A sleek black VIP jet performed a final orbit over the airport as the pilot awaited clearance to land, the local conflict had made it so few aircraft of a ‘civilian’ nature could simply come and go. National or allied military aircraft had first priority and so this particular aircraft had to wait in a parking orbit until a free slot became available. Not the pilot had to wait long, the conflict had also meant that few civilian aircraft would travel to Holy Panooly in the first place and now that the frontline was precariously close to the capital the skies were practically empty of civilian craft. However this particular airplane may have had a civilian registration and formal documentation to allow the occupants therein to travel unhindered through private security, the three VIPs inside were far from civilian. To a keen enthusiast of Stevidian culture, the skull emblazoned letter ‘I’ on the tailfin and a splayed cross by the cockpit betrayed the roles of the occupants. This time however, the powerful religious figures had a less gruesome and vindictive mission compared with their fellow colleagues across the world. Theirs was of critical historical and religious importance.
Once the jet landed safely landed the trio of men were escorted to a private vehicle under armed police guard, the reputation of the Inquisitor and his two Templar guards preceding them despite the fact none of them were actually armed themselves. Upon arrival at a private customs and security gate the Inquisitor, dressed in simple ruby red cardinal robes, handed over the relevant documentation to a rather fearful looking customs official. The knights were armoured in their distinctive black plating and white decorative tunics – the red splayed cross clear to see, and their helms removed for the purposes of verifying their identity. Both were extremely tall, one slightly over two metres and dwarfed the Inquisitor and their police escort, their shaved heads and numerous scars betrayed their militaristic war-torn past; but neither exhibited any sign of aggression or ulterior motives – a stern and uncomfortable gaze was all they showed.
The customs official was distracted by the imposing figures, further more by the gentle rocking and swaying of a clearly frustrated Inquisitor whom looked eager to get on with his job. The official fumbled with documents and passports until he was satisfied, of a sort, with the details of the men.
“The purpose of your visit, Sir?”
“It’s Your Grace, and we’re here on religious and archaeological premise. We’re to be visiting the city’s primary history museum. It is paramount we get there as soon as possible… though at this rate the rebellion will already be there before you admit us into this… country…”
“Ah, I see. Of course – welcome Inquisitor Gnaeus Drusus, to Holy Panooly.”
The trio of men were escorted back to their vehicle for their transit to the museum that would take about an hour and a half, enough time for the men to discuss the wider implications of their visit. The Stevidian Catholic Church had very little presence in Holy Panooly despite the proximity of Adaptus Astrates, since the first civil war the Church had repeatedly tried to branch into the nation but the instability of the country meant that establishing churches was incredibly difficult. Only one church, affiliated with the Stevidian Church’s branch in Adaptus Astrates, was present in Holy Panooly and that was in Volta City and had only remained because the Stevidians had erected it during the first civil war well over a decade ago. However prior even to that civil war, the Holy Empire and Stevid had been very close friends before the region had assembled itself into what would eventually be known as Imperial Armies and then, post-bellum, Greater Dienstad. A long forgotten expedition doomed to failure almost from the start but showing plenty of initial promise, was the reason these men were in Holy Panooly.
“What a cretin. I never remembered them being so fearful.” The tallest Templar said replacing his helmet, his voice changing from distinctly Stevidian to an electronic reverberation. His colleague chuckled but both of them went quiet as the Inquisitor gently raised his hand.
“Templars Jacana and Tiber, still yourselves. This may not be a combat operation and we are under strict orders to not involve the Empire with this on going conflict. The details of the expedition are held within the Panooly Central Museum of Archaeology. It is mission critical that we retrieve these documents and relative details in the name of the Church and Empire. We cannot allow them to be lost or destroyed should the city fall to either rebel or UWO forces – to be honest they should be in our hands and not that of the Holy Panooly government, for they are ignorant and careless. We are the rightful owners for we are faithful and legitimate believers.”
