Secundus along with Osean troops to bolster the defence of the city. We also believe there is an oppertunity for us to inflict a serious defeat to Micheal's forces. Presently, his forces are around Constantinople Secundus in their efforts to besiege the city.

What we propose is that we launch amphibious assualts behind the siege lines at both sides of the coast. The forces will secure beacheads then attempt to join up with each other. The besieging forces would be trapped in an encirclement and would be cut off from their supply lines which should allow us to swiftly finnish them off. Please send a reply as soon as possible.

Sincearly,
His Imperial Majesty, Joseph II,
Holy Osean Emperor,
Archduke of Austria


Epidamnus, Dyrrhachion Theme

Felix's face also was sad as he heard Peter's reply. After a moment he said "I understand your reasons and respect them. But, as an Admiral of the Imperial Osean Navy, I cannot hand my ships mostly intact over to an enemy, especially since I consider it likely they could end up being used against allies. I therefore must scuttle my ships instead. I'm sure you understand that Commodore and I ask that you to be ready to pick up us up as we leave the ships".

Gate of Saint Peter
Constantinopolis Secundus

"Well... that certainly went well", Silander muttered to himself as he looked at the young Empress, trying to read her expression, to understand what she was going through at that moment. After all, she had been quite quiet, saying only what was needed after the quarrel between the former Emperor and the ambassador had calmed down.

The hour passed with last-minute preparations among the Northern Rangerian troops. Jaegers and anti-tank crews dug in where they could, herding civilians away from what was to become their first line of defence. Deeper in the city, mobile howitzers were already seeking firing solutions, preparing to pound incoming troops before they would be within firing range for the Arkadia Jaegers.

The German-made Panzerhaubitze 2000s showed their claws early on. As Michael's troops began to advance, the fast-load howitzers spoke in a thunderous voice, the cannon lowering a few degrees before another volley went out not two seconds later. From the distance, the howitzers looked like they were firing blank from their positions, but then all hell broke loose among the advancing infantry and tanks. One of the fast-load howitzer's most destructive abilities was the MRSI fire: Multiple Rounds, Simultaneous Impact. The firing angle was lowered after each shot, so that each howitzer's first five shots came down simultaneously. No misshots, no shooting from the hip: only a barrage of death from above, five shots from each of the twenty-or-so howitzers behind the walls. And as the explosions began, the howitzers were already on the move, grinding their way towards a new firing location.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The soldiers herding the civilians towards the barracks had their share of trouble, however. Being spread out, they were being picked off by unseen snipers - or found dead on the streets with their throat slit open. One of the soldiers actually fell, barking his commands to the freightened "civvies" - until he suddenly stopped on his feet, a sickening 'thud' heard from his mouth. For a moment he stood completely still, until his comrades could see blood spilling out from his mouth - and from the exit wound at the back of his head. It was almost comical in a macabre way how the man just fell down, his eyes staring at the sky in a manner that could only be read as "What the fuck was that?".

Orestias Forward HQ
New Chalcedon

The ensuing panic from the new wave of explosions was also put to good use, as the "Dusker" snipers spent a good part of the day picking up anyone with more than a private First Class's pips. Among themselves they would later compare how many and of what rank they managed to take down in the confusion - a bottle of vodka going to the soldier who would be sharp-eyed enough to take down the C.O. before they retreated from the city. There would be plenty more fighting ahead...

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

If there was a tracker among the New Chalcedonians, he could see that a group of men had indeed went through the gardens that night. They were good, however, leaving very little signs of their passing, the trail cutting off at a narrow creek that the vineyard owner used for irrigation. They must have waded up- or downstream from that point on, either towards the hills or towards the city.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

The old man barked a small laughter. "Ah yes. The engagement. Of course", he just said, a knowing smirk on his face.

Half an hour later 'Hornet' was brought up to the same room and handcuffed to the chair. But instead of a stern-faced interrogator or a man with a car battery and jump cables, it was Kati who stepped inside from the door. She, too, had two Black Pikes escorting her, but she stepped inside without cuffs and without any prodding from the two men.

Once the doors were closed, she turned to 'Hornet'.

"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice and eyes betraying genuine concern. "I was afraid they might rough you up for information..."

OOC: Okay......go away for several days and bang.....it all kicks off. I am to tired to read back after 5 days of camping. All I need to know is there anything that will effect my forces and if the answer is yes, I will read it tommorow

The answer is yes: the Cint team is still waiting on your participation.

IC:

Gate of Saint Peter
Constantinopolis Secundus

Eirena's face wasn't giving anything away, but her eyed betrayed a certain curiosity. When her party was well back from the meeting point, she asked Silander, "Michael referred to a saboteur you sent to him before he lost his temper with you. What do you know about that?"

(OOC: The assault, and my response to it, will start ten minutes after both parties are back among their lines.)

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

Colonel Schuyler had had enough. He ordered up a radio transmission for the surrounding area, blanketing all frequencies.

"Unknown saboteurs, you will turn yourselves in at once. For every hour that passes until you have, I will order an artillery barrage on Lorenzra from the safety of my base. I estimate that between two and three thousand civilains will die in the first barrage, which will begin in ten minutes."

Orestias Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Damn that arrogant, incompetant bitch, anyway. If she'd only established basic precautions, but no....."We have the Fifth Bureau on our side.... we have nothing to fear." Idiot.

Captain Metaxas gave the order to pull out toward the capital - all vehicles capable of full speed, and all APCs started moving at once, picking up troops and taking off toward the capital, which by all reports was about to come under attack.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Oh, good. A challenging opponent at last. Colonel Archamia was a happy woman - the Navy's strategic pre-eminence had led to her facing few worthy opponents. She decided to send most of her vehicles into the flat lands surrounding the town (downstream of where the tracks had broken off), and most of her personnel, supported by armed helicopters on fast-response, upstream into the hills, ordering them to excercise extreme caution - these people were good. She also ordered the helicopter pilots to keep their distance until called by the ground personnel - people this smart were likely to have AA cover, and she didn't want her copters wrecked.

In the meantime, she decided to have two companies of the garrison move upstream, converging on the vehicles' position, and have the base's four Chinook helicopters on rapid take-off standby, each with a squad of troops inside, to respond to sudden contact. If the unknown opponents had come downstream, they'd get caught between a rock and a hard place.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' was rather sanguine, given her position. She smiled lopsidedly at Kati as she entered.

"Ah, Kati, isn't it? No, they're still at the "We're asking nicely" stage. And I'll tell you what I told them: I didn't want to take part in this operation. Quite frankly, I'm grateful that you shot me in the back - it saved me from making a tough choice. But if you want my help, if you want me to betray the organisation I've served all my life, whatever the justification, I want my freedom."

Epidamnus, Dyrrhachion Theme

"Admiral Reuter, kindly remember: whether we take you or kill you is our choice. I would strongly recommend against scuttling your ships. If for no other reason that the battle which will decide this war - Michael's assault on the capital - will begin in about an hour. I seriously doubt that we will have the time to take your ships, familiarise ourselves with their uses, repair and rearm them, and confront Banton's vastly superior fleet before this matter is settle one way or the other."

"If it helps, Admiral, I do have enough latitude to do this: I give you my word that the ships will not be used against Osea or her allies. We just don't want them used against us, and scuttling them would be a waste."

***

From: Her Imperial and Serene Majesty, Eirena IV of New Chalcedon.
To: His Imperial Highness, Joseph II, Crown Prince of Osea.
Re: Offer of Help.
Encryption Level: High.

Your Majesty,

Your offer of help is most appreciated and gratefully accepted. Whilst the battle for the capital will begin shortly - and this sending reinforcements is a step too late - assistance in rolling up Michael's forces in the provinces will be most useful. Singidunum is especially an excellent target, as it is barely fourty miles away from Sirmium, Michael's temporary capital.

[signed]

Eirena Doukaina-Palaiologina
Empress and Lady of New Chalcedon.

Message Heavily Encripted
To: Her Imperial and Serene Majesty, Eirena IV of New Chalcedon

Excellent. We will begin preparations at once. May we both achieve success in the battles that await us.

Sincerely,
His Imperial Majesty, Joseph II,
Holy Osean Emperor,
Archduke of Austria


Epidamnus, Dyrrhachion Theme

The Admiral was clearly thinking his possible choices over. After a moment his expression changed to sad acceptance of the situation he was stuck in. After sighing, he replied "All right, you can take my ships. I suppose I can trust the word of a Chalcedonian Naval officer. I hope things work out for you Commodore ". Then he cut off the link at his end and began preparations to leave his ships.

OOC: New Chalcedon, I hate to bother you with this but I need some information from you. Would it be possible for you to give me an idea of what forces Micheal has in Singidunum and any forces near enough to be moved quickly there if an attack was launched?

