US Cruiser Sunk (MT, CLOSED)

[Stockport City]

The Tiochondria Class Cruiser, USS Sentinel, slipped through moonlit seas. They were a few nautical miles off a coastline. It was generally accepted that one could pass through anothers waters, just as long they didn't start attempting to blow up the owners country. The Sentinel had been undergoing some technological issues, her weapons were off-line, so was her scanners and communications systems. So the Sentinel wasn't particually threatening to anyone in her current state. However, someone clearly felt threatened.

The crew of the Sentinel ducked as three unidentified aircraft swooped over the ship. Little did the crew know, but the aircraft were attempting to contact them. But of course, without comms up, there was no way to respond. That may explain why the aircraft soon fired upon the Sentinel. Without her Close-In Weapons Systems activated, there was nothing that the Sentinel could do. She was hit three missiles amidships. The ship was hit, directly to her armoury. The Missiles stored inside we detonated and the middle of the ship was torn open. The crew quickly began to abandon ship and the life rafts headed towards the land, maybe, just maybe the survivng crew could sneak in and wait for the US to resuce them. Looking Back, Captain Jane Way sighed as his ship sunk beneath the waves.

The Triangle, Military Command Centre

"We've got a missing US Cruiser, Now we know roughly where it went down, and it is close to another nation-state" Fleet Admiral Samantha Wildman "However, we can't be sure that they are responsible, although it is likely"
President Trask sighed as he leant forward. Due to the refurbishments of the Conference suits at the Grey house, he had been shuttled over here in Motorcade.
"What do you suggest?" He asked.
"The John Laurence Carrier group is only a few hours away, we send them to invesigate, look for survivors, and prepare for retaliation if it was a hostile act"
"Is the John Laurence Nuclear Armed?" John asked interested.
"Her Ohio Class is armed with Nuclear Missiles" Wildman replied. John nodded
"Send them"

USS John Laurance

Ten minutes later when the order arrived from the National Command Authoirty, the carrier group, as one, altered course and headed for the last know location of the Sentinel. Rear-Admiral Paris wasn't too thrilled to be investigateing the loss of the Sentinel, he was close to the Captain of the Sentinel, and hoped that she was still alive. As soon as the carrier group was all re-orintated they all sped up, the Ohio and her escorts dived and assumed station under the carrier group as they headed to their destination.

[Stockport City]

OOC: Bump

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

The explosion in the distance caught the eye of Captain Jessica Berkly. There weren't any wars in the area, and the UWS Naval Intelligence Center had not deemed the area a risk. She turned to her second in command, 1st Mate Luke Scult.

"Mr Scult, alert command that we have detected an explosion and are moving to investigate." Luke nodded and went off to the com-room. Captain Berkly then spoke to the man at the helm, Ray Johnson.

"Johnson, bring us to two-thirds speed, bearing two-eight-B-nine. If that explosion came from a ship then there may be survivors"

"Yes Captain. What if it's a trap?"

Captain Berkly had to try and stop herself from laughing.

"A trap? The UWS has no enemies in this area. Why would anyone want to kill us? Besides, we are just heading back to our own nation, after all." As she said this, she felt the Portland slowly turning to head towards the explosion.

"I'm just saying that we should be careful."

"Fine. Sound a general warning. Tell the crew to get ready for either a rescue mission or an attack."

"Of course Captain."

"Oh, and in case your right and this is a trap, raise our flag, put the beacon transmitter on five minutes intervals and turn on the spotlights. If there are survivors, we want them to know where we are."

With that, Captain Berkly walked out of the bridge on out onto the observation platform. A fire could be seen burning in the distance. A mechanical whir came from behind her and she turned and watched as the flag of the UWS was raised high above the deck. Seconds later, the massive spotlights that were mounted on the top of the bridge burst to life, throwing their clear white light onto the water in a 500ft radius around the Portland. Captain Berkly normally wasn't very emotional, but now, as the Portland headed towards the site of the explosion, she was hoping that whoever was on that boat was still alive.

[Spredronia]

The Search-and-Rescue ships approached the area. The ASS Fallout, being a large armed salvage ship, was coming along. To see if they could find any survivors.

As they approached the wreck, the captain ordered to launch Westland Lynx helicopters to comb the area with sonar, and Apaches to guard them. The whuppa-whuppa-whuppa of helicopters filled the air as they soared towards the site of the sinking.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

"Captain, we have detected aerial units and several naval units on our scanners."