“The expedition was before my time of understanding, your Grace.” Tiber started. “However I’m very intrigued into the validity of the expedition and its findings.”
“Your doubt darkens my heart Tiber!” Drusus snapped. “What did the first disciples Simon and Andrew have to follow Jesus at but just his command? Only their faith. Trust me now Tiber; while I believe whole heartedly that the expedition did fail to uncover the relic, the premise behind the search was warranted and that in searching for it they were led astray by greed and clouded minds. Countless times they misread the archaeological and religious texts, misinterpreted the Torah and the Bible. Ultimately they failed through their lack of faith and resolve.”
“Was not Solomon’s Temple supposed to be the final resting place?” Tiber continued.
“We should not continue with idle speculation about its whereabouts. The truth of the matter is that the Panoolian government at the time gave approval for a search for the Ark and for a Stevidian presence by way of Church officials and historians. They failed, quite miserably in fact. We’re not here to reopen the investigation; we’re here because for the first several months it is believed that they were close to finding the Ark, only to fail. All documentation and findings during the expedition are in that museum and are in great danger of becoming lost and destroyed in this civil war.”
“Agreed.” Jacana said while nodding with approval. “This war is not like the last one. It is being fought by PMCs, foreign nations, rebels and the government. The previous one was a straightforward rebel versus coalition; few cities were directly threatened other than Volta and casualties, for the most part, limited to military persons. This war is much different.”
The vehicle passed through numerous checkpoints throughout the city until it finally stopped outside the Museum of Archaeology. The three men disembarked and walked up the paved stairs to the building entrances flanked by two policemen. The appearance of these robed and sinister looking characters drew a lot of stares from passers by; mothers shielded children and other onlookers deliberately distanced themselves, all the while the trio walk onwards never meeting the gaze of their new admirers. Things didn’t change upon entry into the museum though there were far fewer people inside than out. The Inquisitor strode towards the front desk, put his palms on the desk and towered over a frightened looking receptionist.
“I’m here to see Professor Karl Hoffman of Cultural Artefacts. I’m not expected, but it is imperative that I have an audience at once. Comply or I will find him myself.”
The receptionist nodded silently and meekly as he fumbled with a telephone and began conversing for several minutes before replying to Inquisitor Drusus. “He’s in his office, second floor on the atrium balcony.”
Without a word the trio of men and their police escort made their way to see the Professor. Prof K Hoffman was the museum’s leading man in terms of archaeological study into artefacts of cultural significance, no matter how old. He had not been part of the original Panoolian expedition to locate the Arc of the Covenant but as head of the Cultural Artefacts department of the museum he was in charge of all archived records involving the original expedition. The Prof had spent a great deal of time several years ago pouring over the manuscripts, field documentation and other recovered artefacts from the expedition but had never made any further appeals for government support to mount another expedition. In fact Prof Hoffman was quite content to leave the records where they were, the Arc was destined never to be found again and the costs of mounting were simply too high for very little possibility of reward. He’d read the archived files of the expedition once several years ago and never referred back to them since – they were all but a faded memory, which was why he was surprised to see a Stevidian Inquisitor and two Templars demanding the archives.
“Professor Hoffman, the request is simple enough.” Drusus started. “This museum will hand over to the Catholic Church in Stevid all archived manuscripts, documents, field notes, photographs, material, physical property and recovered relics that are attached to the file detailing the failed expedition to recover the Arc.”
“Not possible… your Grace.” Hoffman said firmly with a tone of resilience that surprised the Inquisitor. “They are the property of this museum. As I understand it, it was our idea to mount the expedition and the government funded it and asked for Stevid’s participation. The archived files have no right to be in Stevid. They are part of our history, a true documentation into the study and search of historically significant religious artefacts that have alluded humanity for millennia.”
