Declaration of War on Spodystan (Semi-Open, TG for Entry)

[Alexiandra]

The War on Spodystan

A roleplay by members of the Escar community

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Alexiandran Communiqué

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From the hand of His Majesty, King Teutonis II of the Escari Imperial Union

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I write this missive with a heavy heart. The Armed Republic of Spodystan, which has long been considered a respectable and decent nation by the Imperial Union, has strayed down the path of folly. Misled by the lies perpetuated by the socialist regime in the North African Empire, the Spodystanian government has refused to cease reconnaissance flights over Tebekistan. These flights violate the territorial airspace of a sovereign nation, and must be halted by any means necessary.

As a result, Alexiandra is now at war with Spodystan.

Hostilities will cease when or if Spodystan agrees to the solitary term I have issued - the complete and unreserved withdrawal of all Spodystanian military units from Tebekistanian territory.

Signed,

King Teutonis II of Alexiandra, Marshal of the Bittermark and Emperor of the Escari Imperial Union.

[Spodystan]

Olsen Key Air Force Base
Olsen Key, Spodystan

Captain Vorshankov scrambled to his Rafale, he was launching to provide a CAP over Olsen key with 3 other Rafales, ahead of them, a flight of 2 Tu22M's lifted off the runway. Loaded with standoff missiles to be used against Alexandrian naval targets. Vorshankov waited for the backfires to disappear into the clouds, then the tower gave him the green light, he throttled up down the runway, the roar of the Rafales twin engines drowning out the tense radio chatter. He had every right to be worried. Spodystan was now at war with one of the most powerful and influential nations in Escar, but he was sure that the Alexandrians would back down if Spodystan put up an effective fight.

[Alexiandra]

Deltos Royal Navy Base
Southwest Escar
100 nautical miles off Lockbourne
12:02 PM

Mighty Deltos had been the nexus of Alexiandran naval power since the country's foundation. Its long beaches, sheltered coves and calm Mediterranean climate made it the ideal military stronghold - this afternoon, dozens of warships were using its natural assets to full effect. The island's twelve dockyards were packed full of vessels seeking repairs and last-minute adjustments; the capital, Delphios, was full of rowdy sailors enjoying their last few hours of shore leave. Every so often, a formation of jets would sweep low over the island, eliciting cheers from the crowds thronging the streets: today, for the first time in nearly four years, Alexiandra was going to war.

The Spike-class frigate RUS Riptide, during a maneuver that would take it due east, came within sight of the island's largest public pier - its horns bellowed a final salute to the patriots and hobbyists crammed onto the narrow wooden outcropping. Aboard the ship, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Sergei Novikov winced at the gesture. His eardrums recoiled from the sudden noise, almost causing him to drop the ammunition crates he was hauling towards the CIWS system mounted on the ship's stern.

Unlike many navies, the Imperial Union's maritime force chose to place its commanding officers on the faster, more nimble ships. Today, the Riptide was the designated chariot of none other than four-star Admiral Hackney Reckitt, overall commander of the sea effort against Spodystan. Sergei had taken an instant dislike to the man - he seemed likeable enough on a personal level, but his very presence put tremendous pressure on the crew of the Riptide. If the worst were to happen, they would go down as the fools who lost the nation's brightest military mind.

The coruscant waves lapping against the ship's stern were a cool shade of aquamarine - they spat foam at Sergei as he approached the CIWS. His brother, Lukas, was already there.
"Ah, Lukas," said Sergei. "You always were faster than me." His younger brother grinned in response; a dozen empty cans of ammunition lay scattered about his feet.
"Come," said Lukas. "I have something to show you."
They eloped to the very rear of the ship, traversing three ladders in the process. By the time they arrived at their destination, Sergei was growing impatient.
"What is it, Lukas?" he asked. "I'm needed elsewhere." Only when he looked up did Sergei realise what he was here to see - a spectacle he would never forget.

From the foreground of his vision to the distant horizon stretched a vast flotilla of warships. Painted in the stark, steely grey of the Imperial Navy, their hulls stood out against the bright waters around them. They reminded Sergei of a swarm of slugs, crawling slowly towards some unseen lettuce plant. Except these were no tiny vermin - they were giant machines of war, each of them ready and primed to deliver a tremendous explosive target to any location in Escar. "Sixty-four ships," Lukas muttered. "A real armada."

Sergei didn't hear him. He was still staring at the fleet. Beside him, the CIWS system gleamed in the sunlight; on its side, in bright red paint, shone the inscription "SPODYSTAN HERE WE COME".

[Spodystan]

100 miles north of Gatorsburg, in the ocean
SNS Ascari

Seaman josh Lawson was busy cleaning the landing pad of the Atago class destroyer SNS Ascari, the ship was part of the 2nd fleet, built around the beagle class aircraft carrier SNS Slanders. The fleet comprised 14 surface ships, the carrier, 4 destroyers, 6 frigates, 1 corvette, 1 cruiser and the Battleship Sheveske. In addition, 6 Submarines were to rendezvous with the fleet later that night. Lawson looked out on the horizon at the fleet, barely flinching as F18's from the Slanders screamed over his head on a low level pass. He then continued to scrub the deck, finishing just as the Sh60 came in to land. Pleased at his work, the seaman returned to the mess hall to get a quick bite before duty called him again. As he sat down the intercom screeched with a message from admiral Francis Von Lewis, who was on board the Slanders.
"All units listen up, reports are coming in that a Tu142 from naval aviation sighted an armada of Alexandrian ships leaving their ports and heading this direction, we have orders to hold them of with any means necessary if they engage. The Air Force and naval aviation have informed me that they are prepared the launch anti shipping strikes in our support. As of now however, all ships are to go to general quarters and await further instructions."
The intercom buzzed out, only to be replaced by the wail of a siren as Lawson scrambled to his post, a 50cal machine gun above the hanger.

[Kolintha]

The Empire of Kolintha

Official Communique

The Empire of Kolintha does hereby declare open war upon The People's Republic of Spodystan, due to it's recent blatant violation of The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan's national sovereignty, despite the warnings of more than one foreign power. Such illogical and destructive interventionist behaviour is typical and to be expected of socialist regimes, and when unleashed upon foreign powers, is not only a threat to the party on the receiving end of the aggression, but also a threat to our own national security. Hence, as a preliminary measure and to fulfill the promise made in an earlier message to the Tebeki government, we will commence offensive operations against Spodystan, until these socialist barbarians cease their campaign against Tebeki freedom.

Signed by:
~Valhyldra I, Light of the Icefields, Empress of the Empire of Kolintha, High Queen of the 19 Provinces, Sovereign Colonial of Montorra, Princess of Izlaya, Carrier of Starlight, Autocrat of all Kolinthans, Ruler of the Wind, Protector of the State, Daughter of the Revolution, Patron of the Guard Army, Lady of Kuznyr, Holder of the Crown, Supreme Leader of the People, Rightful Mistress of the Land and Guardian of the Northern Wastes.
~Hiodryk Vi Braube, Chief of the Advisory Office of Foreign Policy
~Grygori Vi Fiorytan, Chairman of the War Office
~High-General Eznerov Vi Storynski, Master of the Imperial Army, Bearer of the Empire Medal, Triple bearer of the Excellence in Command Medal and Loyal servant of the Empire.
~Grand-Admiral Mariya Yurigovich, Mistress of the Imperial Navy, Bearer of the Naval Medal of Gallantry and Loyal servant of the Empire.
~Supreme Air-Marshal Kiersti Vi Bunir, Mistress of the Imperial Air Force, Bearer of the Air-Force Medal of Excellence and Loyal Servant of the Empire.

The Empire of Kolintha

Encrypted Communique : The Imperial Union of Alexiandra and it's leadership

I, the Empress of Kolintha, ask for the cooperation of the Kolinthanese Armed Forces and the Alexiandran armed forces, to ensure that campaign goals are met to the highest degree of efficiency and to add to the military strength of both parties. We are willing to provide interpreters to assist communication between our high commands if necessary.

We would also like to inform your leadership of our plans. We have just now issued a mobilization order for four divisions: The 1st Motorized Infantry, The 4th Light Infantry, The 2nd Airborne, The 1st Armoured. The 2nd Airborne will be deployed in Tebekistan, and will be supplied by air once a suitable landing zone is secured.

The other three divisions will prepare for an invasion of Spodystan if hostilities do not end in the near future. The plans for the invasion are yet to be solidified, due to the sudden nature of this crisis. In the meantime, the 1st Fast Carrier Task Force will set sail from Pelogviosk-Kapitalen to bring Kolinthanese air power within striking distance of Spodystani targets. The 1st and 2nd fleets will be on standby in the event of Nerotysian aggression.

We look forward to your response.

Signed by:
~Valhyldra I, Light of the Icefields, Empress of the Empire of Kolintha, High Queen of the 19 Provinces, Sovereign Colonial of Montorra, Princess of Izlaya, Carrier of Starlight, Autocrat of all Kolinthans, Ruler of the Wind, Protector of the State, Daughter of the Revolution, Patron of the Guard Army, Lady of Kuznyr, Holder of the Crown, Supreme Leader of the People, Rightful Mistress of the Land and Guardian of the Northern Wastes.

[North African Empire]

OOC: This is just a response from the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, and not the United Arab Republics I will add a official diplomatic letter from them in my next post.

IC:

Official flag of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

To: The Government of Spodystan
Subject: Reconnaissance flights over Tebekistan

Greetings noble leader please allow me to introduce myself I am General Dayo Gueye, and I happen to be the Supreme Prophet of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan we have received news about your nation's reconnaissance flights over our sovereign territory from our allies. I myself find the idea very troubling in these times of tension between the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, and the United Arab Republics in eastern Escar. We created this nation to rid ourselves of Socialism, and now here you come trying to bring us back into the folly with the North African Empire, a nation led by a criminal herself in terms of North African politics. We will not stand for this anymore Spodystan has, become a enemy of the Islamic Republic and it will be treated as such by myself, and my government here in Ragi so as of this date consider our two nations formally at war.

Signed,

General Dayo Gueye
Supreme Prophet
Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Official flag of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

To: King Teutonis II of Alexiandra
Subject: Station on Tebek soil

King Teutonis I am glad to see that your nation has come to our aid, within this troubled times we just recently received word about the Spodystani recon flights over our beloved nation, and I just wanted to announce that we have formally recongized this new threat. It is a shame that a nation must go down the path of war, however if they must then so be it on the terms of both sides of the conflict. I hereby release my permission for your government to station Alexiandran troops on the sovereign soil of the Islamic Republic, and invite you to open up a embassy within our capital city of Ragi. The People's Republic of Spodystan must be stop, before they threat the whole region of Escar and it is time for the Islamic Republic to play it's part in the conflict.

I hope you will use this permission to station Alexiandran troops on our soil as an act of good faith, between the Imperial Union of Alexiandra, and the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan in the near future. I also invite your representative to travel to Tebekistan for diplomatic talks, and a well planned tour of Ragi I am sure that they will have a great time visiting our famous sites around the capital. Our military is not very well equipped, and trained but they are determined to defend both their homeland, and their families from the threats of Socialism.

Signed,

General Dayo Gueye
Supreme Prophet
Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Official flag of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

To: Empress Valhyldra I of Kolintha
Subject: Thank you for the support

Greetings Your Majesty I do not think we have had a chance to meet one another, and I must say I heard quite a lot about you from friends, but before we get into formal details about this message please allow me to introduce myself I am General Dayo Gueye of the Islamic Republic. I happen to be the Supreme Prophet of Tebekistan, and it's people I know you heard rumors of me being an ex-North African military officer in the past, and those rumors are true just to clear up any miss understanding between us. We are honored to have the support of the Empire of Kolintha, and of course it's well known Empress it is clear that Socialism is a threat to the region of Escar not to mention it's people. As with the Imperial Union of Alexiandra we invite you to open up a embassy, within our capital city of Ragi so we can begin formal relationships between our two countries.