Gate of Saint Peter
Constantinopolis Secundus

Silander sighed and shook his head. "I only heard about it yesterday. I suspect you know how much the Prince valued the friendship of New Chalcedon, on a very personal level. The man they captured wasn't a saboteur. He was one of the Blood Tears, and a messenger of the Prince. I don't know the particulars, but I was informed by the dead man's father - a close advisor of Mikhail's - that the Prince was asking Michael to step away from the path he had chosen."

The Rangerian ambassador shook his head in a moment of silence. "He went there unarmed and openly, that brave son of a bitch - and they killed him for it."

(OOC: Oh. In a previous post you said it was an hour. Oh well...)

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

"Choose your next words with caution, colonel", came an answer after two minutes. "Or there will be a day when they will come back to haunt you. It is not often we hear a man is willing to murder thousands of his own people to kill his enemies."

Orestias Forward HQ
New Chalcedon

Even trying to leave the city proved to be trouble, as the major roads were blocked with mine fields, and many tunnels and bridges had been detonated between Orestias and the capital. The mines could be removed, but it would still take precious time. Or there was the possibility of leaving the vehicles or taking the narrow rural roads towards the city.

(OOC: I'll post the rest later today. I'm not feeling too well...)

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

The saboteurs continued to prove elusive, apparently knowingly avoiding contact with a numerically superior foe as Col. Archamia poured more troops into the hill country. But what men could not find on foot, the helicopters picked up: a thin line of smoke, rising from a small grove of trees, surrounded by steep, bush-covered cliffs.


Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

Kati chuckled a little and sat down, looking at 'Hornet'. "I'd ask for your name, as you seem to be aware of mine... but I can tell you'd probably just laugh that off", she spoke, a small smile touching her lips. "I'll deal with you fair and square, though. No games, no mental cat and mouse. I get enough of that from my fiancé."

"I shot you in the back simply because I wanted to guard my back. I remember what you said, but I was afraid that when faced with a choice, you would have sooner shot me than your C.O.. I hope you can forgive me for such doubt. As for your request... I understand that they've offered your release at the border once the war is over, correct?"

OOC: No time for an IC post guys, so I'll just let you know: I'm going offline for the next four or five days: I'm flying back home, and it's a long trip.

I swear, the next time I log on, it will be to get this to its conclusion.

OOC: Don't worry, we're not going anywhere. Plus I have to say I really like this RP ;)

(OOC: NR, tunnels and bridges destroyes is reasonable. Minefields are not, not for covops. Setting minefields takes lots of manpower. I would ask that you withdraw that part.)

Singidunum, New Chalcedon.

The key port of Singidunum was badly under-staffed - Michael had drawn all of his forces for the assault on the capital. Two destroyers whose captains had sided with Michael's revolt comprised the naval garrison, whilst the city's garrison numbered barely four thousand troops - second-liners at best, unfit for the front lines.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

"No, Captain. Leave them be - our job isn't to kill them, it's to protect the installation. Bring your forces back at once." Colonel Archamia was determined not to lose sight of her primary goal - which had to be her opponents' primary objective. Still, she thought that a pot-shot might not be a bad idea. "Captain, have some helos use standoff shots. If there's any cover between them and where they need to be to fire at the smoke column, abort - we can't risk those birds."

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

Colonel Schuyler was almost amused by the impertinence.

"Saboteurs, I am confident in the tribunal that will judge the events of the war. And you now have eight minutes."

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

Alright, old man, time to think outside the box. Bridges - destroyed. Tunnels - destroyed. Now, how else can I get there? Then Captain Metaxas had a thought.

A few minutes later, the mobile bridges were deployed to the forward, flanked by tanks and APCs who acted as a security screen. Wherever they found a cut bridge, they deployed and allowed the column - less than half of Orestias' garrison before the attacks - to cross, then folded up afterwards and raced to the front for the next one.

(OOC:Mobile bridges exist today and are used when one's opponents cut such things, in order to minimise inconvenience. He has exactly one of them - knock it out, and he can't get to the battle with his thousand troops.)

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

The battle had just started. From the northwest came the elite shock-troops of the Imperial Army, who had sided with Michael. They assaulted the Blachernae district, intent on retaking the secondary Imperial palace before pushing on to the Fortress of St. Paul. From due west, the regular troops, supplemented by a significant armour detachment, counted on the St. Peter Fortress to be distracted by the southern assault, and drove hard for the downtown district, where the Mangana itself was. Compared to these, the southwestern assault lakced co-ordination and vigour - the Rangerian operatives had had an impact on Michael's order of battle.

Eirena's forces responded to the assault with professional discipline. The General Staff judged the northwestern assault to be the most dangerous, and accordingly asked their allies to concentrate their efforts on that front, to prevent the capture of Blachernae, or failing that, to defend the Fortress of St. Paul. The central and southern fronts were judged of less importance, although the defenders made efforts to bog down Michael's troops in the central assault.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' shrugged. "Given the circumstances Kati, you did the best you could by me. I certainly have few complaints, as I'm not sure what I'd have done." She took a deep breath, and then turned to the central issue. "As to the offer, the problems are two in nature. First, if I betray the Fifth Bureau, I'm burning my bridges back home - in fact, I won't have a home irrespective of the outcome of the war. Second, POWs face war crimes tribunals. As a covert operative, I've done some things that would undoubtedly be looked upon dimly by the judges. I want immunity and some kind of assistance with resettlement or a new identity after the war, in exchange for co-operation. Oh, and a nice cup of peppermint tea would be very helpful." She smirked as she said the last sentence.

Singidunum, New Chalcedon

Soon, the Osean taskforce was approaching Singidunum. They had managed to assemble a large force for their assault. Since it was likely that the enemy would react immediadely once they found out about the assault. Once in range, they began to heavily bombard the enemy with cruise missiles. The two enemy ships were targetted with 5 cruise missiles to ensure they were taken out. Once that was done the ships would move in to support the landings with their guns, which would be started immediately once the cruise missile attack was done. The 1st Mechanised Infantry Division was to be sent in first and would be the unit that would take on the 4,000 troops that formed the garrison of Singidunum. Once they had established their beachead, they would drive on towards Micheal's Capital, Sirmium.

Vice Admiral Chernyshov watched from his bridge, on the HIMS Westfalen, as this happened. He knew he had the advantage. But his enemy was in defensive positions so they could make this very bloody if they try hard enough. He would have to be very alert.


Osean Taskforce ORBAT
Naval commander: Vice Admiral Nikolai Chernyshov
Land commander: Lieutenant General Ferdinand von Arnim

2 Admiral Unkovsky Class Fleet Carriers
1 Kiev Class Fleet Carrier
3 Kazakov Class Battlecruisers
5 Ustinov Class Cruisers
12 Neukrotimyy Class Destroyers
3 Osyotr Class Attack Submarines
2 Karelia Class Electronic Surveillance Ships
* numberous auxillary and landing vessals

Osean VI Army Corps
- 3 Mechanised Infantry Divisions
- 2 Armored Divisions

Mechanised Infantry Division (not including logistics)=
- 120 T-91 Fox Main Battle Tank
- 600 APC-2 MT-LB
- 500 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle
- 80 2S19 Msta self-propelled guns
- 40 BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launcher systems
- 20 BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launcher systems
- 45 2K22M Tunguska air defence system
- 15 S-400 air defence system
- Miscelaneous light vehicles, trucks, etcetera
Personnel Strength=20,000

Armored Division (not including logistics)=
- 60 T-100 Tiger 2 Heavy Tank
- 560 T-91 Fox Main Battle Tank
- 260 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle
- 400 APC-2 MT-LB
- 80 2S19 Msta self-propelled guns
- 40 BM-27 Uragan multiple rocket launcher systems
- 20 BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launcher systems
- 45 2K22M Tunguska air defence system
- 15 S-400 air defence system
- Miscelaneous light vehicles, trucks, etcetera
Personnel Strength=20,000

((OOC: Placeholder. Feeling a bit tired now, had a really bad day at work. I'll post tomorrow.))

(OOC: NC, okay, minefields might have been too strong a word. Think of more like bottlenecks mined with a hidden anti-personnel mine or two - equipment that can be easily carried in platoon-strength or half-company-strength units.)

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

The small vale in which the camp was set was like the bottom of a bottle: steep cliffs surrounded the small glade of forest on all sides save one, a narrow pass between towering pilars of natural stone. The helos would have to get up and over the cliffs to get a shot at the vale below, unless they would try and concentrate their fire through the narrow entrance.