“Professor, I should not have to explain myself further. Your once fine nation is on its knees and has been for nearly twenty years – now again, we see yet another civil war and this time there are no coalitions for you, everyone wants a piece of the pie. Your country is a mess and now the barbarians are literally at the gates of the city. I can assure you, no one else here agrees with the validity of your statement more than I. But the search for the Arc was quite significant in Stevid, as was the ultimate failure of the search. It is in the interests of both our countries that the archives of the expedition remain safe from theft or damage.”
“What you’re suggesting is theft!” Hoffman spat.
“I assure you that once your country has stabilised we will return all the original archives to this museum for their internment back into the vaults. For now they will be safer within the sacred vaults of St. Malleus cathedral in Stevid. If you don’t comply we’ll take the archived documents. Your country is in a spate of upheaval and it would not be difficult to insert Templars into the city to take want we want, this would come with damage and casualties. It’s your choice… give us the archived files.”
Hoffman relaxed slightly and sighed. After a few seconds he stood up and walked towards the door. “I suppose you’d better follow me then.”
Once the jet landed safely landed the trio of men were escorted to a private vehicle under armed police guard, the reputation of the Inquisitor and his two Templar guards preceding them despite the fact none of them were actually armed themselves. Upon arrival at a private customs and security gate the Inquisitor, dressed in simple ruby red cardinal robes, handed over the relevant documentation to a rather fearful looking customs official. The knights were armoured in their distinctive black plating and white decorative tunics – the red splayed cross clear to see, and their helms removed for the purposes of verifying their identity. Both were extremely tall, one slightly over two metres and dwarfed the Inquisitor and their police escort, their shaved heads and numerous scars betrayed their militaristic war-torn past; but neither exhibited any sign of aggression or ulterior motives – a stern and uncomfortable gaze was all they showed.
The customs official was distracted by the imposing figures, further more by the gentle rocking and swaying of a clearly frustrated Inquisitor whom looked eager to get on with his job. The official fumbled with documents and passports until he was satisfied, of a sort, with the details of the men.
“The purpose of your visit, Sir?”
“It’s Your Grace, and we’re here on religious and archaeological premise. We’re to be visiting the city’s primary history museum. It is paramount we get there as soon as possible… though at this rate the rebellion will already be there before you admit us into this… country…”
“Ah, I see. Of course – welcome Inquisitor Gnaeus Drusus, to Holy Panooly.”
The trio of men were escorted back to their vehicle for their transit to the museum that would take about an hour and a half, enough time for the men to discuss the wider implications of their visit. The Stevidian Catholic Church had very little presence in Holy Panooly despite the proximity of Adaptus Astrates, since the first civil war the Church had repeatedly tried to branch into the nation but the instability of the country meant that establishing churches was incredibly difficult. Only one church, affiliated with the Stevidian Church’s branch in Adaptus Astrates, was present in Holy Panooly and that was in Volta City and had only remained because the Stevidians had erected it during the first civil war well over a decade ago. However prior even to that civil war, the Holy Empire and Stevid had been very close friends before the region had assembled itself into what would eventually be known as Imperial Armies and then, post-bellum, Greater Dienstad. A long forgotten expedition doomed to failure almost from the start but showing plenty of initial promise, was the reason these men were in Holy Panooly.
“What a cretin. I never remembered them being so fearful.” The tallest Templar said replacing his helmet, his voice changing from distinctly Stevidian to an electronic reverberation. His colleague chuckled but both of them went quiet as the Inquisitor gently raised his hand.
“Templars Jacana and Tiber, still yourselves. This may not be a combat operation and we are under strict orders to not involve the Empire with this on going conflict. The details of the expedition are held within the Panooly Central Museum of Archaeology. It is mission critical that we retrieve these documents and relative details in the name of the Church and Empire. We cannot allow them to be lost or destroyed should the city fall to either rebel or UWO forces – to be honest they should be in our hands and not that of the Holy Panooly government, for they are ignorant and careless. We are the rightful owners for we are faithful and legitimate believers.”