I also invite your representative to travel to Tebekistan for diplomatic talks, and a well planned tour of Ragi I am sure that they will have a great time visiting our famous sites around the capital. Kolinthan troops will also be welcome on our soil in the outbreak of future conflict with the United Arab Republics, or with their overseas allies. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon Your Majesty about the talks, and tour of Ragi please if you have any questions please feel free to contact our Department of Foreign Affairs at anytime.

Signed,

General Dayo Gueye
Supreme Prophet
Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

[Kolintha]

Fydlosk Airbase,
Sarnya Province,
The Empire of Kolintha,
6:03 AM

Petra turned away from the vast bulk of the TRAKUUL-11 transport aircraft to see her boyfriend, Karl, running towards her up the runway with a hastily wrapped package. Some of her fellow soldiers laughed at his clumsy sprint. He was a civilian, plain as day.
"Petra! Why'd you have to go so suddenly? I wake up and bam, I hear you're leaving!" he spluttered as he finally reached her.
"Sudden mobilization orders hun. We're at war now. I don't even know whom with yet since they've yet to brief us. I got a phone call at 1 in the morning to get my arse to base ASAP. I'm sorry." She gave him a guilty smile. They had been intending to go to a dance today. Sadly the state had no major concern with the personal lives of it's rapidly deployable elements. They were to gear up and go as soon as they were pointed in any vague direction.
"Don't worry, you're a soldier, it's to be expected." He said, shrugging, "Anyway, I brought you all of your identification stuff, and a change of socks. You put them out on the dining table but forgot to take them with you. Stay safe, y'here? I don't want you coming home with five dozen bullet holes in you."
"Okay hun." She took the package and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, to the amusement of her comrades, then turned and made her way up the ramp of the aircraft.

She saw the Platoon leader staring angrily at his tablet, and muttering into his radio. Something about Spodystan and the UAR. He saw her staring and scowled. Eavesdropping wasn't exactly encouraged in the army.

--

As Karl left the airbase, he heard the speakers located all over announcing the departure of the troops transports and their escorting fighters. The airborne division would be heading to Tebekistan. He didn't have the slightest idea where that was. Geography was never his thing, and he rarely paid attention to the news. Wherever it was, he hoped the situation over there wasn't too dire.
There was an earth-shattering roar as the five transport planes soared into the air, followed by two groups of fighters, which looked like insects next to the behemoths they were escorting. Karl watched them fly, and gave a mock salute before leaving to sulk.

The War Office,
Kuznyr Province,
The Empire of Kolintha,
7:18 AM

Long ago, the War Office had been nothing more than a small wooden fort built into a steep hill, deep in the Kolinthanese wildnerness. Back then, it had been called the Liberation Nest, for it was the headquarters of the rebel organization that later went on to push the Holy Empire of Khornera out of Kolintha. After the revolution, it had been rebuilt and then expanded, until eventually it dominated the surrounding countryside. It's tall concrete walls and watchtowers could be seen from miles away on a clear day. Then a runway was added, followed by an underground railway leading to and from the Capital. The complex became the residence of the Kolinthanese high command in times of strife, and the Empress too.

Grigori had always held intense pride in the design of the Office. He had made a lot of the decisions himself after all. His favourite room was the Strategic Hall. It's design had in fact been inspired by many films, so it consisted of a round table with a screen embedded into the center, which was usually used to display maps. The grey walls were covered with monitors that displayed almost ridiculous amounts of information. Orders could be issued to any part of the Kolinthanese Armed Forces from just this room. It was the perfect place to decide on a method to dismantle the enemy.

The rest of the High Command were naturally already waiting, save for Her Imperial Majesty. Grigori greeted them all politely then sent for refreshments. Considering the situation, the atmosphere was surprisingly lighthearted. Kolintha's military glory was to be displayed to the world at last, and in an even more glorious crusade against the evils of socialism at that!

Her Majesty finally arrived in one of her neat little suits, and took the one free seat, apologizing for her lateness. It was then that Grigori stood and addressed the entirety of the War Office.
"Last night, as you are aware, the Empire officially declared war on Spodystan. Due to how suddenly we were informed of the Spodystani recon flights over Tebekistan, we were unable to issue early mobilization orders to the units we designated for combat operations. Currently, we have around 30% of the 2nd Airborne Division ready for combat, and five transport planes took off from an airbase in Sarnya today. As recommended by Ms Yurigovich we've deployed a considerable number of fighters to deliver the planes safely to their destination. They'll be flying quite a distance apart, to minimize losses if the enemy reacts, that way, the other aircraft will be able to turn back and we will consider our options from there. We do believe we'll be quite safe however, since the Spodystani airforce will likely be focusing on Alexiandran targets - for now at least. Our main concern is..."
"Nerotysia." The Grand-Admiral interrupted, "They're a wild card. Recently they've been pushing for closer ties with Alexiandra, but you never know what they'll do. What if they decide to shoot us down?"
"We planned the path of the aircraft to ensure they wouldn't fly over any Nerotysian territory, so any intervention by them would be an act of war, which I feel they wouldn't be too willing to wage." Grigori continued, gesturing to a diagram showing the route, "They are still a 'wild card' as you put it, Mrs Bunir, so we're prepared to negotiate with them if they do turn aggressive."
"What of the UAR?" The Grand-Admiral asked, "I doubt they'll sit by idly and just let us drop troops in what they see as their land."
"The fact that they haven't yet crushed Tebekistan shows they may be open to a less warlike solution." The Empress answered, before Grigori could even open his mouth, "In any case, I'm confident our aircraft are superior in terms of technology, if they do strike, we shall swat them down like flies."
"Indeed Your Imperial Majesty. I could not have said it better myself." Grigori said, with a respectful nod, "Now, once last item on the agenda: the actual time it'll take to deploy our forces, I believe General Storynski has compiled a report on the subject?"
"We have 26 TRAKUUL-11 aircraft as of present, and 10,000 men to transport. As has been already mentioned, 30% of the Airborne division has been mobilized. Complete mobilization will be complete within two days. But obviously it'll take a while to get all those soldiers into the theater: around three weeks, though that time can be cut down to around two if we switch to using heavy troop transports once a suitable landing area is found. Meanwhile, due to delays with equipment, the other divisions will take longer to mobilize than the airborne. If an invasion is necessary, we'll need at least two weeks to prepare. I personally recommend we start partial mobilization of other division-sized elements so that we're able to send reinforcements where they are needed when they are needed. That is all."

[Spodystan]

Somewhere above Tebekistan

Major Demetrev sat at the controls of his F55 Aurora as he cruised above Tebekistan. He was on a CAP mission to guard the Recon Flights, who were now being informed to launch strikes against Tebeki Military installations. He was proud to fly the Aurora, one of Spodystan's most effective combat aircraft, the F/A55 originated back in the late 90's after the Spodystani Air Force leased several Swedish Saab Gripens. The SPAF was so pleased with the Gripen that they ordered SAW defense systems to design a copy, SAW's design was, in effect, a enlarged Twin Engined, Twin finned Gripen. Over 200 were already in service and more on order. Demetrev, in addition to flying escort, was also to shoot down any aircraft that interfered with Spodystani operations. He scanned the skies, searching for Alexandrian,Kolinthain,or Tebeki aircraft that may threaten the recon flights, he was ready, already Spodystani pilots had reported missile lock from SAMs and a few even say that they were allegedly buzzed by Tebeki MIG's, the strength of the Tebeki Air Force was unknown so these reports could not be verified. Demetrev then looked down, 4 Backfires, wing's loaded with missiles, streaked in at supersonic speeds, they were attacking a major Tebeki military installation. The Major watched as the Backfires launched their ASM 45 Hellhound missiles at the Tebeki positions, the glow of their explosions lighting up the fog bank covering the land, Demetrev did not know what they had attacked but he did know one thing, the enemy was now determined to take Spodystani blood.

[Nerotysia]

The People's Union of Nerotysia
Official Communique
Public Announcement

The People's Union of Nerotysia is dismayed at how quickly her regional companions resort to war. The barbarousness of such actions cannot be described in words - what could have remained peaceful has exploded into violence. Such an outcome is never desired.

The People's Union wishes to make clear that its ultimate goal is peace in Escar. War will bring nothing but destruction and death, and this the world cannot afford.

However, the People's Union also wishes to make clear that it will not stand idly by as its allies are consumed by foreign aggression. The People's Republic of Spodystan, the United Arab Republic - Nerotysia will not tolerate any significant harm dealt to these states.

As such the People's Union would like to warn all belligerents that they teeter on the edge of a cliff, and that one wrong step will send them tumbling over the side. Nerotysia will not hesitate to use its full military and economic might to protect its allies and eradicate its enemies.

Tread carefully.

That is all.

Signed,

Dmitri Laskoy
General Secretary
The Nerotysian Peninsular Communist Party

---

Isla Cubela
Central Escar
The People's Republic of Vyrdaz

Veniamin Kintsel was tired of close calls. He had already faced too many to count, and now his patience ran thin.

Ensconced in the situation room of Port Kupelov, one of the three major Nerotysian naval ports in Vyrdaz, he mopped his brow and continued to pore over the digital maps projected before him.

He and his advisors huddled around one central table, upon which computer screens sat like trees in a forest. They ran back and forth, from screen to screen, yelling over the background din of a million aides doing everything else. Kupelov's situation room was the worst - Kintsel longed for the beauty and efficiency of the 'Blue Room' back in Cynagrad.

"Sir, we've recieved a response from the squadrons."

"Go ahead," Kintsel said, his voice rugged with age.

"They've reached Tebekistan, and are awaiting orders just outside of their sovereign waters."

Kintsel stood, his back audibly popping like bubblegum. He ran a hand over his chin, but he was only going over things once more in his mind, making sure everything else was ready. They'd already recieved orders from Shynsk - there was no decision to make.

"Alright. Tell them they're go for the blockade. Reinforcements will be available."

The aide nodded and rushed away.

---

International Waters
Central Escar
Off the Coast of Tebekistan

To Captain Vakhrov, the enromity and majesty of the ocean was matched only by the enormity and majesty of the fleet.

Such enormity was not well displayed as he looked down at his ships from the bow of the PS Lorkov. There were thirty-two ships total in the combined naval squadrons - twelve cruisers, nineteen submarines and one supercarrier. It was a small piece of Nerotysia's naval pie.

Nonetheless Vakhrov felt a slight rush as he looked down on the lovely things, sparkling bright white in the sunshine, their silver hulls smooth as skin and hundreds of times stronger. He rather lost himself in their glory, until a rude prod on his shoulder roused him. He turned and saluted, recognizing the man as one of his lieutenants.

"We've gotten orders, sir. It's a blockade."

Vakhrov sighed, turning back to the window. He shivered at the prospect of losing one of his beloved ships in battle, but such was the reality of war. He shook himself and spoke quickly and sharply.

"Let's move, then."

---

Code: Select all

To All Vessels of Task Force NC-III

The blockade is now in effect. No vessels are to enter or exit Tebekistan. Permission to eliminate noncompliant vessels granted.


[Saint Achille]

James Marten Sterling-President, Allied States of Saint Achille
EXCOM Briefing Room-Executive Mansion
Mercuto-Allied States of Saint Achille

The cloud of cigarette smoke hung like a pall over the room. The Executive Committee had been discussing now for several hours the proper course to take. EXCOM was divided on how to proceed on the Spodystani Question, as they had come to call it. President Sterling, Director Greenvarr, and Admiral Benton were pressing for military intervention. Secretary Chisholm was set against it, as was Alexander Sterling, the Attorney General and the President’s older brother. The rest of the room had fallen into one of the two camps, but were less outspoken, mainly bickering amongst themselves. The small room was hot, and tempers were beginning to flare. Most of the men were now only in their shirtsleeves, with neckties in various states of removal.

