The Waters Of Alissia (WW2, The war to end all wars, Closed)

[The Halseyist Faction]

Standing Alissian Naval Strength

"Home Fleet" = Primary Purpose, Protecting the waters around the Alissian Capital city and primary ports.

1 Super-Dreadnought Class, (Flagship ARS Daybreaker, Fleet Admiral Marcus Smith)
1 Dreadnought Class,
3 Battleship Class,
1 Battlecruiser
1 'Advance' Cruiser
8 'High' Cruisers
12 Cruisers
22 Destroyers

(four dozen smaller craft, principally of civilian designation)

"2nd Fleet" = Primary Purpose, Securing the waters around the Alissian Colony of Norfolk

1 Dreadnought Class, - The ARS Skyfall Admiral Jeffery Scutter
2 Battleships
2 Battlecruisers
2 'Advance' Cruisers
4 'High' Cruisers
10 Cruisers
18 Destroyers

(Two Dozen various support craft)

"3rd Fleet" = Primary Purpose, Defending the waters around the lost Alissian Colony of Southport, now relegated to patrol duties.

1 Dreadnought Class - The ARS Starlight Admiral Peter Steel
2 Battleship Class
1 Battlecrusier
2 'Advance' Cruisers
2 'High' Cruisers
10 Cruisers
12 Destroyers

"Sliver Fleet" = Designated Fleet for convoy patrol duties. Functions only in small scattered groups.

1 Battleship (ARS Lady Grey Admiral Phillip Williams)
2 Battlecruisers
1 'Advance' Cruiser
8 Cruisers
8 Destroyers

"Iron Fleet" = Offensive Detachment, Used in times of war for convoy raiding.

2 Battlecruisers (Flagship ARS Dignity Rear-Admiral Carlos Storm)
2 'Advance' Cruisers
1 Cruiser
4 Destroyers

"Steel Fleet" = Offensive Detachment, Used in times of war for convoy raiding.

2 Battlecruisers (Flagship ARS Honour Rear-Admiral Louis Vandeburg)
2 'Advance' Cruisers
1 Cruiser
4 Destroyers

"Stone Fleet" = Offensive Detachment, Used in times of war for convoy raiding.

2 Battlecruisers (Flagship ARS Duty Rear-Admiral Michael Harris
4 Cruisers
4 Destroyers

"Flag Fleet" = Prime Fleet of Alissia, the heart of the Alissian Navy, to set sail and fight toe to toe with rival navies in hostile waters.

1 Super Dreadnought (Flagship ARS Eveningtide Fleet-Admiral Jason Ironheart)
1 Dreadnoughts
4 Battleships
2 Battlecruisers
2 'High' Cruisers
14 Cruisers
14 Destroyers

"Imperial Defense Fleet" = Primary Purpose, Protecting the Isle of Kings Landing

2 Dreadnought Class (Flagship IARS Silent Dusk Fleet Admiral James Nottingham)
4 Battleships
12 'High' Cruisers
16 Cruisers
30 Destroyers

Two Dozen Support Craft

"Imperial Expeditionary Force" Primary Purpose Escorting detachments of the Imperial Guard, and convoys bearing supplies for said forces.

IARS Empress' - Imperial Naval Flagship, 12 Twelve inch guns. (Super - Dreadnought Class) - Flagship of the Great Fleet, Lord Admiral Alfred Horton
2 Battleships
4 Battlecruisers
6 'Advance' Cruisers
14 Cruisers
12 Troopships
30 Destroyers

Two dozen support craft.

(306 Ships plus support craft. July, 1914)

In addition -

Mothballed Craft -

3 'Submarines' The Ice, Snow, and Frost. One is kept as a museum boat moored in a dock on the outskirts of the City of Majesty. A second is kept as a training boat in York, while the third is also at York, party dissembled in drydock.
1 'High' Cruiser 'The Excalibur' An almost finished prototype, work was never fully completed on this vessel. Instead it is used to test engineering theories and the practical application of upgrades to existing boats as well as additional training. (Principally of the mechanical kind) It is moored afloat at York.
1 Battleship 'Lord Sutton' Due to be decomissioned after the last war, and still suffering minor damage, the Sutton is in the process of being disarmed and preserved for posterity. The process is about 20% complete. She is currently afloat at Bridge.

