Winchester City, Newtdom
1:45 P.M.
It had been a beautiful day in the capital of Newtdom, the sun shone down, reflecting off the granite and alabaster mounted around the entirety of the stone fascia of the ancestral home of the Kings of Winchester. The empire was consumed in the ever growing regional tension brought on by war mongering fools, posturing their wish for wanton destruction through some semblance of decency. Yet the decent thing to do would be to allow a nation to do as they pleased, at least this was the official message from the Court of Winchester.
On account of the beautiful weather,the Emperor decided to take his mid-afternoon briefing while riding the secluded royal trails on the outskirts of the city. Their Andalusian mounts, known as the Horse of Kings, were some of the purest Carthusian pedigrees in the world, an ancient gift from the Crown of Aragon. Wearing traditional riding garb, each jacket signifying a different rank in terms of their horsemanship abilities.
The group rode the extensive trails, one by one various advisers clad in green jackets rode next to the red-coated Emperor updating him on various issues throughout the region, world, and empire. Finally, the only man in a black hunting jacket made his way to the front of the party. "Your Majesty." was all he said. The party continued down the trail for a few moments, when finally the Emperor turned his head slightly to the right, his pale blue eyes cutting through the officer in black.
"General," he said softly as to not frighten off the signing whip-poor-wills, "We are glad you could make it this afternoon. There is much to discuss."
"Aye, sire" said the career officer, "the situation regarding Milograd is certainly escalating quickly. However, 6th Army Group is making final preparations for its operation and will be supported by 15th Sea Fleet in its entirety."
The Emperor nodded, and said "Edward, my lad, there is a reason you were picked for this and not a Field Marshall. We do not expect this to turn into a quagmire. You will support our allies in whatever means you deem necessary. Our thoughts are geared more towards this issue in Varathron. Well, never-mind that, have you read this response to our condemnation by this Dneprdaniyan captain...uhh...Stepanov?"
The general grinned "Yes sir, I have. Quite a bit of gall with that one."
The Emperor continued "Indeed, brave...but stupid. We want him alive, if possible. We want to see if he is so brave when he will be hanged, drawn, and quartered for his insolence. We suspect he will quake in his boots, cry uncontrollably and piss himself like so many others before him."
The general was a bit taken back by the openess of the Emperor, stuttering he replied "Your wish is my command sir, I will do all in my power to drag him before you."
The Emperor then turned his head back to his front, "Good luck and God Speed, Earl Connolly."
The general bowed his head "Thank you, your Majesty, I shall take my leave." Connolly then rode out in front of the party, reared his horse, turned in the opposite direction and raced off. Through the various short cuts and paths he rather quickly made his way back to the Royal Stables, and then to his waiting black Rolls Royce Phantom drop-head coupe.
The military chauffeur and the general's attache stood at attention as he paced to the already opened car door. After the general returned their salute, the three men quickly took their seats and the sleek car sped off, escorted by four motor-police units.
Simultaneously
Port Arthur
65 Miles Northwest from Winchester City
Port Arthur was one of the primary naval installations of the Empire. The sprawling complex of buildings, runways, and its naturally defended deep water port made it ideal for the launch of many large scale operations. Albeit one of several such bases throughout the empire.
Vice-Admiral Marcus, Baron Howell oversaw the preparations of both the invasion fleet and its escort, the 15th Sea Fleet. War material and many of the troops necessary for the initial operation were already loaded onto the transport ships and amphibious assault ships making up the bulk of the invasion fleet. The plan called for the vanguard to amphibiously assault the shores of Dneprdaniya, supported by the fleet, to create a beach head and allow the majority of the 6th Army Group and its supplies to be flown in via C-17 Globemasters and C-5 Galaxys.
The admiral was an experienced line-officer in the Empire's navy, and was well thought of by senior staff officers. However, this would be his opportunity to prove he was able to command an invasion fleet. An unwritten prerequisite to move to a senior level in the navy and to gain command of a Grand Fleet, and not one of the smaller Sea Fleets.
As dusk grew ever closer, the admiral remained vigilant high above the fleet's loading platform. He had been here most of the day, in a relatively small office that allowed him to oversee the work being done below, though he would occasionally make the rounds speaking to the various logistics officers, and ship's captains who would make up the bulk of his subordinates. As Howell finished writing an order, a knock at the door broke his concentration. He pointed at a chief petty officer, a signal to open the door.
In walked General Connolly, the two officers spoke for quite awhile, trading both the common pleasantries of the aristocracy and serious discussions on tactics and logistics for the operation. As night fell, the final ships were loaded, and the combined force, known internally as INDNEPCOM, would be ready to sail.
As the final ship made its way from the loading platform and out into the harbor, Connolly and Howell, flanked by much of their close staff, boarded the waiting tender which would bring them to the fleet's flagship, the NRS Conqueror , an imposing Chamberlain Class dreadnought. Though not as impressive as the Imperium Fleet Class Super-Dreadnoughts, the Chamberlain Class had been upgraded to meet the needs of the modern world. It would serve as the fleet's command and control ship, along with the basis for much of the ship-to-shore bombardment capacity of the fleet.
After the men boarded the vessel, the fleet was ready to move. It was a dark night with the moon in its waning crescent stage, but clear nonetheless. the Conqueror made its way to its position deep within the protective lines of the supporting fleet. As the clock struck midnight the order was given, and the entire invasion fleet began its long journey to the shores of Dneprdaniya.
OOC: I will add more a little later this evening, I wanted to get this up as soon as I could.
Edit 1: Some grammar and spelling, along with the additional two paragraphs.