“The expedition was before my time of understanding, your Grace.” Tiber started. “However I’m very intrigued into the validity of the expedition and its findings.”
“Your doubt darkens my heart Tiber!” Drusus snapped. “What did the first disciples Simon and Andrew have to follow Jesus at but just his command? Only their faith. Trust me now Tiber; while I believe whole heartedly that the expedition did fail to uncover the relic, the premise behind the search was warranted and that in searching for it they were led astray by greed and clouded minds. Countless times they misread the archaeological and religious texts, misinterpreted the Torah and the Bible. Ultimately they failed through their lack of faith and resolve.”
“Was not Solomon’s Temple supposed to be the final resting place?” Tiber continued.
“We should not continue with idle speculation about its whereabouts. The truth of the matter is that the Panoolian government at the time gave approval for a search for the Ark and for a Stevidian presence by way of Church officials and historians. They failed, quite miserably in fact. We’re not here to reopen the investigation; we’re here because for the first several months it is believed that they were close to finding the Ark, only to fail. All documentation and findings during the expedition are in that museum and are in great danger of becoming lost and destroyed in this civil war.”
“Agreed.” Jacana said while nodding with approval. “This war is not like the last one. It is being fought by PMCs, foreign nations, rebels and the government. The previous one was a straightforward rebel versus coalition; few cities were directly threatened other than Volta and casualties, for the most part, limited to military persons. This war is much different.”
The vehicle passed through numerous checkpoints throughout the city until it finally stopped outside the Museum of Archaeology. The three men disembarked and walked up the paved stairs to the building entrances flanked by two policemen. The appearance of these robed and sinister looking characters drew a lot of stares from passers by; mothers shielded children and other onlookers deliberately distanced themselves, all the while the trio walk onwards never meeting the gaze of their new admirers. Things didn’t change upon entry into the museum though there were far fewer people inside than out. The Inquisitor strode towards the front desk, put his palms on the desk and towered over a frightened looking receptionist.
“I’m here to see Professor Karl Hoffman of Cultural Artefacts. I’m not expected, but it is imperative that I have an audience at once. Comply or I will find him myself.”
The receptionist nodded silently and meekly as he fumbled with a telephone and began conversing for several minutes before replying to Inquisitor Drusus. “He’s in his office, second floor on the atrium balcony.”
Without a word the trio of men and their police escort made their way to see the Professor. Prof K Hoffman was the museum’s leading man in terms of archaeological study into artefacts of cultural significance, no matter how old. He had not been part of the original Panoolian expedition to locate the Arc of the Covenant but as head of the Cultural Artefacts department of the museum he was in charge of all archived records involving the original expedition. The Prof had spent a great deal of time several years ago pouring over the manuscripts, field documentation and other recovered artefacts from the expedition but had never made any further appeals for government support to mount another expedition. In fact Prof Hoffman was quite content to leave the records where they were, the Arc was destined never to be found again and the costs of mounting were simply too high for very little possibility of reward. He’d read the archived files of the expedition once several years ago and never referred back to them since – they were all but a faded memory, which was why he was surprised to see a Stevidian Inquisitor and two Templars demanding the archives.
“Professor Hoffman, the request is simple enough.” Drusus started. “This museum will hand over to the Catholic Church in Stevid all archived manuscripts, documents, field notes, photographs, material, physical property and recovered relics that are attached to the file detailing the failed expedition to recover the Arc.”
“Not possible… your Grace.” Hoffman said firmly with a tone of resilience that surprised the Inquisitor. “They are the property of this museum. As I understand it, it was our idea to mount the expedition and the government funded it and asked for Stevid’s participation. The archived files have no right to be in Stevid. They are part of our history, a true documentation into the study and search of historically significant religious artefacts that have alluded humanity for millennia.”