Training vessels -

The Battleship 'Sir Coldwater' a rather aging vessel is often found sailing between Avalon and Majesty. Removed of the majority of her working guns, and containing only a part crew, the Coldwater is a training vessel, used to allow young officers in training a first shot at command and practical sailing duties. While theoretically capable of self defense she is little more threat than a light cruiser, although substantially better armored.
'Vale, Oxbirdge, Northview' Three old destroyers in otherwise full working order. Uses as escorts for the Coldwater, they too act in a training capacity, further educating officers in how to run a tight ship, and allowing crewmembers to serve in a safe environment on a fully active warship as well as practice high speed manovering.

Under construction -

The Alissian Empire currently has it's naval shipyards running at full capacity continuing to upgrade and replace the fleet. Approximately twenty vessels are in various stages of decomissioning, including two old battleships. Under construction are no less than 4 of the new 'Super Dreadnought' class, one is expected to be completed in December of each year. Two sister dreadnoughts are expected at the end of 1916, while the very last of the old Battleships is expected in January of 1915. Four Battlecruisers lie in various stages of completion, and it is expected that under current circumstances ten additional destroyers and five cruisers of varying designations should become operational each year, providing scrapping of the old hulls goes ahead as planned and nothing interrupts the flow of labour and parts.

[The Halseyist Faction]

Rear Admiral Storm looked grimly out from the bridge of his beloved ARS Dignity, Flagship of the Alissian 'Iron' Taskforce. It had been two hours now since they had breached the peace and sailed into Prinnian home waters. Doubtless his companion task forces had done so at their own points along the border. Fast ships all, designed singularly for firepower and speed his orders were simple and direct. To seek out all Prinnian targets of opportunity, to engage for a period of no longer than one hour, then to immediately withdraw across the border, regroup and return. On no account were they to engage any sizeable opposing warfleet, should they themselves be engaged the order was to immediately drop smoke overboard and withdraw.

It was distasteful to be allocated to raiding merchant shipping, but at least the idea was to do so in a civilized fashion. Vessels would be encouraged to surrender by well placed warning shots, their escorts would be targeted and destroyed. Then the vessels would be boarded a prize crew installed and sailed back to Alissia at maxim speed.

His crew was set, the word was given. The fleet was aboard. Indeed making ready for sail was the much vaunted Alissian main fleet, ready to take action in the wake of its raiding vanguard and seek out whatever force Prinna sent to sea in response and sink it outright... A bold move for the mear opening of the conflict.

'Right then men. The games afoot, eh?'

[The knights of kings]

Encryption type: 34s
Destination: All Prinnian naval porta
Classified

This is an order to all Prinnian ships of under the catergory 12.u.s. the Prinnian delegate has sent word that the Alissian fleet has put off an attack for several hours. stop. We are to take this time to deploy and perpare ourselves for any action to be taken by Alissian navy. stop. Prinnian war vessels to sink any Alissian ships be it civilain, merchant, and/or militiristic. stop. We are officaly at war. stop. Ports along the prinnian colony are to mobilize. God speed. stop.

Several hours later...

The damp dark haul seemed to be creeping in on Capt. James Hamzel, his feet clinked against the metalic surrondings as the chug of the engines echoed loudly. His ears were constantly bombarded by men calling out and the clatter of machinery. The lights flickered inconsistantly as they lit the room to a low dull light. Removing his fur lined coat and giving it to an under officer he steped through the hatch to another room with several officer looking at gauges and drawing lines on charts still visable in the low light. His eyes adjusting he smiled at his officers who inturn returned it with a salute.

Silently he moved his way to the ladder and raised himself up to peer through the conning towers hatch. The instant flash of ligh he expected never came, the sky was grey and the sounds of waves washing over them relieved his ears of the clatter of machines. In away it was soothing but the war like the clouds did not part from him. As he inhaled the cool brisk air, each breath with a feeling of gratitdue, he raised a pair of binoculars.

His vision was deluded though, the fog covering ominously like a blanket. As the U-boat chugged on he couldnt help but notice the darkening of a certain area of fog. Alissian perhaps? He wouldnt know that was what he though but as if god had smiled upon him a small break for several brief seconds lay out in ths shadows the definitive shape of an Alissian destroyer.

"Officer!" He shouted odown the hatch. The man below him waltzed over and pulled out a note pad.

"Sir." He replied.

"Take down the current time and put it in the log that we've spotted a naval vessel. Put down how far we are from port as well."

"May I ask the identification of the vessel Sir?"

Hamzel pushed his cap back and placed his eyes in the periscope and sighed. It was still distant but the U-boat was close enough for it to be practical to guess. They where also nearing torpedo range.