As the troops began to pull back, however, they found out that their presence was at least anticipated. One platoon crossing through the woods heard only a small click from under one man's boot, before he instinctively lifted his foot and detonated the masked anti-personnel mine. One half of the man flew sky-high, the other clattered down on the forest floor while the men nearest to him were thrown back by the blast.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

"Be adviced, colonel Schuyler, that the calm in which you are willing to sacrifice civilian population for a lost cause will be remembered. Keep this between soldiers, not defenseless women and children."

Meanwhile in the city, the domicile of the town's mayor was being broken into, with stealth and silence. The black muzzle of an assault rifle peered inside, sharp ears looking for the mayor or one of his family.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

(OOC: Yeah, I remember seeing one of those when I was doing my own service time. Quite heavy, with either tracks or large tires, with the bridge extending up front over the gap, correct?)

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

Eirena's Northern Rangerian allies had dug their defences well in advance, and once the assault began, they were ready. As per her senior officers' request, the heavy MRSI fire of the mobile howitzers was focused in the northwest, shelling down a rain of fire upon the advancing shock troops. Among the high sky-scrapers of the indirect fire also leveled buildings, thus cutting off the advance of armored vehicles and burying troops under the rubble.

While most of the Jaegers had set up defences in Blachernae to welcome those who got past the howitzers' thundering welcome, anti-tank troops were giving their own welcome to the armored troops in the west, while machine guns and snipers greeted the advancing infantry. And in the south, a detachment of the Arkadia 2nd was awaiting as a reserve unit, to offer assistance to the New Chalcedonian troops should they need back-up against the apparently sluggish and un-coordinated assault. Wherever possible, the sappers had also deployed anti-personnel and anti-tank mines to bog down the attack, or at least to create bottle necks to stall down the advance of the heavier equipment. The Rangerians seemed to have no qualms about using such technology, each man carrying an anti-personnel mine as part of their equipment. Thus even a platoon-strength unit could quickly set up a belt of mines to block a street from heavy vehicles - or at least force the attackers to stop and have the mines removed manually.

In Mangana, ambassador Silander had joined Eirena in waiting for what was to come. "Your Majesty", the older man greeted her, escorted by four Jaegers in full combat gear. "Shouldn't you have evacuated already?"

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"I'm sure they can arrange all that. But as I understand, time is of the essence", Kati said calmly. "You have seen how my people act, even these Black Pikes. If you are assured amnesty and your freedom under a new name, will you help them in return? The way I hear it, there's already a ruckus about to take place in your homeland."

While Kati was still talking, the door opened and one of the black-uniformed soldiers stepped inside with a large tin cup, apparently brimming with hot tea. "No peppermint, sorry. Just Earl Grey", the man said with stunted, 'Formula One' English as he placed the cup on the table before 'Hornet' and opened her handcuffs.

(OOC: My apologies for the six-day hiatus, all. I had some issues to work out with the aftereffects of my trip.)

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon.

Canny bastards, too. What can I do, what can I do...... Colonel Archamia was deep in thought. What she needed to do was lure them out of the wooded hillsides, and instead down to the plains where she would have at least a chance of catching them in the open. She turned and issued some orders to her 2IC.

Five minutes later...

The Tristatis Command Center was the Rangerians' main target for the operation, being the central co-ordination node for Michael's northern wing of forces. Archamia had withdrawn her troops from the hillsides, preferring not to throw their lives away against guerilla forces - which the unknown intruders clearly were.

Instead, she simply operated openly. Down on the seaside plains, the Command Center acted as a clearinghouse for orders and forces. In addition, certain key points - radio transmitters, rail depot and harbour - were heavily guarded and approaches to these were blocked-off.

However, a discerning eye could see that Archamia had made one mistake in her disposition of troops. She had completely forgotten, in her haste, to guard a bridge leading south out of town, which would carry most of the troops to the front at the capital, as well as serving as a key retreat conduit if necessary.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

"Intruders, soldiers meet one another on the battlefield. They don't skulk around like thieves, slitting throats. If you want to act like an assassin, why should I treat you like a soldier? And enough of your delaying tactics. I don't know what you're up to, and I don't care. Be warned - you are now down to eight minutes." Colonel Schuyler was uneasy at this stalling, and gave the word for his troops to be ready to fire.

Meanwhile, in the town, the mayor was asleep in the main back bedroom of the house, along with his wife. Their three small children were each in a room along the hallway to their parents' room.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

(OOC: Yep. Bulky, awkward and not all that tough, which is why you can bet that Captain Metaxas will defend it with all the resources at his disposal.)

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' thought for a moment, then spoke with the air of a woman who had come to a decision.

"Alright, Kati. I'll do it. Get that scary old bastard back in here so I can spill my guts - before he spills my guts." With a thin, lopsided smile, 'Hornet' took a sip of the tea. "You know, this isn't bad."

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

The southern advance was nothing to be worried about, barely managing to attact the defenders' attention. The open plains to the west of the capital, whilst giving the attackers easy terrain, also made the defenders' fire easy, and matters appeared to be well in hand there.

The northwest was another story. As it became clear that this was the only assault with any real hope of succeeding, General Phodarkes himself took the field, leading the rebel troops into the very shadow of the Palace complex. Whatever could be said about his loyalties, his brilliance as a commander couldn't be denied - his troops took heart from his very presence, and they began pushing the defenders back despite taking heavy casualties. Soon, Michael's black-on-gold Imperial standard flew from the towers of the Blachernae.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

The sight that greeted Silander was new to his vision. The Empress stood before him, resplendednt in full battle armour. She turned to face the Ambassador as he spoke, and finished adjusting the straps on her helmet.

"I'm not evacuating, Johannes. I will stay, fight and if need be die to defend the Empire. Even from the former Emperor. I canot ask all these people to fight if I won't, now can I?" With a courteous nod to Silander, she gathered her personal guard around her and made preparations to leave for the front lines, giving Silander a chance to debate the issue if he wished.

Singidunum, New Chalcedon

Whilst Singidunum was a large city, it's garrison had been raided heavily by Michael, and was barely able to put up significant resistance, only getting one salvo of artillery off at the landing boats and one volley of missiles at the warships offshore. Sirmium, inland, promised to be much tougher. About one hundred fifty miles away, the fortified city was bristling with the best AA defences that the Empire could provide, supplemented by a large garrison of ground troops and a powerful air detachment.

OOC: New Chalcedon, it's good to see you.

IC:
Singidunum, New Chalcedon

Neither the artillery nor the missiles had much affect. The artillery did at least manage to take out a few boats, but the missiles failed dismally, only managing to get a hit on one of the battlecruisers. The ground forces swept through the depleted garrision of the city. Due to the fact that the garrison consisted entirely of second-rate troops, the Osean's were capable of getting a number of prisoners. However, they knew they could not expected similar success against the defences of Sirmium. They would need to make extensive preparations to ensure the success of their operations.

Osean Beachhead, New Chalcedon

The Oseans were excellent military engineers and that was quickly displayed. Osean pioneers quickly established a number of defensive lines and forts around their beachead. Inside these lines, they were making the preparations they would need to break Sirmium. First were large supply bases to keep their forces fighting. There were also makeshift air fields, as the attack would require heavy close air support. After that was the basing for the troops and the main command headquarters, where Lieutenant General von Arnim would direct the Osean forces on the ground.

In the eyes of the Oseans, the first objective would be to deal with the Air Forces meant to protectthe city, along with the AA defences, if possible. The way they would deal with the enemy air support was soon decided upon. They would subject the enemy airbases to intense and frequent cruise missile attacks, which would hopefully take them out of action or at least take out a good many aircraft and air crew on the ground. They didn't have the aircraft available to enable them to launch attacks on the airfields yet, so instead their SU-33s would launch operations in the area with the aim of destroying as many aircraft as they could. Their main targets would be enemy air patrols where they could get them out in the open. The enemy AA defences, unfortunately, would require SEAD operations against them, which could not be done untill they had the right aircraft in place to launch them.

OOC: NR Tg'd me - apparently, he's having problems logging on to Jolt. I'm going to wait a few days for him.

((OOC: Okay, I got in by changing my password; still can't be sure if this will work or not, so if it's okay with you, NC, I'll send my entries to you if Jolt goes bonkers for me again. But, here you go...))

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

Discerning eyes were watching the bridge in silence, the binoculars scanning the area for troops. This seemed far too easy, but the Undying had their orders. When the bridge seemed quiet, no civilian or military traffic visible, the order was given. Two camo-cloaked soldiers huffed quickly over the expanse and took up firing positions, looking for motion sensors or mines through the scopes of their rifles. If they could see none, one of them lifted his hand and made a quick signal, calling in the sappers to set up the charges. Blowing up the west-side support beams should be enough; even if the bridge would not collapse, it would be far too flimsy to carry the weight of an advancing army column, thus severely hindering the ability of Michael's troops to cross it in a timely manner.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

"That will be all the time you have left on this earth, colonel. Because when you open fire against the city, your death is assured. This we promise", the voice hissed from the radio.