“Professor, I should not have to explain myself further. Your once fine nation is on its knees and has been for nearly twenty years – now again, we see yet another civil war and this time there are no coalitions for you, everyone wants a piece of the pie. Your country is a mess and now the barbarians are literally at the gates of the city. I can assure you, no one else here agrees with the validity of your statement more than I. But the search for the Arc was quite significant in Stevid, as was the ultimate failure of the search. It is in the interests of both our countries that the archives of the expedition remain safe from theft or damage.”
“What you’re suggesting is theft!” Hoffman spat.
“I assure you that once your country has stabilised we will return all the original archives to this museum for their internment back into the vaults. For now they will be safer within the sacred vaults of St. Malleus cathedral in Stevid. If you don’t comply we’ll take the archived documents. Your country is in a spate of upheaval and it would not be difficult to insert Templars into the city to take want we want, this would come with damage and casualties. It’s your choice… give us the archived files.”
Hoffman relaxed slightly and sighed. After a few seconds he stood up and walked towards the door. “I suppose you’d better follow me then.”
OP TINKER - Lamonian Zone - Omega
Major Michelle Cross of the 9th Eldrich Light Dragoons walked into a small and bare concrete office, with her was a Lieutenant and nine SNCOs and lower ranks. Bar one sergeant and a corporal they were all (or had been before a re-trade) infantry soldiers and were part of the Stevidian observer mission to Omega – OP TINKER. They had been invited by the Lamonian government and tasked to over watch to proceedings in Omega as a neutral party. Maj Cross gathered everyone inside the small room for a briefing.
“I know it doesn’t look like much but it’s all we’ve been given. This is our office and will be the central Stevidian base of operations, about three hundred metres down the road is the Lamonian theatre HQ – they’re our bosses. In this room we will spruce it up and install a working office where we will collate all information on this conflict and assist our Lamonian counterparts in counter-insurgent activity were appropriate. My plan of action is based on the higher-level politics that surrounds our presence here; this could become a permanent residence for Stevidian forces in the future if the two governments decide a Stevidian military firm base is viable. We are here to ensure the groundwork gets off to a good start. We are to observe the local conflict and assist, in a very limited capacity, in helping bring it to and end. We are to ‘put out the tendrils’ as it were and begin liaison work with local government and allied militia groups and, of course, the Lamonian military. As a third party we can act as military mediators in cross border incidents. Understand so far?”
There was a nod of consensus.
“Your chain of command is as it is now but we also fall into the Lamonian rank structure too which means you pay the proper courtesy where appropriate. Unless in an official meeting you do not salute their officers; you salute the King’s commission so that means you salute the Lieutenant and I and you should only to ‘brace up’ to their brass. We, myself included, fall under the direct command of Col Vargas of Omega Command. He tells you to do something you do it and tell me while you’re at it. I don’t envisage problems but if there are then use our chain of command. Should you be on a patrol with Lamonian combat units then you obey by their rules and chain of command. You’re all good eggs but if there is a need for you to report criminal activity or to be investigated for it then the Lamonian MPs or local Civ Pol will deal. Questions, queries, problems?”
There was a collective “No Ma’am,” and so Maj Cross dismissed them all outside to begin unloading their equipment into their new office.
“I know it doesn’t look like much but it’s all we’ve been given. This is our office and will be the central Stevidian base of operations, about three hundred metres down the road is the Lamonian theatre HQ – they’re our bosses. In this room we will spruce it up and install a working office where we will collate all information on this conflict and assist our Lamonian counterparts in counter-insurgent activity were appropriate. My plan of action is based on the higher-level politics that surrounds our presence here; this could become a permanent residence for Stevidian forces in the future if the two governments decide a Stevidian military firm base is viable. We are here to ensure the groundwork gets off to a good start. We are to observe the local conflict and assist, in a very limited capacity, in helping bring it to and end. We are to ‘put out the tendrils’ as it were and begin liaison work with local government and allied militia groups and, of course, the Lamonian military. As a third party we can act as military mediators in cross border incidents. Understand so far?”