“General Wallace!”

James Sterling’s voice cut above the general clamor of the room.

“How many reconnaissance missions does the ASAF execute daily?”

The Air Force Chief of Staff turned from his sparring partner, the Secretary of Energy, and answered the President.

“Approximately twenty flights over foreign nations daily. During crises that number can easily spike at around forty or fifty.”

“And how many of those countries have given us express permission to carry out these missions?”

Secretary of State Chisholm spoke up in answer to the question.

“We have surveillance overflight agreements with three nations.”

President Sterling wiped the sweat from his brow with a bare forearm, his sleeves were rolled past the elbow.

“Exactly. Every day we carry out surveillance missions over nations that have not given us permission. We carry out these missions over more nations in a single day than Spodystan ever has. If we do not stand behind them, we could tacitly set an international precedent for military action against us in response to these overflights. We cannot sit by while regional powers strongarm a tiny nation for attempting to secure its own national security in the same way we have been for nearly forty years.”

The President was standing now, and everyone was listening. Alexander Sterling turned to him to respond.

“Our flights take place at a height considered far above what constitutes sovereign airspace and our surveillance craft are nearly undetectable on radar. Other countries haven’t not complained because there is no precedent, it’s because they don’t even know that we’re doing it. A military action would be a waste of money and political capital.”

James returned his brother’s glare with his own and fired back.

“Even if they are incapable of proving that we are flying over, you would have to be a fool to think that their intelligence agencies do not know about our overflight programs. Lack of action in support of Spodystan now will only embolden other nations to push harder against us. Maybe the smaller nations alone can’t push us, but together they can sour international opinion. What we have now is an opportunity to win public support at home and abroad. Even if other countries disagree with overflight missions, the Imperial Union has overstepped its bounds to such a degree that its actions are indefensible. They took no diplomatic action either through back channels or in the open and launched a war against a much smaller nation that had done nothing directly against them, nor committed any form of violent aggression against another nation. Provocative? Sure, but Spodystan has not been the aggressor by any stretch of the imagination. If we defend them now, we can unify international opinion and make ourselves look like the good guy coming to the rescue of a small nation beset by opportunistic, imperialistic bullies. If we miss this window than opinion will shift against us.”

Secretary Chisholm nodded slightly. He had not been as stridently against action as Alexander had been, but as usual, tended to agree with him. If James could win him over, he would have a better chance of convincing the rest of EXCOM to back him. That said, even if he did not, he could still ask for Senate deliberation without EXCOM approval. EXCOM was his idea and served an advisory role only. Furthermore, he was authorized by the Constitution to deploy forces unilaterally for up to 180 days without Congressional approval.

“You do have a point, James. We could use this to leverage international opinion against the belligerent nations while currying favor with the rest of the world community. A limited deployment would cement our message while minimizing potential casualties.”

Sterling breathed a sigh of relief. Chisholm had shifted and it looked like the rest of the room would follow suit. He gave his older brother a slight shrug. He didn’t hold his difference of opinion against him. That Alexander was unafraid to disagree with him was not a problem; it was one of the reasons James valued him so much as an advisor; he was smart an never hesitant to voice his opinion and show James the flaws in his plans. This time, however, the younger brother triumphed.

“I will submit a request to the Senate for immediate deliberation on a declaration of war. We should be able to expect a vote in the Assembly tomorrow. Admiral Benton, I want you and your staff to brief me on the forces needed and the plan. I understand you are working off Warplan Crimson. Show me what you have by tonight. Secretary Chisholm, get me a list of all expats currently in Spodystan or any of the belligerent nations, I want to get them out as soon as possible. Mansur, I want to see a draft of my official statement to the press in two hours. Director Greenvarr, full dossiers and workups on the nations, everything we have on file. Everyone else, stay near your phones, my staff will contact you if you are needed. Dismissed.”

[Alexiandra]

Replaced with next post.

[Saint Achille]

James Marten Sterling-President, Allied States of Saint Achille
The Chambers-Assembly Hall
Mercuto-Allied States of Saint Achille

President Sterling stood at the podium and looked out on the faces of the members of the Senate and Assembly. He found the face of Senator Miles Kenswick and gave him an appreciative nod. Kenswick had drafted the official language of the resolution calling for a declaration of war.

The Senate had met through the night, staying long after most of the Assembly and their staffs had left. Sterling had not heard what they debated while behind their thick wooden doors; nobody ever heard or was allowed to hear what or how the Senate deliberated, including the President of the Allied States. Kenswick had personally delivered the resolution to Sterling that morning, along with a statement detailing the views of the Senate on the matter.

Sterling looked down at the scattered notecards on the podium and then up again. He eschewed the teleprompter and rarely had anything more concrete than a few index cards outlining what he wanted to talk about. The President preferred to speak off the cuff; he thought he came across as more human and personable. He was a formidable speaker and his performance during the debates was a major reason that a relatively unknown and junior member of the Assembly won the presidency in such a decisive fashion. The notecards were to make sure that he did not forget any of his major speaking points, an occasional habit that infuriated Mansur Bakr, his Press Secretary.

“As you by now know, in a few short minutes, the Assembly will undertake a roll call vote. This vote will be one of the most significant and important votes taken in living memory. The results of this vote will help our nation find its path. We are at a crossroads, Saint Achille, there are two roads that lie before us. The first is the road of a peace; it is well paved and maintained, and the travelers upon it are cheery. The second is that of war; it is overgrown and tangled, and the trees upon it block out the sun. Yet it is this first road that will ultimately lead to ruin. If we choose peace now, we choose pain later. If we choose peace now, we choose to approve of those nations who believe in that primitive doctrine that might makes right. If we choose peace now, we choose to signal the world that non-violence may be met with violence. If we choose peace now, we choose to support the strongarm and extortionist tactics of nations that look only to war and senseless bloodshed as means of discourse. If we choose peace now, we ensure war later.”

Sterling paused here, allowing his words to slowly settle in the room, sinking under their own weight and gravitas. As he turned his head, his eyes met with every member of the Assembly.

“But that is not the road that we must choose. Instead, seek the rougher of the two, for this is the path that leads to virtue. It is in your hands to reject the base principles of oppressive regimes across the world. With a bold voice, we may say, “No longer shall size or strength prevail over virtue or righteousness.” It is your duty, not only to your nation but to our future generations that we stand now united against tyranny. It is not lightly that I call upon you to make this decision. I know full well the cost and the pain that war brings with it. That we should be the ones who make this decision while it is our youth who must carry the fight is a tragedy. It is with a heavy heart that I urge you to support full military intervention now. The road on which we embark will not be easy, nor will it be comfortable. We will face loss; we will face suffering. But if our cause is noble, and our fury is pure, than we have nothing to fear. We must face this new threat together, with ranks closed. The test will not be easy, but with your help, and God’s, we shall prevail.”

Sterling looked again across the hall before nodding and taking a step back. He turned crisply and walked across the floor of the chamber through the door and into the hallway. Bakr was the first at his side as he exited, handing him a bottle of water and taking the notecards from him.

“Good job, James. You have done all that you can. We commandeered an office for you to watch the vote from.”

A silly tradition, James thought to himself. The President was allowed to address the Assembly immediately before a vote, but was not permitted in the Chamber during the voting. He could, however, watch the proceedings on the closed circuit television cameras in the Chamber, or on any one of the channels that his speech and the vote was being broadcast on across the nation.

“Get me Admiral Benton. I want a full report on the progress of our operation.”


SGT Julian Arko-Squad Leader, 1st Squad, 2nd Platoon, Red Horse Company, Rider Battalion
SAS Prometheus-ARG2-Hyperion
Task Force Adrasteia-Operation Aidos

Sergeant Arko glared disapprovingly at his squad.

“Do you know what happened when I got the word that we were being deployed to Arventia?”

Arventia had been Arko’s second combat deployment, nearly five years ago. It was a short conflict, but bloody. The SAEF had borne the brunt of the fighting, rough urban combat. During the rolling maul of house to house fighting, he had taken a rifle round through the neck, which only added to his salty appearance.

“The moment I got the word, I pulled my dick out of your mother, wiped it off on your sister and grabbed my rifle. Then I began doing mag changes. If you are not doing mag changes every spare goddamn minute you have on this floating den of faggotry then you are wrong.”

Sergeant Arko held a special hatred for ships. He had been aboard the Astyanax during the Belvanian conflict. The Astyanax was carrying expats and refugees away from the fighting when the enemy task group bushwhacked them. It was clearly marked as a refugee ship but they pressed in on it. Arko was one of the few lucky ones. When the order to abandon ship came through, he managed to find a route topside not cut off by the fire raging belowdecks. Now, cooped up inside an identical ship, everywhere he went he could still see charred bodies of women and children and splatters of blood coating the wall. In its final hours, the Astyanax looked like a floating charnel house. Now they were making steam towards another foreign shore. There was sure to be another naval engagement before they could get there. Another hellish eternity spent waiting to see if death would come quickly or slowly in the hold of the assault ship. The Hyperion group was just one of the four ARGs in Task Force Adrasteia, along with three CSGs and four DESRONs. The scuttlebutt was that command had pulled a large portion of the Submarine Screening Force to accompany Adrasteia, named for the daughter of Ares and Aphrodite, the Inescapable, the Goddess of just retribution.

His squad mechanically went through the motions of pulling a magazine from their vests and swapping it with the one in their rifle. It was a tedious task, but keeping the men occupied while at sea was a vital task. At sea, boredom set in quickly. The more bored a Trooper got, the more likely he was to do something stupid. Fights were a daily occurrence; that much testosterone cannot be sealed inside a space that small without fiery results. It was always something stupid that started the scraps. Two Troopers could be talking about comic books and then one would be on top of the other, trying to turn his face into a Picasso painting. Even if it was skull-fuckingly tedious, keeping the squad occupied with any sort of task was better than leaving them to stew during the day.

The Task Force was still far from their station. They had been making good steam towards the distant foreign shore, but the rumor was that they were going to enter a holding pattern soon. They needed to give the rest of the force time to rendezvous before continuing on. It was impressive how much material they had assembled at short notice. Arko reflected on the logistical problems they must have faced in assembling such a large force. There would have to have been cancelled leaves, training exercises cut short, the works. No, he did not envy the task that his superiors had. He was a grunt. His job was to fly around in a Kingfisher and occasionally get out to shoot people, and he was very good at his job.

[Spodystan]

International waters
SNS Warlord


Captain Norse scanned for targets that his Typhoon class submarine could attack, it was a hunch, but Spodystani officals thought that by positioning Nuclear Submarines in Kolinthian waters, and actually sinking military shipping with them, that the Kolinthians would back down and cease hostilities with the P.R.S. Norse's sub was one of two currently en route to Kolintha , the other one being the sturgeon class sub SNS Talon.

"Great, 1 more week on station." Muttered Norse, he wanted to get back home to see his wife and kids.
"Just please let me blow something up." Thought the captain, for he had not seen any Kolinthian military targets. Suddenly he saw something on radar, a ship.
"Well that's defenently something worth checking out." Said the captain.
"General Quarters!General Quarters! All hands man your battle stations!" Blared throughout the Warlord as sailors scrambled to their posts. Norse scanned through the periscope, he couldn't identify the ship. His hands were tied, if he attacked this vessel, he risked killing civilians or neutral entities, but if he held his fire, he risked losing his life. He was stressed, finally he came up with an idea, he turned to his radio operator.
"Ok,radio the Talon an tell them that we have an unknown vessel on a southern course approximately 150 miles east of Virdaz. Tell them we are currently unable to identify the ship, but we have decided to shadow it and attack if it threatens us or the mainland, tell them that we have activated our secure tracking beacon so they can find us, tell them weapons ready."
Norse listened to his radioman as he once again tried to identify the ship.