Meanwhile, in the mayor's bedroom, the civilian leader of the city received a rather rude awakening. He was woken up with the barrel of an assault rifle in his belly, three men in camoflage gear and with painted faces standing in the room.

"Hush", the soldier whose gun was placed on the man's belly whispered in English. "Hush and listen, sir", he said and one of the men opened his walkie-talkie, letting the mayor listen in to the colonel and the anonymous officer exchange words. "We wish no harm to you or your people, sir", the man continued. "But we must hurry. You have an air raid alert system in the town, yes? You must activate it, now."

The soldier looked deep into the mayor's eyes, and slowly pulled back his assault rifle, lowering its barrel towards the ground. The three soldiers waited silently, like statues. In all this time, they had not moved to touch his wife, or even rouse her from her slumber.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

The narrow roads across the mountainous terrain slowed down the advance of Metaxas's troops, but they still made their way closer towards the capital, slowly but surely. However, at one point the scouts announced that the road ahead had been blocked with mines at a narrow spot, making it impossible for the column to advance by simply going past them. They would have to stop while the mines were defused, or turn back and find a different route to the capital. And in steep hill country, turning a convoy the size of this around was no small feat, especially with the mobile bridge.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

Kati chuckled a little at Hornet's comment about the tea. "The Prince takes care of his own, I suppose", she answered and shrugged a little.

A moment later the door opened again, the old man in black livery stepping inside. "Thank you, Ms Renlund", the old man said calmly, Kati jumping to her feet the moment he had entered the room. "You may go now. Your fiancé is waiting for you."

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

In the west, the howitzers kept bombarding Michael's troops, while those who got past the 'killing field' of blown-up buildings and destroyed vehicles were greeted by Jaeger defensive positions, machine guns, snipers and tank busters more than willing to offer their unique form of welcome. Judging the southern front to be well-defended, the reserve troops of Arkadia 2nd were sent into the grinder that was Blachernae. The Northern Rangerian troops had been forced to retreat on that sector, but even as they formed a new defensive line they kept making Phodarkes's men pay with every inch of concrete with blood. When the pressure built up too strong to resist, they retreated and left behind 'souvenirs' in the form of trip-wired explosives. They took losses of course, some units' escape route cut off by the enemy, and in such cases they holed up into the buildings, tying down enemy troops as long as they could. The only units to surrender were those that had used up their ammunition and grenades, or who had more wounded than able-bodied men.

In the Octagon, the Northern Rangerian communication center had received word from the units that had advanced to Blachernae: they were requesting clearance to use mortars and a detachment of howitzers to bombard Phodarkes's troops in the district.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Silander's lips curled up into a wry smile, as if he was feeling a touch of pride seeing the young empress so fired up. It reminded him of the days of yore...

"My Prince has ordered me to tell you that the order stands as long as I am in your company", the Northern Rangerian man spoke as one of the soldiers handed him an assault rifle. With trained ease the former soldier locked and loaded, switching the gun to single-fire. "As to how long that is... well, His Majesty left that to my consideration. That is, unless you order me to leave your company...?"

Singidunum, New Chalcedon

The Imperial Colonel in charge of Singidunum had declined to surrender to the Osean soldiers, instead choosing to withdraw his troops to Sirmium to supplement the garrison there.

The city, meanwhile, was heavily booby-trapped, which answered the question of whether or not the garrison had spotted the Osean fleet coming. The half-dozen bridges across the river blew up spectactularly about three minutes after the first heavy weight crossed them, the loading cranes at the docks collapsed when activated and the power plants shut down - among other misfortunes to befall the Osean force.

Sirmium, New Chalcedon.

General Antonina Komnena was not a happy woman. From the start of this mess, she had been a reluctant conscript, only joining under threat of her garrison revolting in Michael's favour. And now she had this to contend with.

First things first. Cut the communications - Jagderson's taken care of that while retreating. Second - keep all AA defences on alert 24/7. Third - fight a delaying action where possible. She left her office and began issuing orders.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The two well-concealed Fifth Bureau operatives watched the intruder look around for intruders. They looked at each other, and the one on the left chuckled nastily. "Petro, remind me that I owe the Old Lady fifty denarii come payday." The one on the right snickered unsympathetically. "That's what you get for betting against the Old Lady, idiot. Shall we call in the strike team?" The first speaker gave a fractional shake of his head. "Not yet. They may have radio interception capability. Wait until they're well into the open."

The two settled in to wait for the intruders to move closer to the bridge.

Lorenzra,
New Chalcedon

The middle-aged man got up hastily, all but gabbling his assent to the orders issued by the black-clad intruders.

One minute later, the air-raid sirens began to sound throughout the town, waking people from their slumber and sending them to their basements and assorted shelters.

In the headquarters, Colonel Schuyler was livid. He flipped the radio transmission signal. "You bastards! Never let it be said that I am not a man of my word. Gunners, open fire!"

The artillery barrels began firing, one of them at the Mayor's residence. However, only about a third of them started at once. A few more waited a few minutes, and the rest didn't start firing at all. Either Schuyler had something up his sleeve, or those gunners had balked at firing on civilians.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

There can't be that many..... Metaxas had to think quickly. "Send the demolitions personnel ahead, well-guarded. I want those mines gone, and I want them gone now."

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' looked at the old man impassively. "So, what do you want? I understand that we're working on a timetable now."

Meanwhile, in his cell, Alexandrous waited fretfully for his fiance, consumed by guilt. If I hadn't brought her into it...what if they execute her?

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

Michael was not all that far behind his troops, and began to use the Blachernae as his forward command post in the city. Meanwhile, Phodarkes was growing tired of the losses his forces were taking from the dogged defence. He issued a few orders, and tracked vehicled crawled forward to trigger the explosives, taking the force on their armour, whilst Phodarkes threw his crack shocktroops at the buildings ahead of the armoured columns. Meanwhile, he split his forces - one heading southeast directly to the Mangana Palace, one east to the Fortress of Saint Stephen, the main air force base for the capital.

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

A ghost of a smile flitted across Eirena's lips. "Far be it from me to tell you that you're out of your mind, Johannes. But I would welcome you at my side." An aide delivered the news of hte progress that Phodarkes was making, and she was about to order her little unit to the front lines, when a young man ran into the room. Silander recognised him as the errant Crown Prince, Constantine. He stopped at the sight of so many firearms pointed at him, then quickly addressed Eirena.

"Eirena, here you are! Michael's at the Blachernae himself - I guess he couldn't stay away. If we get there, we could capture him and end the war in a heartbeat!"

Eirena looked her brother, her emotions barely held in check. Then she looked at the leader of her guards, who thought a moment then nodded.

"Let's go. We have an appointment to keep, though my brother knows it not." Her voice was hard as iron.

Singidunum, New Chalcedon

The Osean's were severely irritated by the sabotage. Most of it, they had not expected and had suffered a good number of casualties from the New Chalcedon efforts. But they had expected that the bridges would be demolished as soon as they were sighted, as it would be easy for the enemy to do it quickly. So when they found that the bridges were still intact, they were immediadly suspicious. Their responce was to send in engineers to make sure that this there wasn't any enemy trickery. Meanwhile, they would cross the river using mobile bridge layers. As for what civilians there were, they were kept with the basic requirements they needed, but they were kept as far away from the Osean bases as possible. None of the Oseans were ready to assume that there weren't any sabotuers among them.

As for Sirmium, the Osean's were not ready to launch an assault yet. But they decided to strike at them for retaliation for the sabotage. The Fleet was ordered to attack the city. The fleet fired three waves of Type-80 cruise missiles (http://http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=14649643&postcount=33) at the city. Each of the waves had 100 of the missiles. For targeting, they would use GPS and a combination of pre-war and what intelligence they had available to try and figure out what military targets there were in the city.

((Okay, now I know I'm back in business. One of our fellow NS players told me I should stop trying to log in at jolt.co.uk and try joltonline.com... and it worked like a charm. So my apologies, now let's get back on the job ;) )

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

Four sappers made their way swiftly to the bridge, starting to attach explosives to the support beams underneath. They never said a word as plastic explosives were attached and detonators were set, with the two camo-cloaked soldiers on the look-out. Little did they know they themselves were being watched...