There was a nod of consensus.
“Your chain of command is as it is now but we also fall into the Lamonian rank structure too which means you pay the proper courtesy where appropriate. Unless in an official meeting you do not salute their officers; you salute the King’s commission so that means you salute the Lieutenant and I and you should only to ‘brace up’ to their brass. We, myself included, fall under the direct command of Col Vargas of Omega Command. He tells you to do something you do it and tell me while you’re at it. I don’t envisage problems but if there are then use our chain of command. Should you be on a patrol with Lamonian combat units then you obey by their rules and chain of command. You’re all good eggs but if there is a need for you to report criminal activity or to be investigated for it then the Lamonian MPs or local Civ Pol will deal. Questions, queries, problems?”
There was a collective “No Ma’am,” and so Maj Cross dismissed them all outside to begin unloading their equipment into their new office.
Echelon 6, Task Force 556 – 500km E of Holy Panooly
Echelon 6 (E6) was a large five-vessel formation of four Royal Navy ships and one Astratii Imperial vessel as part of Task Force (TF) 556. TF556 was an exclusive task force with no particular affiliation to any Stevidian fleet or battlefleet. It was exclusive because TF556 was an anti-piracy task force dedicated to patrol the waters around the mid-southern continent with further mandate to enter the waters of Holy Panooly upon distress calls from shipping under attack by pirates.
Piracy was the principle concern in this part of the region to the Holy Empire (Stevid and Adaptus Astrates inclusive) and in the aftermath of the last regional war activity had spiralled. Pirate enclaves in Holy Panooly and Theohuanacu grew at a tremendous rate and profited greatly from the undefended commercial traffic during the war. With a Macabeean invasion and eventual occupation of the latter territory came a death knell to most pirate activity in the waters between Holy Panooly and Theohuanacu. Both the Holy Empire and the Golden Throne had a vested interested in that part of the region and it remains one of the few occasion that the bitterest of rivals, at the time, were fighting with a common purpose by way of eliminating pirate activity.
These days, almost a decade later, the activity has subsided but not been removed. Pirate enclaves in Theohuanacu were systematically annihilated by Macabee troops while those in Holy Panooly were raided by Golden Throne forces and Imperial Royal Marines; however the vastness of the Holy Panooly jungles plus the anarchy inherent with the country at the time allowed some of the more resourceful pirate warlords to slink away and avoid complete destruction. The piracy problem had been tackled but detached from a specific area of the local region. Key shipping routes in the sea-passage, home to the waters of Theohuancu, Holy Panooly, Theo Islands (Gordonopia) and Adaptus Astrates, had been secured for the most part. But the problem had simply shifted away to less defended areas. The rugged islands between Former Indras (Now Omega) and Holy Panooly were becoming hot with activity and also reports sporadic attacks off the east coast. The east coast attacks were more of a concern to the Holy Empire due to the extreme proximity to Astratii waters and thus TF556 was ordered to increase her anti-piracy activities.
The increased international involvement on the continent was also of a concern to the Empire with rival empires now looking hungrily towards Holy Panooly. This however brought other more welcome consequences; while the east coast remained relatively quiet, the amount of foreign naval assets around Indras/Omega had practically crushed organised piracy. The situation now allowed for closer to home patrols between the Royal and Astratii Navies between Theo and Holy Panooly and off the HP east coast.
But E6 was not currently watching pirate vessels, in fact pirate activity off the east coast had shrunk to its lowest vessels in nearly six years. No, TF556 was tracking a stream of ships steaming westwards towards Holy Panooly. Radar contacts were large and bright and cross-references through the recognition database showed they were 70’s-80’s era vessels of British design templates. Only two nations had used such vessels in living memory, Stevid and Morrdh, and Stevid had decommissioned her aging fleet of Cold War era ships long before the last regional war. They could only be Morridane. Radar sensors picked up to distinctly Lamonian vessels as well that were sailing apart from the main force.