[Kolintha]

The Empire of Kolintha

Encrypted Communique : The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan and it's leadership

We are honoured by your request to send a diplomat but our current geopolitical situation and the nature of this crisis makes such things somewhat difficult. We will however be providing military aid in the form of arms, training and manpower. I assure you that we will not allow the socialist scum to devour your nation.

On that front, we plan to deploy a division-sized element in Tebekistan to assist in it's defence. The unit in question will be the 1st Airborne, though due to the lack of air superiority over the region, and the Nerotysian naval blockade we are limited in our transport capabilities. If possible, could our forces be given temporary control over a few minor air bases and perhaps civilian air ports? This will speed up the process of moving troops considerably.

A small force of paratroopers (5 companies, plus a few senior officers from their parent unit) should be arriving in your nation within the next hour, near Ragi Army Base. They will be briefed on local terrain to an extent and will be able to make the march there. Our aircraft will continue on to an available landing zone to refuel and will then return home.

I look forward to any response you can give us. May Tebekistan stand tall, no matter how much taller it's foes may be.

Signed by:
~Valhyldra I, Light of the Icefields, Empress of the Empire of Kolintha, High Queen of the 19 Provinces, Sovereign Colonial of Montorra, Princess of Izlaya, Carrier of Starlight, Autocrat of all Kolinthans, Ruler of the Wind, Protector of the State, Daughter of the Revolution, Patron of the Guard Army, Lady of Kuznyr, Holder of the Crown, Supreme Leader of the People, Rightful Mistress of the Land and Guardian of the Northern Wastes.

The Empire of Kolintha

Encrypted Communique : The People's Union of Nerotysia and it's leadership

We are shocked and appalled by your decision to blockade the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, and furthermore, would like to challenge the view you appear to hold that your allies are being 'swallowed up by foreign aggression.'
We have no intent to wage war against the People's Republic of Spodystan or the United Arab Republics of North Africa, but both of these governments have failed to heed warnings by Alexiandran and Kolinthanese officials and as a result, gave up on the possibility of a diplomatic conclusion to this crisis on their own accord.

I myself must point out that the ideology you hold so dear - and in fact the very history of the Nerotysian state - relies on the common man's right to walk out and refuse to follow the orders given to him by authorities. Revolution is the inescapable result of poor governance, and hence the very existance of the Islamic Republic shows that there are severe issues within the UAR that lead to this crisis.

Our two nations share history, and we would like to extend a hand of friendship to you, but your actions, and those of your allies, simply serve to reinforce the political iron curtain that exists between our states. I call on you to cease your blockade of Tebekistan, and do your best to fight against the blatant neocolonialism being practiced by the UAR, as well as the violation of sovereign borders by the PRS.

Signed by:
~Valhyldra I, Light of the Icefields, Empress of the Empire of Kolintha, High Queen of the 19 Provinces, Sovereign Colonial of Montorra, Princess of Izlaya, Carrier of Starlight, Autocrat of all Kolinthans, Ruler of the Wind, Protector of the State, Daughter of the Revolution, Patron of the Guard Army, Lady of Kuznyr, Holder of the Crown, Supreme Leader of the People, Rightful Mistress of the Land and Guardian of the Northern Wastes.

Tebek Coastal Airspace,
The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan,
1:08 PM

The direct orders had come through just as the hazy, yellow coast of Tebekistan emerged before the five transports. The men were to be dropped near Ragi Army Base, and the planes carrying them were to continue eastwards to Gueye airbase where they would land and refuel, ready for the journey home.

It had been a grim 5 hours for the paratroopers in the hot, cramped gut of the lead plane. The drop-bay's lights flickered on and off, and cast sinister shadows which loomed across the low, sloped ceiling. Morale had sunk a little when the air convoy's escorting fighters had to turn back due to fuel concerns, but more importantly, this was to be the first taste of real war for most of the troopers. Even the veterans had yet to fight in a high intensity conflict.
But the fear of death combat was quickly overrun by the fear of death in transit, as the convoy veered north to avoid the Nerotysian armada steaming towards the Tebek coast.

Five minutes later, still very much alive and undetected, they were nearing the target. A thankfully uncultivated field no more than half an hour's march from Ragi Army Base. It was to be a low altitude drop, to minimize the chances of troopers drifting off course, and to scatter radar waves, hopefully lowering the chances of being spotted by Spodystani or North African aircraft.

The plane began to descend. It's great propellers pushed it forward, their roars echoing across the barren countryside. The transport went as low as the pilots dared. From this height, the earth was no longer a slowly moving backdrop, but a kaleidoscope of colour blurring together as the aircraft rushed overhead.
The ramp came down, achingly slowly. The clanking of the mechanism could scarcely be heard over the rapid screaming of the engines, but the vibrations added to the already nervous shakes of the paratroopers, lining up, ready for the fall.

Then they jumped, tumbling through the air for a few feverish seconds before activating their parachutes. The paradoxically reassuring scream of allied aircraft was snatched away by the exaggerated breathing of the wind as they slowed down and waited for the earth to embrace them.

The men landed one by one and stripped off their parachutes with every single bit of skill and speed drilled into them by their instructors. They left them in a neat pile under a lone tree and covered it with dirt and ripped up grass. Within minutes, they were on the march, rifles at the ready.

Gueye Airbase,
The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan,
1:59 PM

"Gods, it's a ghost town down there." the co-pilot muttered, as he searched the airstrip for any sign of occupation beyond the few young lads hailing them from the Control Tower.
"Yeah, the Tebeki's are overstretched. They have barely enough manpower to hold the borders, much less random bases in the middle of no where. That's why Spodystan can get away with the Recon Flights. Hopefully it'll change once we get some Katherine's and Basilisks rolling up in here."
"If we can. One does not simply smuggle large quantities of SAM platforms into a country on the other side of the bloody region."
"Guess you're right."

The duo descended the ladder that had been hurriedly wheeled up to the door and looked around. The base was small by Kolinthanese standards. Two of the (relatively small, compared to the heavier models) transports occupied most of the runway. The others had been forced to make rough landings in the fields outside the base. With the shortage of actual staff, the refueling was going to take the best part of a day - and that was the optimistic estimate.

KIS Svarskof,
Central Ocean,
International Waters,
1:59 PM

The Svarskof was a pearl among the many rocks that floated under the Kolinthanese flag. The newest addition to the Anya-Class of frigates, it had a low RCS hull that made it hard for the enemy to identify, an effective air defense system and could be used for patrol, escort or anti-submarine missions.
It was that last mission that it excelled at, equipped with a cutting edge towed sonar array, more FLIR turrets than one could count and even torpedo countermeasures. The perfect ship to lead the Fast Carrier Taskforce to it's destination.

Up until a few precious minutes ago it had been steaming ahead of the rest of the Taskforce, performing recon duties, testing the waters ahead. Then the news came. Two large subs had been spotted leaving Spodystani submarine pens by the Empire's small but sophisticated satellite network. Their destination was unknown of course, but it had been enough for the HQ to put the fleet on full alert.

Then they saw the radar antenna. A classic modern submariners mistake. On infrared it had shown up as a faint white smudge in the cool water surrounding it, but in the few seconds the ship had to respond, the radar confirmed it. The antenna was searching for targets, and a few meters below the water, the submarine it belonged to lay in wait. The water got in the way, so it was impossible to identify the class - or even whether it was hostile. Though neither of these facts mattered. If the sub was neutral, sinking it could be written off as an accident. Letting it get away was simply out of the question.

There was no time to wait for orders. The Svarskof had been lucky. It's low RCS could have made the enemy captain hesitate - no man wanted to sink a civilian ship. After it surfaced, the sub had no doubt began closing into torpedo range. With a slice of his hand, the captain gave the order to verify the subs position with sonar, and fire the rocket launched torpedoes.

A ping in the water. Silence. Then the two spears of steel plunged into the depths, turning towards their target.

[Spodystan]

The Octagon
Gatorsburg Spodystan

President Mindozer was appaled, he had just been informed that the Submarine SNS Warlord had been hit and sunk by Kolinthian warships. He now stood before the peoples council, preparing his speech to them and the rest of the nation.

"My comrades, a Tragidy occurred today, the SNS Warlord, a Typhoon Sub of the People's Navy, was purposely attacked and sunk by warships of the Empire of Kolintha, I regret to tell you that all hands were lost, the sub was in international waters performing a routine patrol when it was sunk. The Empire of Kolintha has put us at fault in this incident, due to our preventive measures taken against the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, whom Kolintha has pledged support. I am hear to say that the Empress will pay. As of now, the Peoples Republic of Spodystan and the Empire of Kolintha are officially at war, I have already ordered Subs and aircraft to hunt down and destroy any Kolinthian Warships or Military aircraft, I also have issued orders for the Air Force to strike Kolinthain targets in Tebekistan and for ground troops to prepare for a possible invasion of Tebekistan in order to overthrow it's ruthless regime and place Tebekistan back under the control of the U.A.R. I trust that this great nation will prevail, and crush anyone that opposes us!"

The president was sweating, but the roar of the crowd meant that he didn't even notice it, all over the country, people were prepared to fight and if needed, die for the great Peoples Republic.

[North African Empire]

OOC: I am sorry if this post might seem a little short at this time, however I may add a little more to it later.

IC:Eastern Escar once a peaceful place for the citizens that called the area home, however that peacefulness has been destroyed by a single woman named Dayo Gueye, a former career officer in the North African military now turned rogue and on the run from justice. Shortly after the Great Revolution in the United Arab Republics, and the overthrowing of the old government General Gueye escaped with many Loyalist of the old government just over the North African border. Once over the border General Gueye laid, and waited for the perfect time to make a come back on the United Arab Republics now with Escar divided over different forms of government she received her chance, then made her move known to the region of Escar.

President's Office
Presidential Palace of the Republic
Rabat, North African Empire

President Jasra Rashid was never really the type to surrender to her nerves, but now she could not help herself since the formation of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, and the re-emergence of General Gueye to the international community. The revolution has been over for eleven years now in the United Arab Republics, and the former Queen was lost to historical times allowing the new government to expand their control over the nation. She continued to look over the dossiers of the nations supporting the Islamic Republic, and quietly wondered to herself what were these people thinking in their minds. The President finally decided to call a important meeting with her top officials to discuss the crisis in eastern Escar, but not before informing all ambassadors in those countries in which the UAR had diplomatic relations with about her intentions.

The ministers quietly gathered into the conference room around the large table, and waited for the president to arrive before the meeting was officially started about the Tebekistan Crisis, or rather the War in Eastern Escar. President Rashid finally arrived at the meeting with several copies of files under her arms, and begin to pass them out before beginning the meeting with the other ministers in the room. Shortly after handing out of the file copies to her ministers President Rashid quietly turned, and walked towards the front of the room to address the gathered crowd "Ladies and Gentlemen thank you for coming on such short notice for this important meeting, and believe you me you will find this some what disturbing. Meet General Dayo Gueye a former North African military officer, with a big head, and now de-facto leader of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan. She was a high ranking military official within my sister's government, and known to be a little crazy in the head at times of conflict, or internal disputes. The General has until recently been living off the record in hopes of avoiding capture by federal authorities, but rest a sure we will get her in time." All of the gathered ministers was listening to the President with a deep look of concern in their eyes, before Prime Minister Amare Mensah spoke up from the back of the room "Ms. President I highly suggest we send our military into the Islamic Republic to capture General Gueye, before Tebek allies arrive in eastern Escar." Once Prime Minister Mensah finished her suggestion to the other ministers in the room, which in turn were nodding their heads at President Rashid giving her their approval of the idea. The idea however continued to weight heavily on President Rashid, who in turn begin shaking her's "Mrs. Mensah that is a fine suggested course of action, however sending troops across the border will provoke the Islamic Republic's allies in turn as seeing us as a hostile nation. Trust me I want General Gueye's head on a silver plate just as bad as you, but sending our men, and women across the border will get us no where in the long run." Finally after three hours of debating the problem among President Rashid, and the other gathered ministers in the room the meeting was ended.