Lorenzra,
New Chalcedon

The unnamed Rangerian commander fell silent, the walkie-talkie no longer responding to colonel Schuyler's curses and threats. There was nothing to be said anymore. And they were certainly taking advantage of the colonel's fears: bridges, narrow gaps, tunnels, crossroads... whether leading to Constantinopolis Secundus or offering an escape route for retreat... were being systematically destroyed outside the city, the Black Pikes' sappers making sure that the colonel and his heavy equipment would go nowhere.

In the city, the three Black Pikes were helping the mayor and his family into the shelter, when the shelling began. Cursing to himself, the last Black Pike managed to get the youngest child to the mother's arms before a mortar shell hit the ground right behind him. The man howled in pain and flew on his face, his back smoldering and torn, his right leg twisted unnaturally.

"Mitro!" one of the other two yelled and ran to his comrade, who was still alive, moaning something in pain as the shells kept falling, pounding the city. He managed to drag the wounded man away from the open, but it was clear that the moaning soldier could not get up on his own.

"His back... He cannot move", the soldier spoke, looking at the mayor and the shelter. "We cannot take him with us."

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

As the convoy stopped, a pair of binoculars lowered on one of the hills surrounding the convoy. Good... the trap had been set. While the men were still in their vehicles, the news of the convoy stopping for a moment still passing from vehicle to vehicle, the trap was sprung. From the hills surrounding the road flew up a total of six glowing projectiles, leaving behind them white smoke. Three from the north, two from the south, arcing into the sky and falling like meteors towards the mobile bridge, slamming onto it in a nigh-singular explosion of red flame, black smoke and twisted metal. Following them, two more projectiles hit that part of the convoy, hitting a tank and an APC behind and in front of the mobile bridge.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"What I want is the head of a certain Fifth Bureau bitch on a spike", the old man spoke, his expression or voice showing little of the anger that usually resided behind such words, the combination of coolness and brutality more than a little discomforting. "And if you help me do so, I can personally guarantee you will not leave this base without suitable assets to set up a new life somewhere else. Contemplate that while you inform your superiors what has happened", he said, placing the communication equipment before Hornet. "That is, that the operation was a bust and that you were the only survivor. Of course, the man who got away is most suspect of treason, true?"

In the holding cell, the door opened again, and Kati returned. Instead of looking like a convict, she looked strangely... refreshed? Her long hair was wet and free instead of its usual bun at the back of her head, and she did not smell like a woman should after a week in car and roughing it. "Alex...", she breathed out and ran to her fiancé, hugging him tightly as the female soldier merely smiled and locked the door.

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

The Northern Rangerian Jaegers were like a jagged thorn wherever they fought alongside Eirena's men. Each moment they tore into Michael's troops was pain, but to pull them out shred the wound open some more. Even though these troops - citizen-soldiers from the Arkadia colony - were by no means the best of the best, they certainly put up a good fight, forcing Phodarkes's troops into grueling house-by-house, floor-by-floor, room-by-room battles, flash and frag grenades, controlled bursts of assault rifle fire and collapsed stairwells their weapons in tying down enemy troops. And for that, they paid a heavy price.

(What's the situation on other fronts?)

Mangana Palace,
Constantinopolis Secundus.

Silander frowned a little at the Empress's decision, but said nothing as he and his men hurried along her and the elite guard. The Northern Rangerian ambassador (well, ex-ambassador, really; his resignation had taken effect immediately after he had relayed Mikhail's message to Eirena - that way, if everything went up the proverbial river, there would be no trouble over him breaching diplomatic immunity) had more than a few worries about Constantine's loyalties, should push come to shove. The man had already jumped ship once. How could they be certain he would not do so again?

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The two operatives looked at each other, and the first tapped two keys on his portable radio.

Less than three minutes later, seven APCs crested the hill, heading directly toward the bridge. Two broke off toward where the Rangerian observers were hiding, and a voice issues simultaneously from all seven vehicles:

"Unknown assailants, this is Colonel Maria Archamia of the Imperial Army. You will immediately surrender yourselves to my personnel, or else they are authorised to open fire. You have fifteen seconds to comply."

Lorenzra,
New Chalcedon

The aging accountant who served as the town's Mayor seized his courage and darted out from the shelter, perhaps energised by the trouble the Rangerians had gone to to help him and his people. Working with the Rangerian commander, he got the wounded commando, named "Mitro", to the shelter, and said, "We'll look after him. You go. End this madness."

Meanwhile, the shelling had almost completely stopped, and it was evident that a fight had broken out within the Army base.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

Not good. Damn it, I'm only a Captain - I haven't the training or experience to deal with this kind of covert warfare. Think, Georgios, think. A memory came, of General Komnena lecturing the class of cadets nearly a decade ago. That's right. Seize the initiative. Make them react to me, not initiate action.

Captain Metaxas realised that if he was going to get to the capital in any kind of time to help, he had to get rid of the unknown saboteurs who were making his troops' lives miserable. He signalled a halt, and issued orders for platoon-level detachments to sweep the countryside. Each platoon was to remain in constant - literally, non-stop - contact with Metaxas and the convoy, to prevent piecemeal picking-off of his detachments, and a central reserve of fast vehicles would be on constant standby to go to the aid of any detachment that reported being under attack, or just stopped transmitting.

In the meantime, he assessed the damage and got his engineers to start rigging a bridge to get his troops over, whilst the assailants were distracted by his search parties.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' smiled. "True." She set the radio to a specific frequency, and said "Make sure that this transmits at least as far as Port Marie, your nation's western islands port." After receiving the affirmation that it would, she spoke clearly into the microphone:

"Delivery girl to fuel station. The delivery could not be made due to an infestation of hornets, but the recipient is still ready to receive the goods. Requesting additional fuel to be placed at the depot - the depot owner's prescence may be needed to make the delivery."

A voice came through, one that the Black Pike commander might recognise. It was the Port Authority commander's voice. "Reading you loud and clear, Delivery Girl. Will pass the message on. Fuel Station out."

'Hornet' looked over to the old man, and explained the code. "Using the keyword 'Hornet' identified me, and I've asked for reinforcements, preferably Parnassia herself, to come and get the job done. She may bite; she may not. At the least, you'll get another parcel of Fith Bureau operatives, and they'll almost certainly be either of lower caliber than myself, Dagger and Traveller, or Rangerian - and hence traitors rather than spies. Very possible both. We were the best direct action team in the Bureau, after all."

She looked pensive for a moment. "If Eirena wins, and the Bureau becomes something we can take pride in again, perhaps I will once more be one of their elite operatives - we of the Empire don't take little things personally, like being on hte wrong side of a civil war." She smiled sardonically. "Just don't get between us and the nearest luxury item."

In the cell, Alexandrous hugged Kati as a drowning man holds to his only support. "What's the decision, love?"

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

In the southwest, Captain Metaxas' delayed arrival had written finis to any attempt to rally by that flank - Michael's army was short of skilled officers, and his troops there needed one such officer badly if they were to rally and actually get anything done.

The western offensive was having more luck - whilst it had taken horrendous losses, it was at least in the defences, doing its assigned job perfectly - distract the defence.

In the northwest, however, the story was different. Antonius Phodarkes was among the very best the Imperial Army had to offer, with a specialty in urban warfare. Additionally, he was not afraid to lead from near the front, unlike his Imperial master, who remained at the apparent safety of the Blachernae. His mere prescence on the battlefield was an inspiration to his troops, and his ability to think on the run was matched by his handpicked cadre of squad leaders and detachment commanders.

In short, the defence was having an extremely thin time of it on the northern front. Whilst they were inflicting heavy casualties on the attackers, Phodarkes' leadership skills were proving to be more than they could handle, and the offensive was not a matter of blocks away from the Mangana Palace in hte centre of the city.

Blachernae Palace Complex,
Eastern Entrance.

While the 'commandos' assembled by Eirena were en route to the Complex, the errant Crown Prince, who had already refused the throne once, explained his plan. "Everyone knows that I'm on Michael's side - in fact, I'm his second-in-command and heir. What he, you - " Constantine threw a glance at Silander "and everyone else have forgotten, is that I'm on the nation's side. And the war is pointless, destructive and must be stopped. Therefore, I set out to ingratiate myself to Michael, knowing that it wouldn't be for long. Now the time has come, and I can help you."

"We will approach at the eastern entrance, with Eirena obscured from the guards' vision - her armour is too distinctive. Everyone else I can pretend I'm bringing in to toughen the security. I'll send the regular guards to join the fighting, and we can go in and find Michael - he spends a lot of time in the northern Solarium. Opinions?"

Sirmium,
New Chalcedon.

Komnena was not fighting 'her' type of fight, for which the Oseans could be thankful, for she was more timid than usual. Instead of sending an airstrike, supplemented with surface-launches antiship missiles, to punish the Osean taskforce for their insolence in attacking her command, she instead settled for thickening her anti-air defences, as well as establishing ground defence lines to hamper any attempted Osean advance.