HMS Sagax, an Audacious Class CVL escort carrier, was the lead ship of E6 with a full complement of Sabré GR.1 attack aircraft armed with Holy Grail missiles. A new Antares Class AAW cruiser, an Astratii Reef Class, and two Stevidian Lemartes Class destroyers escorted her. The presence of Morrdh in the area was not deemed to be unusual because of the relations she had with Lamoni and her efforts in Omega at the time. However it was likely that the fleet would draw the attention of belligerents active in the local theatre sooner rather than later; although this was not Stevid’s fight, the proximity of the conflict to Adaptus Astrates was already getting too close for comfort. The Empire could ill afford further escalation out to sea in the east and would strive to prevent things getting out of hand.
The fleet had gone to condition yellow but not action stations. This heightened state of alert meant that the fleet’s situational awareness was that of combat readiness but without the arming of weapons or aggressive posturing. A Defiler Class command cruiser was also summoned by HMS Sagax, to which the HMS Ausculto responded and reported she would be on station within two hours. The idea here was that with the Defiler Class and Antares Class combining their extensive systems of surveillance and ECM/ECCM, the Empire would be able to garner a much better intelligence picture on the Morridane/Lamoni intent with the fleet. This would also increase overall Stevidian battlespace awareness should either the Golden Throne or the Ordinites choose to respond to the Morridane fleet and would give E6 the heads up it needed should the two belligerents come to blows.
HMS Sagax also launched a four-plane sortie to intercept the convoy at long range and shadow it to establish 100% the fleet composition. The planes would noisily transmit IFF with Stevidian signatures so as not to invite Morridane anti-air action. The GR.1’s, while armed with missiles that far outstripped the AA range of any ship in the convoy, were ordered not to fire under any circumstances. While Morrdh’s lack of official support in Stevid’s war with Imbrinium was damaging, it wasn’t enough for the government to not recognise them as ‘allies’; Lamoni too was inclusive in the directive to E6. Regardless of what happens, Stevidian military assets in the area were to track their allies only.
The situation was tense but it was further believed that an obvious Stevidian presence in the area would deter belligerent actions against the convoy. It was true that Stevid would be covertly attempting to eavesdrop on their ‘friends’ and their aircraft would be shadowing friendly units. But the makeshift (all be it uninvited) escort from heavily armed Stevidian aircraft would hopefully guarantee the convoy’s arrival to Holy Panooly safely. Of course all of this was official and in line with part of the Stevidian anti-piracy policy: All friendly shipping, military or otherwise, that travels through waters marked being threatened by organised pirate activity can expect naval or airborne escort.
Piracy was the principle concern in this part of the region to the Holy Empire (Stevid and Adaptus Astrates inclusive) and in the aftermath of the last regional war activity had spiralled. Pirate enclaves in Holy Panooly and Theohuanacu grew at a tremendous rate and profited greatly from the undefended commercial traffic during the war. With a Macabeean invasion and eventual occupation of the latter territory came a death knell to most pirate activity in the waters between Holy Panooly and Theohuanacu. Both the Holy Empire and the Golden Throne had a vested interested in that part of the region and it remains one of the few occasion that the bitterest of rivals, at the time, were fighting with a common purpose by way of eliminating pirate activity.
These days, almost a decade later, the activity has subsided but not been removed. Pirate enclaves in Theohuanacu were systematically annihilated by Macabee troops while those in Holy Panooly were raided by Golden Throne forces and Imperial Royal Marines; however the vastness of the Holy Panooly jungles plus the anarchy inherent with the country at the time allowed some of the more resourceful pirate warlords to slink away and avoid complete destruction. The piracy problem had been tackled but detached from a specific area of the local region. Key shipping routes in the sea-passage, home to the waters of Theohuancu, Holy Panooly, Theo Islands (Gordonopia) and Adaptus Astrates, had been secured for the most part. But the problem had simply shifted away to less defended areas. The rugged islands between Former Indras (Now Omega) and Holy Panooly were becoming hot with activity and also reports sporadic attacks off the east coast. The east coast attacks were more of a concern to the Holy Empire due to the extreme proximity to Astratii waters and thus TF556 was ordered to increase her anti-piracy activities.