Supreme Prophet's Office
Palace of the Republic
Ragi, Tebekistan

Supreme Prophet Dayo Gueye was smiling at the chaos she was causing in eastern Escar, and quietly wondered to herself what President Jasra Rashid was doing when she announced her newly proclaimed Islamic Republic to the region. It was not the first time she ever out fooled a national head of state, and she knew it was not going to be her last victim just yet anyway, before turning her head towards the window. Suddenly there came a knock on her office door, which caused the Supreme Prophet to look back, and shake her head before shouting "Come on in." to the person behind it. The knocker was none other then Queen Shadia Rashid herself, and true leader behind the Islamic Republic she quietly came in, then nodded at the Supreme Prophet before sitting down across from her desk. General Gueye quietly turned away from the window, and walked back towards her desk "Your Majesty I was not expecting you for quite some time now, but you are looking good I might add so how can I help you today?". When the general was finished speaking Queen Rashid composed herself quickly, and begin shaking her head "Thank you General Gueye I must I been feeling pretty good for the last few days. I will feel even better once we ousted my sister from power over the United Arab Republics, and hopefully this little stunt will gain us a few new international allies, while we are at it." The general could not help but to feel a little nervous over Queen Rashid's comment, but never the less it was the goal of the Islamic Republic to get her back into power over the UAR. Queen Rashid quickly pick up a piece of paper, and quietly begin writing out an official diplomatic letter to her fellow Escari leaders.

Official flag of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

To: The Leaders of Escar
Subject: I am still alive.

Greetings! My fellow Escari leaders please allow me to introduce myself to those, who do not know me I am Shadia Rashid former Queen of the United Arab Republics, and true leader behind the rise of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan. Eleven years ago my own sister Jasra Rashid (current leader of the UAR.) staged, and led a coup which overthrew my leadership leading to the formation of the new Socialist government. I harbor no grudges against my sister or her ideas, but there is a time and a place for everything, and then was not the time for Socialism for the United Arab Republics. I am the one who had General Gueye announce the formation of the Islamic Republic to the world to shame my sister's regime in the UAR, but it seems to only provoked my sister into sending North African troops towards the border area between the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, and the United Arab Republics. My sister has no sense of loyality, or even respect towards the former upper leadership of the UAR, which is clearly is her reason behind staging the coup against me all those years ago. Now I even hear rumors that the People's Republic of Spodystan, and the People's Union of Nerotysia has joined in as allies of the new Socialist government. To my allies I invite your respected diplomats to meet with me at a serect base, within the United Arab Republics if you can make it yourself I would be deeply honored to meet you in person. Please do not worry about their safety during their stay in the UAR, because I have my own militia set up to protect me, and any allied diplomats that may come to visit me here so please do trust me.

Signed,

Shadia Rashid
Queen
Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Staff Quarters
Al-Sheki Naval Port
Al-Sheki, Tebekistan

The crew and staff of the Al-Sheki Naval Port stared in amazement about what they were hearing on the television, and formation of the newly proclaimed Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, who's territory their base and home now sat in. Guards at the gate watched in horror as a large crowd assembled just outside the gate, before shaking their heads at a crisis, which has become way out of hand. Admiral Abdullah Hawas stood quietly looking out of his window for a long moment, before turning to walk back towards his desk to write a letter back to his homeland about the problem. A order by the base's vice commander placed all staff, and crew stationed on the base at full alert as the people continued to gather outside the main gate. The guards were quickly armed with assault rifles to protect the main gate, and was told to shoot anyone who came close to it, or it's defenders. Many of them had problems about shooting unarmed civilians, because it was just not the style of the North African military, or it's officers and soldiers. A tall man in his mid 30s step out the crowd with a smile on his face, and asked to meet with the commander about the base's surrender to the Islamic Republic. The guards turned and looked at one another for a moment, before nodding their heads as one walked over, and pick up a radio requesting permission to send the man inside to meet Admiral Hawas. The man walked beside the soldier as they entered the bases, but suddenly a strange feeling came over him about the whole idea of talking to the admiral about the base. Suddenly the soldier stopped at a door, and turned back to look at the man with a concern look in his eyes "You will find Admiral Hawas's office just down the hall, and to the left sir." with that the soldier walked back towards the gate.

The base was a modern marvel of construction no wonder the central government in Ragi wanted this base under Tebek control, but hopefully I can get Admiral Hawas to surrender the base without any blood sled on either side. Admiral Hawas stood quietly behind his desk staring out the window at the gathering crowd of people for a moment, before turning to sit back in his chair when a knock sounded on the door. A strange man with a concerned look on his face walked in from the hallway, before closing the door behind him shaking his head "Admiral Hawas it is an honor to meet you." the man's simple tone caused the admiral to grow a little more nervous, but never the less he answered him "Yes that is me, and what can I do for you my good man?" The man took off his coat before sitting in a chair in front of the admiral's desk "I am Foreign Minister Aakif Halabi of the Islamic Republic, and I believe I can help you out of this problem my friend. You see my country is interested in taking ownership of this naval port, but however your forces currently occupy it which is a problem for my government. We will let you, and your forces leave peacefully if you surrender this base along with the UNS Liberation." Admiral Hawas was stunned about what the man was asking of him, and his forces not to mention leaving the Liberation behind for the Tebeks to use against the United Arab Republics "You drive a hard bargin Mr. Halabi, however my orders are to hold this base. I can not just surrender both the base, and the UNS Liberation to you both are the property of the United Arab Republics(UAR) now please leave, before I order my guards to throw you into jail."

President's Office
President Palace of the Republic
Rabat, North African Empire

President Jasra Rashid read the diplomatic letter over and over for more, then two hours before throwing it into the center of the room wondering how her sister was still alive after all this time. It has been eleven years since the revolution that overthrew her, and the corrupted government most of the top officials in on the coup a sure her, that she was taken care of in the long run before she formed the new government. Suddenly there came a light knock on the office door, which caused the president to jump a little after all she was not expecting anyone right at this moment "Who is it?". Prime Minister Amare Mensah's voice sounded from the otherside "Ms. President I have something I think you should see it is concerning Al-Sheki Naval Port in Tebekistan." upon hearing the naval port's name the president rushed to the door, and took the letter from the prime minister to read it. The president feel the color drain from her cheeks as she read the letter from Admiral Hawas, before turning to look back at Prime Minister Mensah "It seems that the Tebeks want control of Al-Sheki Naval Port, but that is not the worse of it they want us to leave the UNS Liberation behind for their use. I will not sit around, and allow the Tebeks to continue taking our military bases in the Islamic Republic ordered a squadron of bombers to Garza Air Base, then put in for some reinforcements to be send to the naval port in Al-Sheki." The prime minister nodded then turned and rushed back out the door to send President Rashid's requests, but she could not shake the feeling that the president had some terrible in mind for the rebellion. Shortly after the prime minister's departure from her office Jasra, decided to write a letter to her sister expressing her suprize that she was still alive, and active in international politics.

Flag of the United Arab Republics

To: Shadia Rashid
Subject: You are alive?

Greetings sister! I must admit that when I first read you message to the world I was shocked, but even now I wonder what has kept you from calling, and checking on your family our mother has been worried sick as of late about you. I may be the younger sister here but at least I have the nerve to stay, with our family in the United Arab Republics not go off, and found another country just in turn to start a rebellion against your own. Haven forbid when our mother finds out that you are still alive, and active within international politics Shadia it has been hard keeping this from her. Never the less I am glad to hear that you are still alive, and kicking sister welcome back to the world of politics.

Signed,

Jasra Rashid
President
The United Arab Republics of North African Empire

The more time Jasra spend writing the letter to her sister she begin to grow more, and more angry at her top advisers for not finishing the job they were hired to do at the start of the revolution. Now with foreign aggression beginning to mount in the Islamic Republic it was now time for action, and with a concerned feeling she begin typing a message to the leader of the People's Republic of Spodystan.

Flag of the United Arab Republics

To: President Mindozer of Spodystan
Subject: Military alliance

Greetings President Mindozer! Please allow me to introduce myself I am Jasra Rashid, and I happen to be the President of the United Arab Republics recently we received news that the Imperial Union of Alexiandra has declared war on your nation. We are aware of your recon flights over the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, which violates our airspace however we are willing to overlook this matter in these troubling times. I would like to take this time and purpose to you a military alliance between the United Arab Republics, and the People's Republic of Spodystan this agreement will entitled the People's Republic to call upon the aid of the United Arab Armed Forces(UAAF) in times of war, or internal conflict. We also welcome Spodystani troops to come, and join the United Arab Army on military drills near the UAR-Tebekistan border not to mention allowing them to deploy to UAR bases in the Islamic Republic. If you have any questions, or concerns about this purposed alliance please feel free to contact our Department of Foreign Affairs.

Signed,

Jasra Rashid
President
The United Arab Republics of North African Empire

Conference Room
Cairo Air Force Base
Cairo, North African Empire

Colonel Aisha Essa was in a conference with a few of her top officers, when her adviser walked in holding a message from command back in Rabat possibly about the crisis in Tebekistan. She stood up quietly so she would not disturb the other officers, and walked out the room for a moment before taking the message from her adviser to read it. Shortly after she finished reading it the colonel shook her head "I can not believe it my friend it seems, that President Rashid has requested us to send bombers to Garza Air Base in the Islamic Republic. It seems that our beloved country is marching towards war with the Islamic Republic, and it's allies but never the less a order is a order so see to it. The colonel finished given her request, and turned to walk back into the room to update the other senior officers about the crisis in Tebekistan "Ladies and Gentlemen I have just received news from President Rashid, and the top command in Rabat it seems that they have ordered a squadron of bombers to be send to Garza Air Base in Tebekistan. It seems that our beloved country is on the verge of war with the Islamic Republic, and their allies which could bring destruction to the region of Escar. I already granted the President's request for the bombers, and they will be send to the Islamic Republic as ordered this may be the begin of the end for our rule in Tebekistan." The officers in the room turned to look at one another for a long moment, before shaking their heads at the announcement but what could they do in this time of conflict.

Meanwhile around the base pilots and crews rushed around preparing their bombers for deployment to the Islamic Republic, with many of them hoping that they would not have to fly them in a time of war. The first of the squadron of bombers was ready for their trip to Garza Air Base in the Islamic Republic, however most of the pilots were not looking for deployment far from their homes, and families. Major Abd-al-Jabbar Baz was talking with his wife, and child when the order came over the base's sound system for his squadron's deployment to Tebekistan, which made the major nervous as he said good bye to his wife to turn and walked back out towards the runaway.