"Ah Alissian they have their own design. Oh, write down that I see a battlecrusier and several other vessels...I cant identify but Im assuming that its a destroyer."

"aye sir." The officer scampered like a rat through the dull light."

They would steer clear for now torpedos being quite valuble and a destroyer a fierce opponent. In the fog they would wait until the fleet passed perhaps with a spot of good luck they would disperse and leaving the heavy ships as was most likely to be part of this fleet exposed. The captain tapped his fingers on the railing as the shadow of the destroyer disappeared heading away from him. Yes they would wait and hide in the shadow, a strike later for now they would relay the ships current position and allow merchant vessels an easier time evading if only for a short time...

[Neo Arcad]

Neo Arcadian Navy ORBAT
High Seas Fleet

-5 Battlecruisers of the Federal-class
-7 Light Cruisers of the Town-class
-5 Armoured Cruisers of the Sturm-class

Full ship data found in H&F thread.

1200 Hours
Naval Station Welrond, Neo Arcadia

The High Seas Fleet of Neo Arcadia left port with much fanfare that morning. There was flag-waving, cheering crowds, and waving sailors on deck. The nation's navy was, after all, putting to sea; and though it might have been small, it was the symbolism of the gallant men of Arcadia going to bring the fight to the enemy that really was a psychological boost. The sailors were all cheerful, ready to go and "beat the filthy Reds", as many of them would put it. In the Admiral's ready room, aboard the AVF Muratvia, the air was slightly less cheerful; but nonetheless there was a can-do attitude in the air. The Admiral and his staff were hard at work, planning their method of attack. They would sail out to the open ocean, and make their way to the northern part of the sea between Alissia and Prinnia. There, they would fan out a bit and go to work, cutting off any and all sea trade in Orusia and Prinnia. There were a dozen assorted auxiliary cruisers and merchant raiders which would be up to similar mischief across the continent within a week or two. And that would have the added effect of discouraging Burkia from joining the Northerners. The Fleet's task, though, was different: provoke the Prinnian or Orusian fleets into hunting for them. With only five battlecruisers and a dozen other warships, they were not able to easily win a stand-up battle; but they didn't need to fight one. They would simply make the enemy's ships spread out to look for the raiders, and ambush them, one ship at a time.

It was time to bring down the hammer.

[The Halseyist Faction]

'Commander! ... Commander!' Cadet Sutton waved frantically from the deck of the Alissian Destroyer Lightening. 'I saw something, in the fog, starboard side!'

Ducking back into the crammed framework of his bridge, Commander Ian South snatched up a pair of binoculars and turned to the Starboard side. Just for the moment he thought he saw something, long and low in the thick fog, then nothing. Frozen he remained watching for another minute, but there was no further sign.

'Trouble Sir?' Lieutenant Andrews manned the engine telegraph, his own gaze directed to the silent waters before the point ship of Iron Detachment.

'Thought I saw something in the water. Could have been a merchant barge, or perhaps a low cruiser. But there's no sign now, no smoke either.'

'Orders?'

'Signal Flag, inform them suspected ship sighted, at 3 O'clock, suspect two miles distant. Stress unconfirmed nature of the sighting and request permission to investigate.'

'Aye Sir.'


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

Iron Detachment Flagship ARS Dignity.

'Rear-Admiral Storm?' A rating poked his head respectfully into the officers mess, it was after all late evening and the fleet officers were enjoying a spot of tea before retiring for the night. 'Message for you from Lighting on point.'

Storm raised a hand gesturing for the man to come over to his table. 'What is it Sailor?' His teacup returned to the tray as the conversation around him gradually subsided.

'She reports an unconfirmed sighting off her starboard bow. Requests permission to investigate. No urgency attached.'

'Very well. Give them permission to break off. Have the Valiant take up point in her stead. No more than one hour, Mr Tanner, I will not have the fleet chasing ghosts in this fog.'

'Aye aye, Captain.' With that he hurried off again, pausing only to salute as he fled the officers mess to the telegraph station.

'So tell me Admiral, what exactly do we know about the Prinnian Navy?' That was Junior Commander Stone. For him this was breakfast, he was due to take the nightwatch.

'Not as much as we'd like Stone. Command seems to think we have them vastly out classed. Lot of merchant interests and escort vessels. The normal number of capital ships you might expect from a lesser nation... But a lot of experimentation with this submarine nonsense. Supposedly they think its more important than investment in capital ships!'

'Ha! Jolly funny. Did they not read the Alissian Insitute of Naval Science paper on the invalidity of sub surface ships in Naval Warfare?'

