Sondria;
Pakanga Ocean;
Telraina;
Itizia, South of Zagaher;
Serenissima Repubblica di Itizia :
Admiral Lincoln Sauvetre found himself pacing up and down the deck of the RNE Maria Supercarrier. The pressure was immense, he was about to lead the first battle of the largest military operation in Esclare's history. Lighting a cigarette for himself, he felt calmer and sat back down at his desk.
The Serene Republic of Itizia was currently in one of the worst conditions it had ever been in. Two decades of corrupt politicians, recession, failed reforms and the recent trade embargoes from the South Telraina Alliance had left the Republic in a worrying state of civil unrest. In light of the deteriorating relationship between Esclare and Itizia, The annexation of the Republic had been a hot topic for debate for the ministers of the Royal Parliament and after months of indecision, his Majesty Franz Thibaud I overruled the Parliament and gave the order to ready the troops.
Now, Lincoln Sauvetre, Admiral of the 3rd Fleet, sat at his desk with Air Commodore of the Royal Air Force of Esclare, Lianna Celeste and Army Brigadier Louis Thorton to discuss any final preparations for the assault.
-" Commodore Celeste, are your squadrons combat ready ?"
Commodore Celeste pulled her chair closer to the table and placed both arms on top of it.
-" All squadrons ready for action sir" she confirmed.
-" The Favon-50 Multi Role Fighter Squadrons, the Zephyr II Bomber Squadrons and the A-10 Support Squadrons aboard the Maria are ready. And the final preparations are being made for the Air Strike Helicopter Squadrons, but the are also ready to go. "
-" Good " said the Admiral as he took another drag of his cigarette, letting out a cloud of smoke above him. He turned to Brigadier Thorton, who was standing by the window overlooking the Favon-50s as they took position for lift off.
-" Brigadier Thorton, I assume your men are fully geared up and ready "
-" They're ready to give the Itizians hell Admiral " he said, still looking out the window.
Sauvetre stood up, turned to the ashtray and extinguished his cigarette.
-" Dismissed, if either one of you feel like giving your men a speech now is the time to do it ".
Brigadier Thorton nodded and walked out without saying a word and Commodore Celeste stood up, saluted the Admiral and followed the Brigadier.
The Admiral pulled out a small picture of his wife and after looking at it affectionately, he looked up at the Eslcarette flag on his wall.
-" For King and country " he muttered to himself, putting the picture of his wife back in his pocket. Pushing down small button on the microphone on the left side of his desk, he pulled himself closer to deliver a final speech before the battle began.
- "This is Admiral Sauvetre speaking to all ships. Never before have so many men and women come together from all quarters of Esclare. But never before have we had the opportunity to show our strength as an army, as a people. The Itizians will show us no mercy. We must give them no respite. Their own government steals from them. We must stand fast and united in the face of the enemy. We will advance until their last city falls, we will not surrender. We will prevail. Each of us will be defined by our actions in the coming battle. Stand strong. Stand together. For King and country. "
He moved to the window where Brigadier Thorton had been standing a few moments ago, and looked out. He could just make out the small Itizian navy in the distance. The Itizians had smaller numbers and outdated technology, the odds were heavily stacked in his favor and despite his nervousness, he found some comfort in knowing this.
The alarms that alerted everyone to battle stations had already started ringing, and as he saw the 1st and 2nd Favon-50 Multi Role Fighter Squadrons take off, he grabbed his intercom and gave his first commands.
-" Submarines EN Eleguera and Ayr advance and open fire ! "
As the torpedoes tore through their first line of defense, the rest of the 3rd fleet held nothing back, decimating the Itizian navy. As they made their way to the coast, the Itizian's had some ground forces waiting for them, but they soon saw themselves overwhelmed and retreated. Once the beach had been secured, the troops that had not landed arrived ashore, and the Air Force was quick to join them. After pitching up tents, the medical officers attended the wounded and mechanics got to repairing damaged air crafts and armored vehicles.
Sauvetre was relieved with the success of the attack. He requested his communicator to ask for a damage report from the rest of the officers.
-" Commodore Celeste, this is the Admiral speaking, damage report "
-" Reporting minimal damage sir, a total of 3 downed aircraft, their air defenses couldn't take it "
-" Excellent work Commodore, make sure to prepare before we continuing inland, the rest of the Air Squadrons should be joining you shortly. Admiral Sauvetre out " he said, satisfied with the Commodore's work.
-" Brigadier Thorton, this is the Admiral speaking, damage report "
-" The Brigadier didn't make it sir " reported a male soldier.
-" Damn it, state your name and rank soldier, I need that damage report !". Sauvetre held the bridge of his nose and frowned, the Brigadier was a good officer.
-" John Riley, Colonel sir. We are currently identifying bodies , casualties are currently estimated around 200 to possibly 300 soldiers. Ground resistance was higher than expected "
-" Stay strong officer, make sure to send the casualties's ID back to Central, Admiral Sauvetre out ". The Admiral stepped outside his office, taking a deep breath of fresh air, he picked up his communicator once more.
-" Air Commodore Celeste, ready your squadrons for bombarding the city of Marostica in 3 hours, we need to weaken their defenses before the arrival of the ground troops. Your main targets are all municipal buildings, especially all police buildings. "
-" Acknowledged, Air Commodore Celeste out "
-" Colonel Riley, this is the Admiral, I need you to lead the Armored Column and the Urban Combat Corps into Marostica as soon as the Commodore has completed her mission, if you encounter resistance from local peace keeping units you are to respond with lethal force, but I want minimal civilian casualties. Am I clear Colonel ? "
-" Understood Admiral, Colonel Riley out "
Sauvetre gazed upon the sinking wreckage that was the Itizian navy and lit himself another cigarette. His superiors calculated that it would take up to 3 weeks for total control of the Republic, but with the Itizian navy gone, and having inflicted heavy casualties upon their ground forces, he was hoping that it would take less than expected.