Commander's Office
Garza Air Base
Garza, Tebekistan

The mood at Garza Air Base was some what concerned about the crisis, however Colonel Abba Hadad continued to be over confident about his base's readiness to take the battle to the rebels on the fields of the so called Islamic Republic. His second in command Lt. Colonel Samir Kohar was concerned, and worried that he would not see his family back in the United Arab Republics again. The order was given to the soldiers, and crew of Garza Air Base to prepare the two runaways for the incoming bombers from the homeland. According to his informants in Garza the Tebek Army pulled itself just outside the city, which opened a chance for the UAR to reclaim the city from the Islamic Republic. Luckily for him the UAR Central Command in Rabat managed to give him command of the remains of the 5th Infantry, and the entire 60th Armored Divisions of the United Arab Army's Tebekistan Command so the green light was given for the occupation of Garza by the United Arab Republics. Several of the bases AA guns journey with the deploying forces to Garza in order to give the city anti-aircraft protection until more arrived from the homeland to support future operations in the Islamic Republic. The citizens living in Garza was shock to see North African troops, and equipment rolling down their streets for the first time since the Tebek Declaration of Independence.

[Alexiandra]

Command and Control Centre A
Rose Mountain
Alexiandra
Southwest Escar

The room was gloomy as Jason approached, lit only by a pair of dim lamps built into the rear wall. As he crossed the threshold, however, a network of movement sensors triggered the activation of a more adequate lighting system. Immediately, the cavernous space before him was illuminated - a vast construct of rock and steel, its various command stations meticulously organised into rows. Banks of screens stood, inactive, as he strode purposefully towards the central planning table; it took him almost a minute, walking at full speed, to cross such a vast distance.

Jason was alone. He had issued orders to that effect, instructing his advisors to hang back for the first five minutes of the visit. Long years of legal and political experience had taught him the disastrous consequences distractions could have. Arranged upon the table were several items - a large tablet computer, displaying a map of Escar, was the most prominent. Icons blinked back at him from the screen, denoting the positions of Imperial units across the region. They were almost all concentrated in the southwest, around the naval bastion of Deltos. Having gained the requisite information, he set aside the computer, reaching instead for a sheet of neatly-printed spreadsheets and diagrams. It was a deployment timetable, and, by the looks of it, his commanders thought they could overrun Spodystan within jut a few weeks. Jason was no military expert, but this seemed optimistic; a modern Escari Great Power, conquered within just a few hundred hours? Jason wanted an explanation. He pressed a button immediately to his left, summoning his favourite soldier - Field Marshal Benjamin Dharma, veteran, war hero, family man. He was on time, as always; after just a few seconds, the air on the opposite side of the room was disturbed by the clipped cadences of military discipline.

"Prime Minister," the Field Marshal said. "An honour, as always." Jason smiled as the short but commanding man marched towards him.
"Likewise, Ben," he replied. The two men laughed after a short pause and clasped hands. "Time to win another war, my friend." Jason said.
Instead of speaking, Benjamin simply turned to the command table, withdrawing something from the pocket of his battle jacket. As Jason struggled to peer over his shoulder, the Field Marshal dropped the document - for a document it was, Jason could see that now - onto the glowing white surface. Stepping back, he gestured to Jason. "Take a look." On the table lay a single sheet of crisp, plain paper. It bore the Ministry of Defence approval stamp, along with a stamp from each of the three core military branches. Bold black letters at the top of the document announced its name: OPERATION BLOWBACK. Jason took it into his hands. It was, he ascertained after a few moments, a plan for the defeat of Spodystan.

The operation would begin with a series of decisive strikes against the Spodystanian fleet. Three carrier taskforces, operating out of the South Sea Islands, would steam south to pin down the greater part of the enemy's navy - once it was encircled, long-range air forces from the mainland would deliver the coup de grace. With its northern shores defenceless, Spodystan would be open to an amphibious invasion; the vast majority of the Imperial Marine Corps, plus several regular Army regiments, would storm ashore and establish beachheads. Carrier-based aircraft would fight for superiority in the skies, delaying the Spodystanian counterattack until Special Warfare Commandos and UCB operators could seize the nation's airfields. All the while, transport aircraft would be flying in supplies to engineers attempting to construct artificial harbours on the northern coastline. Once this was done, the Alexiandran conquest would be all but certain; Spodystan could not hope to repel an Alexiandran invasion supplied via sea. Armoured units would roll south at break-neck speed, supported by the Artillery Corps. Special Warfare Commandos would penetrate enemy lines to call in airstrikes against Spodystanian air assets - within a month, Benjamin seemed to estimate, all aerial opposition would vanish, and victory would be assured.

"This is one hell of a heavy operation," Jason said at last. "Who's going to defend us if Nerotysia decides to intervene? If Khornera tries to take advantage?" Benjamin nodded.
"Those are good questions. Firstly, our intel is pretty clear that Nerotysia won't intervene unless their blockading forces are attacked. The last thing those commies want is a naval showdown with the largest economic force in Escar. Secondly, any Khorneran buildup would be spotted by satellites and observers in no man's land long before any assault could take place. We'd be able to withdraw troops from Spodystan in time to face an offensive, if we needed them at all. In any case, our reserves should be more than sufficient to repel an invasion from the east."
Jason was hesitant. "This is one helluva risk, Ben. Parliament won't be happy."
"That's why it's a good job that we don't need to go through Parliament. They're a bunch of inept fat-cats anyway."
It seemed too easy - victory, handed to him on a platter. Still, Jason could not fault any of the Field Marshal's logic. He sighed.

"Where do I sign?"

Operation Blowback began moments later.

Encrypted Alexiandran Communiqué

---

From the hand of His Majesty, King Teutonis II of the Escari Imperial Union,

To Valhyldra I, Light of the Icefields, Empress of the Empire of Kolintha, High Queen of the 19 Provinces, Sovereign Colonial of Montorra, Princess of Izlaya, Carrier of Starlight, Autocrat of all Kolinthans, Ruler of the Wind, Protector of the State, Daughter of the Revolution, Patron of the Guard Army, Lady of Kuznyr, Holder of the Crown, Supreme Leader of the People, Rightful Mistress of the Land and Guardian of the Northern Wastes,

With warmest regards.

---

Your Majesty,

I apologise for the tardiness of my reply. As a fellow head of state, I am sure you can appreciate the stresses and strains of war. In reply to your previous communication, I say this: Alexiandra, and her people, are with you - only through cooperation can we achieve our aims. I believe synergy between our militaries to be not only desirable, but necessary. In accordance with this policy of amity, the Alexiandran General Staff will - by my orders - share with Kolintha its plan for the demolition of the threat posed by Spodystan. I hope that this cooperation signals the beginning of a new chapter in Alexo-Kolinthanese relations, and pray for your swift response.

Signed, King Teutonis II of Alexiandra, Marshal of the Bittermark and Emperor of the Escari Imperial Union.

[Nerotysia]

NPS Linsk
Off the Coast of Tebekistan
The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Abram Yeromin was a limp sack of potatoes on his bed. His mind was abstract, away from his body, as he stared at the metal undersides of the bunk above his.

He was aboard the NPS Linsk, one of the eighteen supercarriers that Nerotysia possessed, and he was desperately hoping that the men of the carrier would not be called into action any time soon. His pupils traced lines on the metal bed-struts, and for hours he just lay there, feeling the foreboding cloud of impending battle hang over him like the grim reaper.

His luck did not hold. At some point a voice echoed from his bunkroom's doorway.

"Private Yeromin! We leave in thrity minutes, we are to escort a bomber force. I expect you ready." The voice was as steely as the woman herself - she was known as the 'Iron Lady' of the Linsk and she fostered no sympathy for scared greenhorn airmen.

"Alright," He said, slowly pulling himself from the mattress. She stood tapping her feet.

"Better move faster than that," she said, before walking off. He looked at his doorway despondently.

Time to taste hell, he thought to himself. Just like he'd been trained to do.

---

Inside the Cockpit of Badger-Five
The Skies Above Tebekistan
The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Abram jumped inside his cockpit at the squealing of his radio. Breathing rapidly he sternly told himself to calm. It didn't work.

It was his squadron leader, the Iron Lady. Oddly enough Abram had forgotten her actual name. Nerves could be quite powerful.

"Badger-Five, get your nose up. You're too far below us."

"Yessir," he said automatically, pulling his jet's joystick back ever so slightly. With a muted whine his aircraft climbed, and taking a look around his cockpit he caught a glimpse of what he was escorting.

An enormous demon of the sky - painted the darkest black and larger than anything else in Nerotysia's air arsenal. Ordinance hung from its wings like they were agents of the devil clinging to his cloak, and inside its belly was another cadre of powerful destructive devices. There was good reason for this design to have been nicknamed the "Black Vulture."

"All Badger callsigns, this is Badger-One. We are approaching the Tebek coast - prepare for hostiles." Abram's stomach flew into somersaults. He watched as the black shapes of the Y15 strategic bombers lifted themselves higher into the clouds, higher than most aircraft could reach. They would need to drop back down to use their bombs, and that's when the real challenge for the fighters would begin.

Unless Tebekistan was currently unable to resist air attacks. Abram clung fiercely to that possibility.

After a few moments his engines roared as he increased his speed, following his fellow birds on a straight-shot course to Gueye Airbase.

---

NPS Linsk
Off the Coast of Tebekistan
The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Meanwhile Nerotysia's beasts of the sea were groaning into action.

Far more from just a blockade force, the high command intended for the ships to play an integral role in the reconquest of Tebekistan. Nerotysian bombardment would be so devastating that boots on the ground would never even be required - the UAR could sweep into Tebekistan alone with ease.

Captain Vakhrov gaze proudly from a balcony circling the Linsk as his destroyers ground into action. He watched as the inconspicuous hatches on each ship opened like the scales of a dragon, and he quickly clasped hands to his ears as a plethora of red-and-orange smoke and fire erupted from each hatch, sending tiny black specks curving into the air. The high command had selected their target only a few hours ago, and with any luck the Tebekistanis would have no idea what hit them.

The naval port in Tebek City was in for some hellfire.

---

The People's Union of Nerotysia
Official Communique
Private Message to the Empire of Kolintha

The People's Union of Nerotysia hopes that the rulers of Kolintha know that their shock and outrage holds little real value within the People's Union or its leadership.

Tebekistan is not a revolutionary new state founded upon the wishes of the People. It is an illegitimate dictatorship established by a forgotten relic of the past and her villainous lapdogs. The United Arab Republic is perfectly within its rights to reclaim lost territory and liberate its people from the clutches of a military strongman.

The Tebek revolution is not held aloft by the People, rather it crushes the People by its very injustice and illegitimacy.

Furthermore the nature of an 'Islamic Republic' is inherently illegitimate, for it hoists one set of philosophical beliefs ahead of all others, and that is unnaceptable. The People's Union would hope that Kolintha would understand the evils of state-endorsed religion given its history of subjugation by an imperialist theocracy, a history which Nerotysia itself shares.

The People's Union also hopes for peace and cooperation in Escar, however the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan cannot stand.

That is all.

Signed,

Dmitri Laskoy
General Secretary
The Nerotysian Peninsular Communist Party

Attacking Gueye AB:
5x Ts-12 mutlirole fighters (fifth-generation)
1x Y-16 strategic bombers

Attacking Kuwait AB:
5x Ts-12 multirole fighters (fifth-generation)
1x Y-16 strategic bombers

[Spodystan]

Village of gozeikes
Spodystan

15 year old Katelyn was dumbfounded, she stared outside her JROTC class at the column of T80 tanks rolling down the main road through the village, even though the war had started long ago, this was the first time military units had been in the village save for the occasional truck or humvee passing through. ZSU-23-4's positioned in the courtyard, while BMP's rolled over to the train station, troops of the Sidewinder division had taken up positions along the coast in response to the threat of invasion from Alexandra. An M13 Phalanx stopped at the schools front entrance and a General jumped off and walked in.

30 minutes later
Main hall of school

The village had gathered to hear the speech that General Zodiac was about to give, he studied his notes, then walked over to the stage And began to speak.