As to the aforementioned Osean launch, it fared poorly, as was the usual experience of Osean missiles against Imperial antimissile defences. However, the ground facilities could not dodge, unlike the spectacularly successful Imperial Navy, and any missiles that got through the defences inflicted damage.

Of the three hundred missiles, a dozen or so penetrated the Imperial defences, and two radar stations were the most prominent casualties of the assault. They were not, however, the most important, that honour going to a bridge leading to the southwest of the city, toward Singidunum. Its destruction would significantly hamper Komnena's ability to move her forces around in a hurry, which would be useful if and when a full assault was launched.

Osean Taskforce, en route to Sirmium

The Osean commanders were surprised that the cruise missiles had such little effect. But they realised that they probably should have expected that from the Chalcedon AA. So the Osean aircraft would be kept at their carrriers to protect them. Also, their cruise missiles would be saved for a the assault. They decided they needed to move quickly. The Osean armour was to spearhead their advance to the city and quickly encircle the city. Once all the Osean units were in position, they would attack.

The enemy lines would be hit by a 20 minute initial barrage by the Osean artillery. Then Osean shock troops would move forward, followed by regular units, which would launch multiple simultanius attack on the city's defensive lines, with the support of a rolling barrage from the artillery. Finally, the fleet would also attack the city. First they made sure they had enough distance between themselves and the coast so they could quickly move out of quickly get out of the possible range of enemy weapons while still being in range for their cruise missiles. Two salvos were launched at the city by the fleet. Each had 600 missiles and were timed with a gap of 10 seconds between the launches. The attack would deplete the VLS of the Osean ships but it would contribute significantly to the Osean attempts to break Sirmium.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

(Okay... just to make sure, the APCs are coming from the direction of Tristatis, yes? That is to say, they have to cross the bridge to get to the saboteurs?)

No answer came, the saboteurs picking up their pace. If one of the Fifth Bureau operatives would take a look, he could see that the two sentries had already begun aiming at the approaching vehicles with their assault rifles - and more importantly, with the attached grenade launchers in them. These men would not go down without a fight.

Under the bridge, the sappers were placing as many explosives as they could, knowing they had only seconds to go. The sergeant overseeing the other three had already placed the detonators, but they all knew they didn't have the time to retreat for a remote detonation.

Lorenzra,
New Chalcedon

"We will, sir. We will", the Rangerian answered and spoke something to his wounded comrade, who managed a painful nod. His assault rifle, grenades and clips were taken, his only weapons now his service pistol and the knife on his belt. As the two surviving Rangerians started running, the man called Mitro started... praying? Though he must have been in tremendous pain, his lips still whispered words of prayer that sounded oddly familiar, especially when the mayor noticed something around the man's wrist: a simple chain bracelet, from which hung a miniature icon of Saint George in silver.

Meanwhile, the Black Pike commanders in the area were assessing the situation. All platoons around Lorenzra were contacted and given the coded order to advance under cover towards the military base, while a scouting party was sent ahead to assess the situation - and make contact with the troops who had turned traitor to the traitor Schuyler.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

The mobile bridge had taken severe damage, having suffered multiple direct hits from high-yield, armor-piercing projectiles. To get the bridge moving again would be no small feat of engineering and jury-rigging; to have it actually work as it was supposed to even more so. A tank and an APC on either side of the mobile bridge had also been hit, the air filled with the stench of burning rubber and blood.

On the hills, Metaxas's men found signs of blast sites: scorched ground, blasted grass, all signs of an anti-tank weapon's backdraft. The trap had been crude, but efficient: force the convoy to stop, and then fire several anti-vehicle weapons at the mobile bridge from higher ground. Like shooting fish in a barrel. The rocky cliffs and tall grass had already swallowed up whoever had been there... or so it appeared, until one lucky scout caught the sight of two camo-dressed soldiers running towards the hills. One of them was carrying a small missile-launcher, the other its ammunition.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

The old man's smile widened to an almost wolfish grin at the possibility of Parnassia herself appearing on Rangerian soil - the only streak of strong emotion the man had shown during the entire conversation.

"I see we are of like mind in this matter, ma'am", the man answered, nodding approvingly. "Though I have to admit, I did not expect the Bureau's leader to take such a hands-on approach to keeping our forces out of the war. Or is such action typical of New Chalcedonians in positions of power? That sometimes one must get your hands dirty? But before you answer that... do you have the location where she or this parcel will appear?"

In the cell, Kati beamed up at her fiancé and kissed him softly on the lips. "She agreed to help... after we came to an agreement over tea", she answered, smiling teasingly as she pressed closer to Alexandrous, accidentally hugging the very spot where the man had been shot.

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

The Rangerians fought like men possessed, stubborn, unyielding pride denying them the possibility of running like cowards. In the Octagon, some of the howitzers were given new firing orders, commanded to beat the tar out of the northwest front, to stall Phodarkes's advance deeper into the city. A priority message was also sent to the First Europa, requesting for a missile strike at the Blachernae district.

But in warfare, it is not always the size of the ammunition or the strength of one's men that can change the tide of battle. From a Northern Rangerian perspective, the New Chalcedonian leaders' willingness to throw themselves into the thick of battle to rally their troops was a superb asset - but it could also be turned into their greatest weakness. Several spiraling towers, belfries and other high-ground sites had been given to snipers, with the specific order to take out any and all officers they could see. And one lance corporal Simon Häyhä had just picked up a particularly charismatic presence in the scopes of his Barrett anti-personnel rifle. Grinning to himself he aimed along the impressive boulevard. He was not a cruel man; as a hunter he had been taught always to make a clean kill so his prey would not suffer needlessly. So he aimed, steadily, wanting to make this "one shot, one kill".

Blachernae Palace Complex,
Eastern Entrance.

"You are certain, then, that me and my men won't catch attention?" Silander asked, grudgingly acknowledging the fact that he and his four Jaeger escorts in their combat gear would be a liability if recognized. "Otherwise... I'm game as long as there's few surprises. If need be, I can contact the Octagon and request for reinforcements. The Leave-None-Behinds are itching to have their chance, although I'm sure they're soon be thrown into the grinder."

(Nathaniel BUMPo)

(OOC: Ah, here I am. At last. And no, Tristatis is to the southwest of the bridge; the river runs North-South, your guys - with your permission - are to the North, and the APCs come in from the South-East. The APCs have a clear field to your guys - which is why Archamia picked it as her lure.)

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The approaching APCs separated by a few metres, and the cupolas trained on the saboteurs began firing warning shots. Apparently, Archamia, unlike Schuyler in Lorenzra, believed in the rules of war, and the demand for surrender issued again from the speakers. Meanwhile, some dust began rising over the western ridge, warning the Rangerians that a force was en route to cut them off from retreating.

Three miles to the east, the two choppers that Archamia had sent earlier were halfway through warming up their rotors. In another two minutes, they would be ready to lift. Five minutes after that, they would be able to bring their support to bear.

Lorenzra,
New Chalcedon

The military base that the Rangers studied had erupted into chaos, with men shooting at each other. It was no trouble at all for them to get near, although getting to the HQ was more of an ask. Near the southwestern end of the compound, a rough chain of command had been set up, under a Captain.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

Metaxas was livid. "Go! Go! Go!" He was addressing the forces that he had sent in a flanking maneuver to cut off the saboteurs which hurried to safety.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' thought for a moment, then answered the old man's question. "Most Chalcedonians prefer to be led from the front, or at least by example. So, no, it is not unusual to have a head of the Bureau who has extensive experience in jobs. However, the odds of getting her are slim - if the Empire's in chaos, she'll probably pay more attention to that than a problem here."

In the cell, Alexandrous went white and cursed softly, bending over a little with pain, as his fiancee accidentally hugged his shot wound. When he recovered, he gave her a lopsided smile, and said "Wonderful kitchen-diplomacy, my darling. But I hope to God that you never become a nurse."

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

By now, most of Phodarkes' troops were sufficiently into the city to get the benefit of cover should the enemy use artillery on them - civilian cover, although they were taking effort to avoid civilian casualties.

As Phodarkes urged his troops along the Via Thracia, toward the Mangana Palace, he glanced down the avenue....right into the eyes of Simon Häyhä. Just as Häyhä was about to fire, he reached across to the driver of the jeep he was riding in, and jerked the wheel hard across, preferring to take his chances with a car crash than with a sniper. Although this got him out of the path of Häyhä's bullet, it also resulted in the aforementioned crash, and the jeep crumpled hard against the wall of a governmental office.