'I would imagine not, Stone. You have to remember they do not have nearly the experience that we do at sea. No, if the best they can manage is a bunch of outdated line ships and some leaky unarmored submarines that'll half sink themselves, we'll all be home by Christmas. Now, whose for another round of tea, eh?

Meanwhile, the Lighting summoned her crew to warning stations and the officers abandoned their meal moving to man half weapons and observation stations. Banking to Starboard she set off through the misty gloom, eyes peeled for a mysterious merchant ship and perhaps the first kill of the war...

[The knights of kings]

The Prinnian U-boat slipped like a dagger through the waves as the sky grew dark and the fog still present. The clouds showed no signs of remorse or any thought of leaving, or atleast thats what Capt. Hamzel thought as he stood erect on the conning tower a black pair of binoculars in his gloved hands. It was a lonely job and a dangerous one at that, Prinnia having researched extensively into the matter of submarine warfare. Yet even so he seemed to enjoy the solitude and freedom of travel even if it was completely the opposite once inside. Regardless he kept his mind at the task at hand peering, waiting for the fog to disperse, for just a small glance at the enemy. Then another small break in the fog, though it was now increasingly difficult to see through the damned darkness! Still, undisputably closing in on them was a ship...an Alissian ship. Hamzel froze and peered again through his binoculars, they couldnt be more then a mile maybe even less away.

Like a ghost a lone whistle blast came from the direction perpindicular to the Alissian vessel and U-19. Hamzel astonished turned towards the direction of the whistle to see a Prinnian merchant ship making haste to escape what it had just found. The Prinnian merchant vessel had saw the Alissian navy thinking it was the Prinnian surface fleet only to be all too wrong. Hamzel grit his teeth but then a light went off in his head. The Prinnian merchant ship would draw the destroyers attention...

"Officer!" Hamzel shouted down the hatch. A man whose face smudged with grease appeared and saluted. His figure even more dim in the darkening sky.

"Yes sir?" He shouted back over the constant hum of machinery.

"We have an Alissian destroyer and a Prinnian Merchant vessel ahead. Prepare two torpedos and ready to fire on my mark! " Hamzel cried down the hatch again. The officer below saluted and scampered off again. They would submerge soon waiting for the strike as the Prinnian merchant vessel undoubtly caught the Alissians eye.

aboard the Gullet

Capt. Gunther Rol stared mind blank as the fog infront of him disappeared revealing the broad side of an Alissian Destroyer. He had made a large error, he had gotten a warning but ignored it. Maybe they could just slip away, maybe they didnt notice. But Why shouldnt they he had blasted the whistle in the state of mind that it was the Prinnian surface fleet. His whole crew seemed to move silently gitty with excitement. They had reason too but they werent designed to take on a ship that big! Only small vessels and any rare U-boats they came across...this was going to get interesting...

[The Halseyist Faction]

Lightening

'All Crew to Battlestations, All Crew to Battlestations, Hostile vessel sighted!' Captain Jenkins pulled himself rung over rung up the ladder to the aft entrance to the bridge. He had been on his way to the bridge at a much more sedate pace just a few minutes ago after he had been informed of some nonsense about a potential Prinnian Vessel to starboard. Clearly, there had been less nonsense than he had thought.

'Situation!' His voice was a crisp bark, demanding both attention and information.

'We've got one Prinnian heavy transport turning away to Starboard. Looks like she might be the Gullet Sir, last reported docked in one of their major harbors. Suggest she's making an export run. No sign of an escort.' One could touch the tension in the air with a knife. This was it, this was no colonial war, or failed attempt to repress a colonies desire for independence. This was the beginning of a full scale war against an independent world power...

'Alright then. Signal them to stand down and turn off their engines. Load all guns, and signal command we are about to take our first prize of the war. Close to boarding distance as soon as they slow down. Any delay, fire a warning shot across their bow.'

'Aye Sir!' Swiftly the black hull of the Alissian destroyer crept closer to the semi helpless Prinnian transport, unaware of her stealthy submerged companion...

[The knights of kings]

E.E.C Gullet

Capt. Rol made his way around the deck as several others eneter what appeared to be lare crates covered in tarps. The sky was growing ever more ominous as the sun slipped away leaving only the dark cold waters around them. Yet his duty held him stead fast as he shouted orders to cut the engines and lower the colors. The Ol' Grey was lowered from her flag post and neatly folded. Still shouts and calls came out of every single hatch as men prepared or atleast seemed to prepare to depart from her. They even made a point to ready the life boats in case of a boarding and they where forced off. Rol knew the international laws that a boarded crew had to be safely removed before their merchant ship was towed or sunk. Then again something on this scale had not happened before in such a modern era.