The increased international involvement on the continent was also of a concern to the Empire with rival empires now looking hungrily towards Holy Panooly. This however brought other more welcome consequences; while the east coast remained relatively quiet, the amount of foreign naval assets around Indras/Omega had practically crushed organised piracy. The situation now allowed for closer to home patrols between the Royal and Astratii Navies between Theo and Holy Panooly and off the HP east coast.
But E6 was not currently watching pirate vessels, in fact pirate activity off the east coast had shrunk to its lowest vessels in nearly six years. No, TF556 was tracking a stream of ships steaming westwards towards Holy Panooly. Radar contacts were large and bright and cross-references through the recognition database showed they were 70’s-80’s era vessels of British design templates. Only two nations had used such vessels in living memory, Stevid and Morrdh, and Stevid had decommissioned her aging fleet of Cold War era ships long before the last regional war. They could only be Morridane. Radar sensors picked up to distinctly Lamonian vessels as well that were sailing apart from the main force.
HMS Sagax, an Audacious Class CVL escort carrier, was the lead ship of E6 with a full complement of Sabré GR.1 attack aircraft armed with Holy Grail missiles. A new Antares Class AAW cruiser, an Astratii Reef Class, and two Stevidian Lemartes Class destroyers escorted her. The presence of Morrdh in the area was not deemed to be unusual because of the relations she had with Lamoni and her efforts in Omega at the time. However it was likely that the fleet would draw the attention of belligerents active in the local theatre sooner rather than later; although this was not Stevid’s fight, the proximity of the conflict to Adaptus Astrates was already getting too close for comfort. The Empire could ill afford further escalation out to sea in the east and would strive to prevent things getting out of hand.
The fleet had gone to condition yellow but not action stations. This heightened state of alert meant that the fleet’s situational awareness was that of combat readiness but without the arming of weapons or aggressive posturing. A Defiler Class command cruiser was also summoned by HMS Sagax, to which the HMS Ausculto responded and reported she would be on station within two hours. The idea here was that with the Defiler Class and Antares Class combining their extensive systems of surveillance and ECM/ECCM, the Empire would be able to garner a much better intelligence picture on the Morridane/Lamoni intent with the fleet. This would also increase overall Stevidian battlespace awareness should either the Golden Throne or the Ordinites choose to respond to the Morridane fleet and would give E6 the heads up it needed should the two belligerents come to blows.
HMS Sagax also launched a four-plane sortie to intercept the convoy at long range and shadow it to establish 100% the fleet composition. The planes would noisily transmit IFF with Stevidian signatures so as not to invite Morridane anti-air action. The GR.1’s, while armed with missiles that far outstripped the AA range of any ship in the convoy, were ordered not to fire under any circumstances. While Morrdh’s lack of official support in Stevid’s war with Imbrinium was damaging, it wasn’t enough for the government to not recognise them as ‘allies’; Lamoni too was inclusive in the directive to E6. Regardless of what happens, Stevidian military assets in the area were to track their allies only.
The situation was tense but it was further believed that an obvious Stevidian presence in the area would deter belligerent actions against the convoy. It was true that Stevid would be covertly attempting to eavesdrop on their ‘friends’ and their aircraft would be shadowing friendly units. But the makeshift (all be it uninvited) escort from heavily armed Stevidian aircraft would hopefully guarantee the convoy’s arrival to Holy Panooly safely. Of course all of this was official and in line with part of the Stevidian anti-piracy policy: All friendly shipping, military or otherwise, that travels through waters marked being threatened by organised pirate activity can expect naval or airborne escort.