The troops nearby rushed to their CO's aid, and over the next few minutes, the offensive started to slow down as Phodarkes' abscence from the field began to be felt.

Blachernae Palace Complex,
Eastern Entrance.

Constantine hesitated. "It may draw comment, but we should be able to get close enough to prevent them raising an alarm." As they got to the entrance, his words proved prophetic - the guards at the entrance were not nearly so alert as the Varangian Guard normally guarding the entrance of an Imperial Palace would have been.

After the group had been let past, Constantine said, "Michael is in the War Room. But getting past those guards won't be so easy - they're better than those poor schmucks."

War Room
Blachernae Palace Complex.

The guards were indeed more alert, even toward their leader's brother and heir, and the small party was obliged to gun them down. As they opened the heavy door into the antechamber, they saw a number of people flanking, to either side of an officer, guarding the inner door. A man strolled out from behind them - Michael.

"you didn't really think that I'd be caught this unaware, did you, Eirena? I've been monitoring you since you entered the Palace. Well done, Constantine - I knew that I could count on you. Thank you, little brother."

His last sentence galvanised Constantine, who shouted, "I didn't help you!" He reached for his sidearm and raised it. However, he got no further, because one of the guards gunned him down. He sank into Eirena's waiting arms, and his last whispered words were, "Sorry, 'Reenie. Thought I could help...guess Mikey was right. Never amount to anything...." His eyes faded, until he was staring at the ceiling.

Eirena looked at him a moment, then at Michael. "You've gone too far, Michael. Anything else, I could forgive. But not this." With these words, she signalled, and the room erupred into a firefight.

Sirmium,
New Chalcedon.

The Oseans were, however, to be frustrated in their attempts to encircle the city - a neccesary precondition for their assualt plan. To the north, hills afforded the defenders plenty of opportunities to bottleneck the roads and slow advances. To the west, the Oseans had to cross the Istros River which ran wide and deep in this region near the Delta, and the only bridge was defended by a garrisoned fortress. To the south and east, Komnena yielded to the Osean advance grudgingly, leaving behind profusions of traps and devices, as well as destroyed roads and railroads.

(OOC: Osea, imagine this: Start with a city in the center. Then put hills to the north, and a river flowing east-west just to the south of it. The city itself is well built-up and developed.)

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The two Rangerian guards ducked for cover from the machine gun fire, but one of them manage to fire his grenade, aiming at the leading vehicle.

Just then, a warning holler came from under the bridge, and three sappers started to climb out like the devil himself was on their tails. The camo-cloaked soldiers continued firing, hoping to make their way to the forest before all hell was upon them.

Under the bridge, the sergeant braced himself under what little cover he could find, said his farewell to his wife and daughter - and pressed the detonator button.

The sappers' time under the bridge had been severely limited, so instead of weakening the bridge at several locations, they had stacked their combines explosives at two of the supporting braces. With the sergeant's click of the button, the copious amounts of plastic explosives blew up, rocking the bridge like it was made of tinfoil. One of the retreating Rangerians turned back to look, praying that the sergeant - who was most likely dead now - had not given his life in vain. Had the blast been powerful enough to break the bridge?

Lorenzra,
New Chalcedon

The scouting party split in two: one team returned to report to the commanders, while the other began to make their way towards the battlefield, their weapons ready when they began searching for the officers who had turned against Schuyler. Time was of the essence now...

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

The two soldiers kept running, moving surprisingly fast for someone with such a heavy burden. But despite how fleet of foot they were, no man could out-run a fast all-terrain vehicle. The two soldiers saw that their road was blocked, and they nodded to each other. They simply dropped for cover behind some boulders and set up the launcher. If the New Chalcedonians would open fire, they would be greeted like an interloper in a wolverine's warren: with fang and claw.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"We shall see", the old man answered and leaned back in his chair. "In case it takes a great deal of time for your superiors to answer you, I believe some refreshments are in order. Tell me, in your time here in our country, have you ever tried spring potatoes and smoked lake herring?" he asked out of the blue, as if such a query of culinary delights was something completely natural, even in an interrogation chamber.

In the cell, Kati smirked and gave her fiancé a teasing little punch to his better arm. "Oh stop being such a baby, Alex... You'll live. And if all goes well, we'll soon be back home in Halsanki", she spoke and then sat down next to Alexandrous, leaning her head on his shoulder. "I managed to speak a little with one of the guards. She said there's rumours of a battle in Constantinopolis Secundus."

With that, Kati looked up at Alex, as if to scope out what emotions - if any - such news evoked in him.

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

Lance corporal Simon Häyhä realized that he had lost his chance, and judging by the glint of recognition in the man's eye when their gaze met through his scope, he realized his position was compromised. Picking up his gear, he moved to a new firing position. But as he did so, he also made contact with his comrades, giving a quick but important message.

"Bobcat Warren, this is Bobcat Zero-Three-Niner. Gryphon located at Two-Niner, One-Five. Repeat: Gryphon located at Two-Niner, One-Five. Target immobile but live. Bobcat Zero-Three-Niner over."

"Zero-Three-Niner, this is Bobcat Warren. Message received. Relocate and seek firing solution. Over and out."

Though Häyhä had not recognized Phodarkes personally, he had seen how the older man had rallied his troops and how those same troops had rushed to cover him. The message he had sent was in case of such front-line commanders, who would now be targeted for capture-or-kill missions. As he kept seeking a new firing line, he could not yet hear the rumble of advancing mobile infantry. What he could see, however, were the three Black Pike combat helos that were making a bee-line towards Via Thracia.

Meanwhile, the news of a temporarily disabled military commander echoed through the Northern Rangerian ranks, and as the charismatic drive of Phodarkes waned, the Rangerian commanders began to push the Michaelist forces back, intent on pushing them out of Blachernae. It was now that the Leave-None-Behinds began to fire up their combat helicopters, preparing for take-off and deployment in the cityscape. They had been sitting on their thumbs for too long...

War Room
Blachernae Palace Complex.

"You murdering son of a bitch!" Silander yelled and his combat rifle jumped up, making a hip-shot at Michael. Unfortunately, in his sudden rage he had neglected to aim properly, and the bullet flew past Michael and into the eye of one of the deposed emperor's personal guards.

Seeking cover, Silander and his men answered with suppressive fire, trusting the Empress's own guards to keep her out of harm's way. If only they had brought more medics, then Constantine could have been saved. But the now-former ambassador would be damned if he'd let the brave man's death be in vain. Catching the attention of one of Eirena's officers, he signalled to them, tapping at the flash grenades he and his four Jaegers were carrying. They could not afford to be bogged down here: Michael would not tarry behind and put his life at risk. They had to get him, now.

Novoa Hadrianopolis,
Constantinopolis Secundus

Deep behind enemy lines, some of the Black Pike "Duskers" had been given a special assignment. There would be no glorious battle for them, but a grim duty of eliminating one of Michael's top advisors - someone whose actions had made her a dead woman walking for any Northern Rangerian.

These Duskers had lain low for days now, making their way slowly but surely deeper into enemy territory. They travelled light, with no anti-tank weaponry, and their equipment dismantled, only to be rebuilt at the site. Somehow they had managed to wriggle their way into the den of the beast, the city of Novoa Hadrianopolis. And like the hunters of old, laying low and sustaining themselves on hot tea and iron rations, they had secured themselves look-out posts around the Imperial compound.

And they waited.

They waited for their elusive quarry to show herself, hoping that the high walls and armed guards - combined with the lack of covert ops around the city - would lull their prey into a sense of false security.

All they needed was for her to appear in an open window or in the courtyard...

Sirmium, New Chalcedon

The Oseans moved to ensure that supplies and reinforcements could not get to the city. They had detatchments of troops moved to block all the roads and artillery, mainly light guns, was moved in to cover the approaches to the city. The attack would come from across the river.

They would not use the bridge across the river as it was too well defended. Instead they would cross using moblie bridging equipment and boats. The fortress defending the bridge would be hit by 100 misssile of the first salvo launched by the fleet, to try and suppress it while the crossing was being done.

This would be headed by shock troops in rubber dingies and assualt craft. It would be supported by fire from the hundreds of rocket launchers and artillery guns available for the attack.The defensive lines would also find themself under attack by shock troops supported by the Osean artillery. The fleet soon launched its salvos and the first Osean attempt to take the city by force now begun.

Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The Rangerians' hopes were partially disappointed: the bridge had been severely weakened, enough so that it was unlikely to be able to take heavy vehicles. However, the partial blast had left behind a bridge that would be fairly simple to repair, allowing the next convoy of troops to head to the capital - or for fleeing Michaelians to escape the wrath of their enemies.