"Sir what about the...cargo..." A nervous sailor asked quite literaly shaking in his boots. Rol only gave back another nervous smile.

"We have to prepare it!" he couldnt hide the quiver in his voice. The mans face pale even in the looming darkness. The crash of the waves against the hull slowly growing quiet as the enginecut off.

"Aye but were not ment for something like this..."

"We carry on act paniced but also with dignity." Rol told the man trying again to act put some faith into the man. All the while the Alissian destoryer drew closer her sailors uniforms now becoming visable to the merchant crew.

U-19

The U-boat stalked like a predetor from the old age when gigantic lizards ruled the earth. Inside the dimly lit control room Hamzel pondered over some charts, the ship the Alissians were after was named the Gullet. Curious that the ships name came up in the register only several times before being...decomissioned then suddenly put back into service. The East empire tading company though an international company made no qualms over supporting the Prinnian war effort thus its ban in several countries during war time. Regardless Hamzel stalked the destroyer as it made its way through the waves to the Prinnian merchant vessel. Hamzel peered at his watch and looked at his men through out the control room. They returned with gitty stares of excitment for an attack, to prove the new innovation that the Prinnians had placed so much faith on could strike without warning in a military situation.

"Both Torpedos ready, sir." A man whispered as if afraid the alissians could hear them below the waves. His face was covered in sweat and grease but his face too reflected excitment. Hamzel nodded last he had checked the Prinnian merchant vessel had come to a complete stop and the Alissians were coming up on them in what seemed to be a boarding position unless they intended to blow her up sky high at point blank range. Even so that wasnt Hamzel concern he had positioned himself so that the his torpedo tubes aimed dead center of the Alissian destroyer to ensure a clean hit and hopefully a critical one at that. Two torpedos where ready but Hamzel just needed one the other was a back up in case he missed. They would wait for the moment that the Alissians came to a near stop to board and then they could begin this war...

[The Halseyist Faction]

"All hands stand by to board! Man the guns! Officers to your stations!" The pandemonium of war was upon the lighting the figures of the Alissian crew running back and forth like rats in a cage, seeking every preparation for their first offensive action of the war. Inch by inch the transport drew closer, the Alissians starboard bow teaming with men to greet her. Twenty soldiers in all, men of the Alissian Naval corps, rifles in hands lead by a daring and gallant junior officer, fire in his eyes.

Behind them one of the ships turrets pointed menacingly, a point blank unmissable shot aimed at the transports bridge.

"I am Commander Alexander Strong of her Majestic Navy. You will surrender your ship, abandon your vessel and sign papers to never set sail in Alissian waters again. Failure to comply and we will be forced to treat you as a combatant in open waters, and act accordingly. This is your only warning!"

Brandishing a pistol, he prepared to leap aboard...

[The knights of kings]

Gullet

Rol stepped along the railing as the Alissian destroyer pulled up next to them and came to a slow agonizing stop. He saw twenty men on the bow and an officer spouting words about surrendering. Not that it actualy mattered the destroyers heavy guns pointed directly at them so taking this as a threat Rol kept quiet. His crew acting confused scurried about shouting random commands. With courage Rol ordered his men to come to the railing with their hands up. The crew was small or atleast it appeared that way shadows cast behind crates and tarps fluttered ominously. With his hands raised Rol shouted at the top of his lungs into the darkening air.

"We submit and are unarmed please we are just merchants!" Rol tried to hide his excitment by sounding scared which in truth he actualy was.


U-19

Hamzel grinned in the darkness of the control room his men staring back ghostly but at the same time alive. The fumes where strong but they didnt notice. The clatter of machinery resounding off the small compartment walls. A man next to Hamzel held a pocket watch in his hands which shivered violently. Hamzel tried to give him a reassuring smile, they where pointed directly in the center of the Alissian destroyer with a torpedo that could slice her in half if they where lucky. With the Alissian destroyer stopped to board they wouldnt be able to start up fast enough to avoid being struck.

"Alright torpedo one." Hamzel whispered into the darkness. The tension spread through out the u-boat men on the edge of their seats or on tip toes. The man with the watch shuddered with a new intensity.

"Fire!" Hamzel shouted and with that the u-boat shuddered and a loud creaking sound was created as the torpedo left its tube. Suddenly there was silence the man with the watch counting out the seconds. They sat quietly hoped and prayed for a sound.