"Greetings, I am General Hans Zodiac of the Sidewinder division, the elite of the Presidential guard, as you are aware, Alexandra is prepared to launch a massive invasion of Spodystan. Already our intel has noticed a buildup of Alexandrian forces in their ports. As a defensive measure, the president has deployed troops along the north coast to repeal any attempted landing. Now we will try our very best to stay out of the way and allow you to carry on with your daily lives, but I do have some rules for everyone's safety.
Rule 1-a curfew from 10pm to 6am will enter into effect tonight, violators can and will be arrested, if for some reason you need to leave your house during that time, contact the HQ and a soldier will be sent to escort you.
Rule2-do not interfere with troop movements.
Rule3-no shooting of guns, this includes any paintball or airsoft weapons.

Please talk to any of our public support officers if you have any questions or comments. Thank you, and god bless."
The crowd applauded as the General walked out to a waiting humvee that would take him to the HQ in the neighboring village of Zexska 3 miles north.

[Glovania]

---

Official Communique from the Free Republic of Glovania

---

By order of Chancellor Aleca Tulisoronen

---

ADDRESSED TO: All nations of Escar
ENCRYPTION: None

---

It is with regret that I must see other, proud nations commit to war in a way such as this. However, due to the nature and cause of this conflict, I must engage my own nation in it too. The Glovanian Congress has voted in favour of entering this conflict, and to ally ourselves - in goals, if not in writing - to the The Imperial Union of Alexiandra in their conflict against the Armed Republic of Spodystan. It has now come to be that Glovania is officially at war with Spodystan. While the GMC has yet to determine exactly what forces will be committed to this conflict, all participants in this war can expect at least two Field Armies to enter the war - at least.

Both Spodystan, the People's Union of Nerotysia and the United Arab Republic have acted in an aggressive manner, and our nation fully endorses the actions of Alexaiandra and the Empire of Kolintha in their conflict with the above nations.

Signed,
Chancellor Aleca Tulisoronen

---

[Spodystan]

The Octagon

The command center was buzzing with activity as the president walked in, President Mindozer was to meet with General Grainger in the situation center. He entered the center, massive complex built into the rock under the Octagon, it's large digital table projected a map of Escar with all known military units, be it friendly,enemy or neutral, while it's wall mounted monitors flashed up news stories of the war. General Grainger saluted the President as he sat down.

"Alright, give me a SITREP." Said Mindozer

"Well the buildup of Alexandrian troops has got everyone on edge, we are currently at DEFCON DELTA and have 6 divisions positioned along the North coast, ready to thwart any invasion. In addition to that, the U.A.R has informed us that they are prepared to send a few divisions to Spodystan to help defend us from invasion, but the bad news is that another nation has allied with Alexandra and declared war on us, the Free Republic of Glovania, we have pulled most of our forces back to the homeland save for 2 infantry divisions and a M.E.U that should arrive in the U.A.R at any time now."

"Excellent, notify the U.A.R that permission is granted to deploy troops to Spodystan, as for this new enemy. Prepare to blast any of their military units."
The president replied.

"Now what are our options for Alex?"

"They're rather limited sir, all we can do is stall the beast from unlocking it's cage, or we can swat they beast and make it crouch in the corner." Said Grainger.

"Go on." Said the president.

"We can launch an EMP strike on the Alexandrian fleet, perhaps crippling them long enough for our forces to deal a decisive blow. Then those cowardly Monarchs will plead for peace."

"I like it, prepare Operation Orca." Said the President

"Yessir!" Screamed the general.

[Glovania]

Fort Svalbard, Western Glovania
5th Star General Benjamin Erikssen

The General stood and watched all the activity on the tarmac in front of him, as soldiers and other military personnel were rushing around, to and from warehouses, loading up the two huge planes sticking their noses out of the massive hangars they were kept in. Off to the left were these monsters of the air, and the hangars that contained them. There were Humvees, APCs, IFVs and even some tanks all organised in this base. From here they would load onto their assigned ships, and off the Escar they would go. However - where in Escar they would go was yet to be determined - but determined it would be in the next few minutes. The General turned around, and faced the long table around which all of the highest ranking officials of the Glovanian Military Command were seated - both civilian and military personnel were present today. today was a big day. It was the first time in the history of Glovania that the country was going to war outside of its own borders. The last war that the Republic had fought was the Glovanian Civil War - ending with the founding of the Free Republic. Here today the members of the GMC would decide how many Field Armies would be deployed to Escar, along with the numbers of warships and Air Force assets that would be committed to the fight. The GMC had identified the two most powerful enemies in Escar: Spodystan and Nerotysia, the only question was who was the biggest threat to the security of Glovania and it's allies. The GMC had already ruled out the possibility of an enemy invasion of Glovania - a reassuring fact. Therefore, the next obvious question was where the GMC would send its forces.

General Erikssen had a plan. He cleared his throat and stepped up to the end of the long table, picking a folder up from where it lay. On the front were the words 'OPERATION VALKYRIE'. The General opened the folder, then looked up at the men seated down the length of the long room. "Gentlemen, I have here the plans for Operation VALKYRIE. Since it is the first ever military operation performed by the Free Republic, we need to make it big - and big it shall be. My plan involves both the First and the Second Field Armies, and both the 1st and 2nd Fleets." He heard a civilian official scoff somewhere along the table, but he did not care - he was expecting that kind of reaction. He continued on nonetheless. "The 1st Fleet will be outfitted with all 42 of our Light Carriers, to transport the 1st Field Army to Nerotysia. Upon completing that task, they will return to Glovania and transport the 2nd Field Army to the port secured by the 1st." He knew the word 'war' would make some people in the room wince - especially the civilian officials present. They did not want to call it a war, as to maintain the illusion that the all sons and daughters of families across the nation would return home safe. This was not the case - they were going to take casualties, and the public would have to face that fact either now, or when the body bags start coming home. He also realised that this attitude was not going to win any hearts and minds, but it was the attitude a General needed to adopt, lest he lose he professional grip on the situation, and begin giving rash orders. "The 2nd Fleet will establish a naval presence in the sea between Alexiandra and Nerotysia, taking on a naval interdiction role."

"Upon the 1st Fleet arriving in Escar, they will stay for 3 days, to provide initial support to the 1st Army. The exact nature of this support I shall leave in the capable hands of the CO of the 1st Fleet, Admiral Alexsson." He gestured towards the Admiral, who was seated three seats down, on the right side of the table. "Now then, onto the actual operations of the 1st Army once they are deployed. The 1st Army will spread across the western coast from their landing zone on the south-west tip of the nation, and secure the major port nearby. They shall hold their position, defending from the initial enemy counter-attacks until the 2nd Army can arrive. Upon the arrival of the 2nd Army, they shall proceed to move along the southern coast of the nation, with the armour along the coast, then mechanised infantry north of them, and rifle infantry north of them, in the foothills of the mountains. The 2nd Army shall do the same along the north coast, with the formation mirroring that of the south - tanks in the north along the coast, mechanised infantry in the center, and rifle infantry in the south moving though the foothills of the mountains. Are there any questions?" The General said as he took a sip of his glass of water.

After a few moment of silence, the General spoke again. "None? Good. The operation will commence tomorrow, presuming I can get your authorisation, Ms Tulisoronen." He said, sliding the folder down the table. The Chancellor moved the file in front of her, and opened it to the first page, where she would see the place for her to sign. She glanced up at the General, then clicked the pen and set the whole plan in motion. She put the pen down, closing the file, then stood up.
"Well it looks like we are about done here, wouldn't you say General?" She asked him, others rising along the table.
"Yes, yes it does." The General replied, smiling politely at her across the table. The Chancellor and all the other officials filed out, except one, leaving him and the General alone in the room. The man remaining was Air Marshall Edwards, who had just been appointed overall command of the FGAF, as Ben had been appointed overall commander of the FGA. He stepped over to Ben and began to speak.
"Ben, you mentioned the Navy and the Army, but what of my branch? What will the Air Force do in this 'Operation VALKYRIE'?" He said, not wanting his branch to be left out of the invasion.
"Well, as you might expect, until any airfields or other installations are secured, all air support is going to have to be provided by the Navy . But, I'm sure your branch will be critical in keeping the enemy from coming out of the mountains in the middle of Nerotysia to attack our rear. That will be a crucial role - if they can break out, the whole operation will go down the drain. You can read all the details in your copy of the plans. Satisfied?" He said, with the last part in a rather joking manner.
"Well, thank you Ben - we can't let your boys take all the glory, now can we?" The Air Marshall said, smiling himself. "Thanks for clearing that up." He said, walking towards the door. Ben turned around and walked back over to the window, and went back to watching all the hustle in the base.

[North African Empire]

President's Office
Presidential Palace
Rabat, United Arab Republics

President Jasra Rashid and several of her senior military commanders stood quietly in the middle of the room, and closely looked over a map of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan planning their next attack, when a knock sounded on the door. The knock was so silent that most of the people in the room did not even notice it, until Prime Minister Amare Mensah walked into the room with a message in her hand. Shortly after entering the Prime Minister tapped President Rashid on the arm, and handed her the message which she quickly read "Ladies and Gentlemen it seems that President Mindozer of Spodystan, has agreed to my purposal about sending troops to aid them defend against the Alexiandran invasion. Now go and prepare the 33rd Infantry (2,000 troops total), and the 54th Armored Divisions for deployment to the People's Republic." The officers saluted the President and rushed out the room to issue the departing orders, but most of them realized that with this deployment their beloved country, would be fighting on two fronts in the Eastern Escar Conflict. Prime Minister Mensah remained behind in the room, with President Rashid for a moment, before addressing the matter of the other country "Ms. President what about the other country? What is it called oh here it is Glovania, and their declaration of war on Spodystan?" upon hearing the question President Rashid turned, and looked out the window before addressing the Prime Minister "Go and issue a Official Diplomatic Letter to their government, and find out why they are helping the aggressors in this conflict. Once we receive a response from them I want to know about it, then we will decide where to go from there. Oh by the way go, and inform the People's Union of Nerotysia, that we will send a few ships to aid in the blockade of the Islamic Republic."

Flag of the United Arab Republics

To: Chancellor Aleca Tulisoronen of Glovania
Subject:Your intervention in the Eastern Escar Conflict

Greetings Chancellor Tulisoronen! We never formally met but please allow me to introduce myself I am Jasra Rashid, and I happen to be the President of the United Arab Republics, which is one of the countries mentioned in your order. We have no interest in conflict with your nation at this time since we soon to be fighting on two fronts, however it is our nature to wonder why your country is supporting the aggressors? The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan is rightfully our territory, and it shall be returned to the mainland soon. Your intervention into the Alexiandran-Spodystani theater of the war will mean the death of men, and women who has family back home in Glovania. Do you honestly want that for them, and their families to deal with in the long run? Personally I do not want that on my mind, but as of now we have no choice in the matter the Islamic Republic must be retaking. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon Ms. Tulisoronen, and please keep in mind the well being of your forces.

Signed,

Jasra Rashid
President
The United Arab Republic of North African Empire

Amare Mensah
Prime Minister
The United Arab Republic of North African Empire

Flag of the United Arab Republics

To: Anya Rusakova of Nerotysia
Subject:Aid in the blockade of Tebekistan

Greetings Ms. Rusakova! It is great to talk with you once again through a diplomatic message, however this time on the matter of the blockade of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan, which your navy currently has in effect for the area. We would like to send a small destroyer fleet, which consists of the UAN Rashid, UAN Royal, and the UAN Rabat to join your navy in blockading the Tebek coast. More of our ground and naval forces are en route home from our overseas commonwealth, but it is going to take them sometime to re-enter Escar from their deployments. The fledging Tebek Navy has our new state of the art aircraft carrier the UAN Liberation, and it's escort ships blockaded in Al-Sheki Naval Port which is why we are not helping your navy sooner. The UAN Liberation Task Force is currently trying to find a way to past the Tebek blockade, but until they do the three destroyers will aid your forces's efforts. I am sorry that I did not contact you soon rather, then now Ms. Rusakova however I have been under a lot of stress as of late. If you have any questions please feel free to contact our Department of Foreign Affairs at anytime day, or night and staff member will address them.