The vehicles had well and truly noticed the Rangerian cover guards - the grenade had inflicted some damage to the exterior of the left-hand vehicle, although the right-hand vehicle began opening fire in the general direction with grenade launchers, relying on the principle "A grenade just has to get close." The left-hand vehicle, meanwhile, disgorged a squad of troops to chase the sappers with the hope of capturing them. Rubber bullets flew, and more orders to surrender were issued.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The man apparently in charge was a Captain who had set up a HQ in the southern corner of the HQ, only to abandon it to lead his troops personally against the headquarters building, where Schuyler was apparently hiding. It appeared that the Imperial tradition of leading from the front was alive and well here at Lorenzra, unlike with Schuyler.

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

Captain Metaxas was out of patience with these people. He ordered "Fire!" into his microphone, and one of the vehicles shot a grenade behind the rocks that the Rangerians had hidden behind.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

'Hornet' was nonplussed by the change in topic, but adapted swiftly. "Um, no, Sir, I haven't. But I'm willing to try anything once."

In the cell, Alexandrous looked worried - his parents both lived in the capital, and he had been planning to take Kati there to meet them soon. However, he put on a brave face for Kati, and said "I'm sure that your people can make a difference there, love."

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

Phodarkes cursed feelingly as his aide pulled him from the wreck of his vehicle. The jeep was a total write-off, and Phodarkes was in little better condition, having taken two broken ribs among a range of injuries. Nonetheless, he remained alert enough to order his troops to be aware for a possible follow-up strike, whilst he personally was conveyed to the Blachernae for triage and treatment.

In consequence, they were more than ready for the three helicopters that rounded the skyscraper to come to them, which in turn were greeted with a volley of .50 cal machinegun fire and a pair of missiles each.

War Room Antechamber
Blachernae Palace Complex.

Michael looked horrified at what his guard had done, until Silander cursed him. At that point, he smirked cruelly, and said "Temper, temper, Ambassador. It will make international incidents, you know." As the firefight erupted, he made for the door.

Not quite quickly enough. As the door opened into the main War Room, a bullet hit him directly between the shoulderblades. As he sank to the floor, the fighting slowed, then stopped, and Eirena rushed to her last surviving sibling's side.

"Michael, why? You could have come to me. I would have helped you get through it." Her voice was distraught, full of tears, and his reply was faint, growing fainter by the word. "Power's addictive, little sister. It's addictive. The worst fate I could wish on you......greatness and tragedy. That's your future.....how I hate you." The last words were spoken with fervor, and then the mangled chest fell, and rose no more.

Michael Iastos Basilios Doukas-Palaiologos, Emperor of Eastern Rome, one hundred and twenty-seventh in succession to Augustus Caesar, had died, although the civil war he had started raged on outside the very walls of this, his favourite retreat and palace.

Novoa Hadrianopolis,
Constantinopolis Secundus

The Duskers' patience was soon to be rewarded. A sleek blonde woman, whose movements practically screamed arrogance, soon left the main entrance of the Palace, apparently heading toward a waiting limousine. Prior investigation would reveal that the limousine was scheduled to head to the Novoa Hadrianopolis Airport.

Sirmium
New Chalcedon.

General Komnena was ready for the Osean advance, having had two days to prepare since the Osean fleet had been spotted. Her forces were well-entrenched in the hills, severely hampering the Osean attempts to cut off communication with other cities. Meanwhile, the river front had been identified as a priority target for fortification. The front itself had been mined and trenched, and the Imperial troops were given a set of orders to give heavy resistance, but to retreat rather than die. The fallback positions, in the outer suburbs of Sirmium, were fully ready to provide shelter, whilst the Imperial Air Force detachment made life hell for the attacking Osean ground troops.

The artillery battalion's guns had been divided evenly between the grassy plains to the west of the city and the river, and began to make the "Final argument of Kings", as the age-old description of artilley went. The deep crack crack crack of the PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers sounded several barrages directed toward the river as the Osean troops attempted to cross it.

The fortress on the bridge could not stand up to the missile barrage, mostly because Komnena was not prepared to commit the air defences to extending that far out from the city's main facilities. What the Oseans probably did not know was that Komnena had decided that the fortress was too exposed, and had consequently left an all-volunteer skeleton garrison, who had rigged the bridge for demolition.

If the Oseans made it to the Sirmium side of the river in significant numbers, then the troops would retreat and leave the Oseans to advance over about two miles of clear terrain before any hope of close engagement could be achieved. Given the eight hours that the Oseans had allowed her before attacking to rest and refresh her mind, Komnena was showing off her tactical proficiency, employing a wide variety of tactics to defend her command area.

(OOC: My apologies, gentlemen. It would seem that everything computer-related on my end is hell-bent on making sure I actually do something outside this summer ;) That, or my Baby Boom-generation Mom has learned how to remotely cripple my net connection.)



Tristatis Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The grenades did their job: without sufficient back-up, the two guards were quickly disabled, one of them thrown back by a grenade blast, the other lifting up his arms to signal surrender as he stepped out of cover, moving towards his severely-wounded comrade.

Of the sappers, only one reached the safety of the forest, the other two cut down by rubber bullets. This was the first glance that the New Chalcedonians got of their elusive harriers: men in camo-coloured fatigues, with simple insignias in stark black to show rank. The only sound made by them was the pain-filled keening of the grenade-wounded soldier, his comrade doing whatever he could to preserve his life by dressing his most serious wounds.

Lorenzra Forward HQ,
New Chalcedon

The scouts made their way to the captain, offering what little cover fire they could.

"Captain!" one of the Rangerians yelled in broken Chalcedonian. "Corporal Makila, 7th Black Pikes of Northern Rangeria. Need assistance, yes?"

En route from Orestias to Constantinopolis Secundus.

The two soldiers were waiting for an attack, and when they heard the grenade whistle, they acted with pure survival instinct, trying to roll and jump aside when the projectile was flying towards them. Their weapons were discarded, and the explosion proved to be quite tremendous as the grenade also blasted the missiles one of them had carried on his back. Cursing, one of the soldiers got up and lifted his hands to signal surrender.

Arola Military Base
Northern Rangeria

"A healthy attitude, Miss", the old man answered and the door opened, letting inside a guard who carried a tray. On it rested a plate with three small smoked fish - sweet-water herring, most likely - as well as a few spring potatoes, their skin almost translucent in the light. On their side sat plastic utensils, a cup filled with milk, and two pieces of hard bread and a small butter package.

"It is quite safe, I assure you", the old man said sardonically. "If you have lived here, Miss, you may have noticed that poison and other more... subtle means of disposing people are frowned upon. If you betray us, you will die with a knife in your jugular or a bullet in your brainpan. Not choking on your own tongue over a half-eaten plate."

In the cell, Kati nodded silently. "I hope so... but there's little we can do about it in here", she answered, sighing and sitting up straight, looking up at Alexandrous. "Just about all we can do is wait, I suppose", she continued, a small smile curling her lips up. "It's just too bad you are wounded, lover... I finally have you all for myself, with no distractions."

Constantinopolis Secundus,
New Chalcedon.

In the canyon-like streets the combat helos had little room to operate, one of them taking a direct hit and crashing to the ground in a ball of flame. The other two were luckier, but the ferocity of their 'welcome greeting' forced them to retreat as soon as they had arrived, to join their comrades in attacking Michaelian lines in Blachernae. The troops on Via Thrace would, however, have to contend with the mechanized infantry that was appearing from the other end of the street...

War Room Antechamber
Blachernae Palace Complex.

Silander bit his tongue to stifle the angry curse that Michael's death had brought forth. He would have preferred taking the man alive, if for no other reason than to let the former Emperor feel the jeers and angry shouts of the men who had fought so valiantly to keep him out of Constantinople Secundus. But for now, reason triumphed over anger, and the former ambassador came to the Empress's side, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Your Majesty", he spoke, using the honorific, but also the tone of voice he had used when he had addressed the empress as 'Eirena'. "It is not over yet. Please, if there is any way you can contact the generals on Michael's side... we must let them know. Good men are dying, fighting a war that's already decided. The time for grief must come later..."

Novoa Hadrianopolis,
Constantinopolis Secundus

The appearance of Yevlena Parnassia, the head of the Fifth Bureau, was the sign the Duskers had been waiting for. From two separate firing positions, Barrett M99s took aim and fired. A total of five guns spoke, the impressive distance from these firing positions allowing the .50 BMG slugs hit even before the sound of the discharge was heard. The Rangerians were leaving nothing to chance: a single sniper might miss, but to dodge five carefully-aimed shots was a feat indeed. And even if the shot wouldn't be immediately lethal, the heavy-caliber ammo would rip flesh and bone like wet cloth.

(Bump)