The torpedo rushed through the dark waters dead center to the stopped Alissian destroyer. Whether or not they noticed it didnt concern Hamzel. It was dead on and the Alissians had no where to run even in this open ocean. With a small trail of bubbles at the surface the large torpedo cut on without mercy.

[The Halseyist Faction]

'Commence boarding action on my command!' Rifles were raised threateningly as the sailors prepared to take control of the merchant ship as Alexander brandished his pistol. With a gentle bump the ships merged, the railings touching as the destroyer came to a full stop behind the Prinnian shipping. 'BOA...'

Krump.

With an almost unimpressive dull thud the torpedo impacted squarely on the middle of the destroyer, well below the waterline unleashing tons of water into the Lightening. Five men died instantly, killed in the explosion, six more shortly followed as the flooding took the lower compartments. On the surface Alexander never got to finish his sentence, knocked off his feet as she ship shook violently before taking on a slow list to starboard. One of his men was even less lucky, tossed off his feet forward rather than backwards he fell in the gap between the two ships crushed moments later into a sickening red gore paste.
Of those remaining another five abruptly lost their footing but the remainder were more sound. With a war like yell they abandoned their positions on the Destroyer and lept aboard the merchant vessel, guns trained upon her crew.

On the bridge action was no less frantic, hurried orders to seal the downstairs hatches coupled with savage damage reports. Seconds remained to find out the extend of the damage. It was not too late to save the Lighting if her crew were quick enough the damage could be contained, the rest of Task force Iron were minutes away.

Upon the rear of the deck, Commander Smithsonain was thoughtful enough to grab a distress flare a red light arcing into the sky as the list to port grew ominously bigger...

[The knights of kings]

E.E.C Gullet

Rol nodded to his men as the two ships bumped softly together. The men glared at each other with grim looks as the Alissian sailors prepared to jump aboard. With a war cry Rol brandished a C94 pistol from his holster under his coat firing off a lone shot randomly placed into the Alissian boarders. Yet right as everything began to spin into motion the Alissian destroyer shifted with a creak and her men lost balance, one even falling to his death in between. Shocked Rol's men stood silent but then the Alissians who had regained their balance jumped aboard guns trained on the crew. Rol fired another shot.

"Arms!" Was the one word that could be heard clearly over the panic and choas. With that the small crew who stood along near the Alissian boarders brandished their own pistols and began to fire. Bullets whizzing every which way. Suddenly four large crates along the deck opened up, the sides falling down with a smash as if they had nails removed. In side the crates were 88mm deck guns already crewed and swiviling into position. Loaded with armor piercing rounds the air was filled with deck gun fire as the Prinnians dared to fight. Five smaller crates along the upper levels of the ship revealed Prinnian QF-1pounders and two Mg08's which peppered the deck. Hatches along the deck swung open to reveal that the ship had not been carrying cargo but rather their own boarding crew. Fully equipped Prinnian marines rushed up the ladders and steps with rifles blazing it was like the days of old as the Prinnian Marines attempted to board the destroyer during the choas. This was the reason that the Gullet had been decomissioned and then recomissioned. To act as a tasty target but to reveal her true nature.

Several Prinnians even carried swords and clubs for close combat. The crew though had been trainned to fight torpedo boats and submarines not a destroyer. Which left little doubt in Rol's mind who would be the victor. Yet he could go down clawing and scratching.

With the Alissian flare in the air glowing the lights of gunfire would also be seen. Just as the screams of men and the wailing of steel would be heard.

U-19

The resounding explosion was undeniable as the shock wave dissapaited in the water leaving only a gentle nudge in the way of the U-boat. The ghostly faces suddenly brighting with a loud cheer from everyone. Many stood and shook their fists in the air with cries of "We got um" or "Damn good shooting!" even Hamzel's face brimmed with excitment. The timer clicked his watch and shouted the time it took. Yet even in the wake of their first hit Hamzel's face which smiled showed some concern. The question racked his brain. Should they fire another torpedo just in case? Alissian ships were notorious for their armor ans sturdy structures. If the Alissian destroyer didnt go down what was the point? With that in mind Hamzel stood erect and everyone quieted. Eyes locked on the dark figure.

"Fire torpedo two." He demanded. The men where astonished. When they didnt jump to it Hamzel growled.

"I said fire damnit!" The men jumped into action. An officer leaned in close to Hamzel whispering.