Signed,

Jasra Rashid
President
The United Arab Republics of North African Empire

Amare Mensah
Prime Minister
The United Arab Republics of North African Empire

Once the diplomatic letters were finished, and revised by President Rashid for her approval for their shipment Prime Minister Mensah rushed down the hallway to the telegram room to send off the letters to their respect locations. The President sat alone for a moment staring at a picture on her desk, before wondering what her sister was currently doing in her new nation, but she decided to let it drop from her mind.

Commander's Tenet
Garza Tebek Camp
Garza, Tebekistan

Commander Ali Dahar quietly looked over the city map of Garza, and wondered where the United Arab Army's heavily defended posts were around the city, but the truth was the Tebek Army needed spies in the city to help them out. The first counter attack on Garza was planned to take place at dawn, but without knowing where exactly to hit was the trouble for the small unit of attackers. According to reports from Ragi a another squadron of bombers, was en-route to the Islamic Republic from the United Arab Republics to aid in the campaign. Dahar and his senior officers just knew that the attack on the city had to take place, before those bombers arrive, or it will spell the end for their unit. The Commander decided to sit down, and write a letter to the UAR Commanding Officer in Garza to see if he could work out some sort of easy arrangement with them.

Official flag of the Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

To: The UAR Commanding Officer in Garza
Subject: An arrangement for the return of the city

Please allow me to introduce myself I am Commander Ali Dahar of the 55th Infantry Division of the Tebek Army, and I come before you to form some kind of arrangement for the return of Garza back to Tebek control. I know that we withdrew from the city a few days ago leaving the citizens undefended, but we just did not have the supplies to properly defend the city from future attacks. Now with a fresh shipment from Ragi we are ready to assume the duties of protecting, and defending the citizens of Garza instead of the United Arab Army. You have my promise that if you requlish control of Garza back to Tebek control, that my forces will not attack Garza Air Base in the northern part of the city. This is the best deal I can offer you my friend because of our two nation's relationship, but you have my word as an officer that we will not attack the air base.

Signed,

Ali Dahar
Commander
55th Infantry Division of the Tebek Army
The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Meanwhile in the city of Garza citizens continued to go about their daily lives, but this time with United Arab Army troops and tanks patrolling the streets searching for trouble makers not to mention rebel supporters. Major Bishr Assaf was in a good mood with the ongoing occupation of Garza, and was just recently appointed Mayor of the city by President Jasra Rashid but there was a feeling that the Major just could not shake. Suddenly an young Private appeared at his door with a message in his hand, but he forgot to salute his senior officer "Sir we just received the letter from the Tebek Commander, who's force lay just outside of the city." The news shocked the Major for a moment he was not expecting the Tebek Commander to come to him, but never the less he took the letter, and read it before looking back at the Private "Private I am going to write a response letter to the Tebek Commander, and I want you to personally see to it's arrival in the hands of their senior officer."

Flag of the United Arab Republics

To: Commander Ali Dahar of the Tebek Army's 55th Infantry Division
Subject: The control of Garza

It is an honor to finally meet you Commander Ali Dahar even it is not in person, and please allow me to introduce myself I am Major Bishr Assaf of the United Arab Army's Garza Command, which currently occupies the city of Garza. I am honor that you came to me with this purposal, but I am sorry to announce that I am not allowed to accepted it, but I will pass it on to our top command back in Rabat. I heard of the 55th Infantry Division back in the days, when it was part of the United Arab Army's Tebekistan Command which now has been destroyed by this little rebellion. You see I am not a big fan of rebellions I believe, that our beloved country should remain united in times of crisis, however that seems to be not the case now with your government's ongoing uprising against the United Arab Republics. The government in Rabat will be in touch with you soon about your purposal Commander Dahar, but don't look for an positive answer back from President Rashid, or the rest of her cabinet about the return of Garza.

Signed,

Bishr Assaf
Major
The Garza Command of the United Arab Army
The United Arab Republics of North African Empire

Hanger Area
Rabat Air Force Base
Rabat, United Arab Republics

Staff and troops rushed about getting to their assigned areas preparing the first set of deployments for their trip to the People's Republic of Spodystan, which was currently under threat of an Alexiandran invasion. Some of the base's staff were nervous about the deployments to Spodystan, and the Islamic Republic but order were orders so they continued along with their assignments. Colonel Omar Attia was included among those, who were nervous about their oversea assignments, but what could he do he was the overall commander of the UAR forces deploying to the People's Republic. He quickly walked down the path towards his transport plane, while talking to his wife on the phone, who was worried about her husband's safety he promised her that he would be back home soon. Some of the new recruits walking up the transport plane's ramp never been overseas, before in their lives so this was their first real taste of leaving home. Soon the first three transports were loaded, and heading towards the runaway of the base leaving many of the staff watching from the sidelines. The transports were soon giving the green light to depart from the base, but many in the crew was feeling a sense of unease during their lift off from the runaway.

The plane's engines managed to smooth Colonel Attia's nerves a little bit, but he was still feeling nervous about the whole ongoing crisis, within the region of Escar not to mention anger towards the Islamic Republic for starting the whole mess. The colonel noticed a young private looking at a picture of his girlfriend, and begin shaking his head before talking to him "Private is that your girl?" upon hearing the colonel's question the private looked up from the picture "Yes sir it is we have been together for only three months now, before the crisis in the Islamic Republic begun. I am looking forward to completing our deployment to Spodystan, and get back home to be with her." The trip to Spodystan was long, and rough for Colonel Attia's men but before to long they would soon be back on solid ground, but this time in a foreign country. One of the pilots walked back into passenger area, and inform Colonel Attia that they were so fixing to enter Spodystani airspace, which caused the colonel to nod his head "Excellent go radio the tower personal at the nearest Spodystani Airbase, and inform them that we are incoming with the permission of President Mindozer." The pilot nodded before turning, and walking back towards the front to carry out the colonel's orders "Nearest control tower this is United Arab Army's Flight of Two inbound from Rabat Air Force Base, with a division of re-inforcements for the Spodystani Armed Forces. We have permission from President Mindozer to deploy this division, within the People's Republic to assist with the defense of the country requesting permission to land."

Command Bridge
UNS Liberation
Al-Sheki Naval Port
Al-Sheki, Tebekistan

Admiral Fatima Amin was one of the top most respected officers in the United Arab Navy, and once commanded the proud 33rd Naval Fleet before the rebellion in the Islamic Republic now she was only in command of the UNS Liberation Task Force stationed in Al-Sheki. Since the start of the rebellion her task force has been looking for a way to escape Tebek territorial waters, but not ships of her former command had set up a naval blockade around the port demanding the turnover of the Liberation to the Islamic Republic. The admiral refused to remain as a sitting duck any longer, and ordered the few remaining aircraft on her ship's deck for deployment against the Tebek Fleet, which had them blockaded within the naval port. Some of the admiral's senior officers suggested radioing the Nerotysian Fleet for assitance, but the truth was that their also had their hands full keeping up the pressure on Tebek forces stationed along the Islamic Republic's coast. Admiral Amin turned at her nearest senior officer on the bridge, and ordered them to get Admiral Abdullah Hawas on the line so she could find out what was going on inside the base at this time. A young captain walked up to tap her arm "Admiral we have him on the line now, and it seems that the problem is far worse, then we expected it to be for our country." upon hearing the captain's report Admiral Amin shook her head, before nodding and walking with the captain back to the Communications Room "Admiral Abdullah Hawas it is an honor to see you again sir, but we can catch up later what is the sitution like on land?" Admiral Hawas just stared at her for a moment, before nodding his head "I am afraid it is not looking good for us Admiral Amin, because in addition to the Tebek blockade of the port we have civilians just outside of the base's gate demanding the hand over to the Islamic Republic. I just had a meeting with a man from the Tebek government about the base just three hours ago, but I had to tell him to leave because he wanted us to turn over the base, and the UNS Liberation to Tebek control. I also refuse to give this base up, with out official orders from UAR High Command in Rabat so sit tight we are working on the problem now."

[Alexiandra]

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The Escari Imperial Union

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Alexiandra, having made its hostile intentions towards the abominable miscarriage of international justice known as Spodystan clear, is disgusted to learn of North African collusion with that same entity. People in all four corners of my realm have recoiled from this betrayal, the latest in a series of misjudgements and erroneous decisions by the despotic government of deranged Jasra Rashid. By refusing to grant the wishes of the Tebekistani people, Ms Rashid is setting a dangerous legal precedent - when the governed do not consent to be governed, but are governed nonetheless, suffering and tyranny are free to run rampant. The constituent territories of my realm are unwilling to tolerate this reality; one in which totalitarian superstates disregard the wishes of their inhabitants in pursuit of their own sinister objectives.

As arbiter of the people's will, I must pronounce the people's judgement - a judgement that, today, demands the initiation of open warfare between Alexiandra and the North African Empire.

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Signed by Teutonis II, King of Alexiandra, Marshal of the Bittermark and Emperor of the Escari Imperial Union.

[Nerotysia]

PS Linsk
Off the Coast of Tebekistan
The Islamic Republic of Tebekistan

Captain Vakhrov still had the enraptured eyes of a little girl on Christmas Day when one of his lieutenants tapped him on the shoulder. Reluctantly he pulled his gaze away from the glorious mass of flame and fire that slowly curved towards Tebekistan and saluted the fresh-faced lad.

"Sir! Surveillance reveals friendly warships trapped inside a nearby naval port."

Vakhrov raised an eyebrow. "Trapped by what?"

"Tebek warships, sir. Destroyers and a few submarines."

Vakhrov tilted his head. "Well. I suppose we should do something about that." With that he strode behind the lieutenant into the bowels of the ship. There would be no blockade inside his blockade.

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To: Tebekistan Naval Leadership
From: Captain Boris Vakhrov of the First Rank, Seventeenth Carrier Squadron

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You are to end your blockade and abandon your vessels immediately. If you fail to comply we will destroy you without hesitation. If you commence attacks on any North African assets we will similarly eradicate you.
You have two hours. Do not dissapoint us.

To: Admiral Fatima Amin, 33rd Naval Fleet
From: Captain Boris Vakhrov of the First Rank, Seventeenth Carrier Squadron

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We have issued an ultimatum to the Tebek vessels that have you encircled. Within two hours, they should have abandoned their ships and it will be safe for you to maneuver. If you have extra men, I would encourage you to prepare them to retake the abandoned vessels.

If the Tebek fleet commences an attack, do not falter. We will destroy them.

Hold strong, comrades.

To: The United Arab Republic, c/o President Jasra Rashid
From: Anya Rusakova, Chairperson of the Nerotysian Peninsular Communist Party

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It is lovely to hear of your strength and courage, Ms. Rashid, in the face of such condemnation. Rest assured, the Revolutionary Union stands steadfast behind you in your righteous efforts to destroy an illegitimate enemy. And do not worry about naval deficiencies - the Nerotysian navy has pledged itself to your defense, and even now attacks have been commenced against Tebek military assets.

As for your vessels, I will instruct Admiral Kintsel that friendly reinforcements are incoming. In the future you may simply communicate with either the Admiral or the Captain in charge of our blockade.

Finally, I will contact Admiral Kintsel about the trapped vessels. There will be something we can do. Instruct your encircled commanders to remain steadfast - we will not allow harm to come to them.