"We will only have four torpedos left sir! Why waste another?"

"I order you to fire if that ship doesnt go down they will chase us like dogs and we will die without even a kill. I came to sink not to wound!" Hamzel barked loudly even as the control tower was filled with noise. Seconds later the reassuring creak of the second torpedo cutting through the water was the onlying thing that Hamzel was happy about.

"Alright get us out of here. Put us back to port in the Prinnian colonies. Be sure to be several miles out before surfacing." His tone less demanding. His crew didnt dare do any less. As the second torpedo rushed towards the Alissian destroyer Hamzel and his men began to slink off.

[The Halseyist Faction]

Below the hatches were sealed. By some minor miracle the Alissian crew had been fast enough to act in time to save their ship, decades as masters of the sea had clearly not tamed the Alissian lion although another seven of the crew now lay drowned beyond the hatches. The situation on the deck however was fairing much worse. Such violent tactics from a civilian ship had caught them utterly unprepared. Trice the ship was hit with shells, crippling the aft turret and blowing a hole in the starboard decking and bridge superstructure while on the deck another ten of the crew were shot dead were they stood.

However she was far from finished yet. With a roar the forward turret opened up, already trained at point blank range on the Gullet's bridge. At the same time the remainder of the boarding party leapt aboard Alexander Strong, arm already bleeding from a grazing pistol shot, leaping aboard with him pistol blazing.

'FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY!' Rifle rounds pinged off the decking before the combat rapidly descended into a violent melee. Including Alexander, 11 armed Alissian's now remained on the merchant vessel, while the single remaining deck gun was rapidly reloading. Three of the boarders already lay dead, two shot at point blank range another cut down by sword.

It was then the second torpedo hit.

[The knights of kings]

U-19

Hamzel walked the length of the u-boat as it slunk away into the now black sky, the only light coming from the stars and the fires licking the sides of the destroyer and freighter. They were still submerged and the smell of oil and clatter of machinery was all that Hamzel needed to know he still lived. The confines of the u-boat made everyone feel enclosed and trapped a feeling that could only be let go with experiance. Although the feeling of having two succesful hits on an Alissian destroyer was still in the air. The ghostly faces beeming with pride as they past by him with a salute. He happily returned it with a pat on the back and a large smile. They were on course for home leaving the freighter to fend for itself against the crew of the Alissian destroyer.

Hamzel returned to the control room where they began to ascend to the surface. When the control tower and the top of the u-boat was finaly exposed Hamzel took it upon himself to twist open the hatch personaly. Suddenly he was enveloped in the cool fresh breeze which only tempted him to clammer up on the slick metal surface. He broad smile cover his face as he inhaled deeply the cool air. The darkness enveloped him with the light coming from the tongues of flame some distance away already. He took out a pair of binoculars and pressed them against his eyes. The ships consistantly sinking over the horizan.

"Captain." The voice startled Hamzel, who peered down the hatch to see an under officer clammer out through the hatch like a rat.

"We need to keep on alert. Get someone to send a message to base and tell them we have an uncomfirmed kill and that several other ships should be in the area. I doubt a destroyer would be sailing alone." Hamzel commented slowly rasingthe binoculars back to his eyes. The officer nodded.

E.E.C. Gullet

Rol ducked behind a crate as the rest of the men with pistols did, two of them catching rounds to the chest burst with blood. Suddenly a crash as the bridge and the men inside were blown to bits scattering debri and scrap metal over the entire deck. It cast a brillant blaze as hot shreds zoomed into the sky. Two of the fifty men pouring from the hatchs where shredded by shrapnel. An entire deck gun crew cut down in a fire of bullets which continued on their rain of destruction.Bullets bounced every which way with a hiss. The remaining deck crews loaded another round and fired the gun recoiling back spitting out a smoking case. The deck crew closest to the Alissian bridge traversed quickly so the shell would fire through. With a pull the gun spit out flames and a shell spun into the air.

On the deck the Prinnian marines peppered machine gun fire on the Alissian crews who either ran from stations exposed or attempted to jump aboard. Three more marines took bullets to the face making them crumple to the ground like dolls. Yet the fight carried on. Screams of the wounded and the lifeless stares of the dead filled the eyes of those still fighting.

[The Halseyist Faction]

It was chaos. The engine room was flooded, the pumps out of operation and water was flooding into the forward hold. On the deck of the Prinnian vessel, all but three of the brave men who boarded her lay on cold iron, either dead or disabled, the sounds of the dying filling the air. The Lighting's bridge stood in ruin, the half dead figure of her Captain still grimly hanging onto the wheel, although it was not responsive. Upon the back of the boat Commander Smithsoian provided limited cover with a rifle as four of the crew heaved a single lifeboat over board.

'Abandon Ship! Abandon Ship!' The cry was taken up by the survivors, many of whom had already been shot dead by the aggressive fire coming from the Prinnan 'Merchant' vessel. Another two clawed their way over the railings and fell onto the deck, one still clutching his rifle the other with nothing beyond his fists. But the Lighting was sinking fast, the superstructure now empty of life, the torpedo room and its precious cargo the only part of the ship beneath the waterline still with breathable air inside.

But it had not all been in vain, before she was silenced forever the forward deck gun had left the Prinnian's a parting present, another shell tossed brutally towards their hull and Alexander Strong was not about to give up without a fight. Reloaded pistol in hand he leapt out from behind a crate, aiming for the figure of a man who claimed to have surrendered his vessel, shortly before breaching that surrender with fire, treachery and death.

'In the name of her majesty the Queen, I sentence you to death for warcrimes!' The pistol fired, a well aim shot heading straight for his traitorous heart - while a single sailor beside him took aim at a fresh target a pulled the trigger. Meanwhile, at the back of the ship, the last Alissian fought on armed with naught but a sword stolen from the corpse of one of the marines, attempting to break into the deck below.

[The knights of kings]

The Alissian shell ripped through the Gullets bowls like butter and sending large amounts of water spilling in. Several men below had been killed by the explosion while others simply drowned in the sinking vessel. Most of the Prinnian marines and crew lay dead and scattered all over the deck. All her deck guns silenced forever only a small machine gun was left in operation but her crew abandoned her when it became apparent that the vessel was doomed. Rol who fired his pistol continualy through out the battle spun around to find an Alissian officer. Rol felt a shiver go down his spine and before he could react a bullet tore through his body. He fell back confused but slowly he collapsed his back against the crate. His body limp. Rols first mate dashed to rescue him only to be blown back by a well placed round to the stomach.

The Prinnian ship slowly began to slip beneath the waces and all crew who didnt fight on jumped over board into the two life boats that had been dropped previously. The fight had come to an end and desperate Prinnians only ten left on board faught on with rifles firing rounds everywhich way. Yet it was clear that the fight for the Prinnian crew was over.

[Sigvardia]

Waters near Prinnian colony

Kaptein Matthias looked out from the bridge of the SRS Elverbrudd. He and the three other light cruisers of the Sigbergean navy had been sent out to perform commerce raiding operations against Prinnia. He was waiting for his scout plane to come back. After a half an hour he could see the sea plane coming back. It landed beside the cruiser and was recovered.

An orderly came up to the bridge carrying the pilots notes. Apparently a merchant vessel of Prinnia was passing by not too far away.
Kaptein Matthias ordered the message telegrammed to the rest of the raider fleet and had the Elverbrudd shift course to intercept.

[The knights of kings]

Prinnian Colonial waters

The Prinnian dreadnaught Konig sliced through the dark waters as it steamed to a nearby naval base from which it operated. As one of the new generation Konig class she could bring all her 30.5 cm (12 in) SK L/50 guns to fire on an enemy. One of the most powerful ships in the Prinnian navy she was protected by two light cruisers and a scout cruiser. Being tailed by a u-boat for any enemy merchant vessels, her orders to blast any enemy merchant vessel out of the water if they resisted and flee if they engaged anything that resembled an entire sea fleet. Small crusiers were acceptable to fire upon but no one on one duals with other battle ships.

Though on this day she was to escort a important piece of cargo on board the merchant vessel Daedra. This cargo had been deemed highly classified as not even the crew knew its final destination. Orders where to transport to the naval base to await pick up by several Prinnian agents to transport back to the mainland for further inspection. Yet the men who had found it where a fanatical bunch and very defensive of the crate they possesed. The Konig was under strict orders not to lose the merchant ship. It was around noon when an unknown aircraft flew over the horizan and spotted the merchant vessel.

Rear Admiral Louis Krutz strutted down the pilot house and stared with binoculars at the tiny thing buzzing around like a masquito. His face twitched slightly, no doubt they had seen the large merchant vessel steaming with them. Though it was questionable whether or not they had spotted the other vessels. Several officers joined him as they spotted the craft.

"You think they spotted us?" One man asked quietly.

"I think they only spotted our merchant vessel...though its hard to say for certain." Louis spoke softly.