"Are they friendly?"

"I don't know. Lets hope they are picking up our beacon and don't mistake us for a threat."

"See if you can raise them on communications."

"Yes Captain." The com-officer adjusted the radio frequency. "Attention unknown vessel. This is the UWS Portland. We are not hostile and are going to see if there are any survivors from that explosion. Do you acknowledge?"

[Stockport City]

Unknown Beach, unknown Country

Captain Jane Way, was thankful she had decided to take some of the weapons off the ship before it went down. As she looked down from the hillside above the beach, she could see the small cluster of tents on the beach below, barely visable thanks to camoflage they had eben able to gather from around the area. Everyone had a sidearm on their belts, and the ships marines had their M4's. Jane personnaly hoped that someone would arrive to rescue them, before whoever sunk her ship had the opportunity to finish of the job. As she looked out to sea, she could see the outlines of several ships, but at this range she could not ID who they where or even what they were. There was no point signleing as she may be signleing to the enemy. She sighed as she sank to her knees and continued to look out.

USS John Laurence

The Carrier group continued at full tilt towards it's sobering mission. Paris knew that the longer they took, the less chance they would find their lost crew. The General Alarm was suddenly sounded and Paris headed quickly to the CIC. He soon saw the issue. On RADAR there were several Naval vessels, and aircraft. Paris nodded grimly as he ordered the CAP increased, these could be the bastards who sunk the Sentinel.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

"Captain, we have a large group of ships on radar. Looks like there may be a carrier among them."

"I see. Have the attempted to make contact with us?"

"Negative. What should we do?"

"Well, lets hope they pick up on the beacon. If not, raise them on the communication line."

"Yes captain. Oh, by the way, we ware about an thirty minutes from the sight of the explosion."

"Good, good. Tell all personnel to man battle stations. If this carrier group are the ones who sunk this ship, then we are going to have to fight back."

[Stockport City]

USS John Laurence

Paris stood in thought at the end of the flight deck as the Carrier Group continued to move closer to the last known postion of the sentinel. He suddenly came to a decision. He spoke into the headset on his head.
"Launch Rainbow Squadron, Have them search for the Sentinel's Transponder, they'll have to get close to pick it up, so their going to have to fly nap of the earth" Paris ordered. A few minutes later the first of the F-18's were brought up onto the flight deck. The Deck crew quickly got about their task of preparing the Super Hornets for launch. A further short time later, Twelve F-18's were in the air. They quickly manvoured themselves into a line abreast formation. From their they decreased altitude and headed towards the Sentinels last know postion. Each aircraft was equipped with a Transponder Seeker, if the Sentinel's Captain had taken the Transponder, then they would be able to trace it to the surviviors.

[Unified Western States]

"Captain, Aircraft inbound!!! What are your orders?"

Jessica grimaced. She had hoped this would end peacefully. It still could, she thought.

"Increase the non-hostility beacon to maximum megahertz. I'm going to record a message, then play it on all available frequencies. And, as a precaution, alert the AA gunners that they may need to fire."

"Ok Captain. Now, Record your message."

Jessica signaled for quiet on the deck, then began to spoke.

"To all units in the area, this is Captain Berkly of the UWS Portland. We are not hostile and are only here to assist the survivors of the explosion. We are broadcasting a non-hostile beacon and are proceeding to the explosion zone. To any units hearing this, I repeat we are not hostile. Do not fire on us."

Jessica nodded to the com-officer, who proceeded to send out the message. Jessica breathed a sigh of relief. They were only three minutes from the explosion site. This might not end up so bad after all. They

[Stockport City]

"Christ!" Rainbow One exclaimed as the Beacon message was squacked on their frequency "Rainbows to John Laurence, you getting that?"
Roger that Rainbows, we're getting a reply together for them, your to buzz them, before continueing your sweep, have fun. The Flight Controller replied. The Rainbows nodded to themselves as they kept in their line abreast formation, they then headed for the unknown ships, now locking targets on them at all, merely keeping their scans up for the Transponders. The Jets blasted over the unknown ship, most likely causing the ship below to shake slightly.

USS John Laurence

Paris scowled as he replied.
"Captain Birkly, this is Admiral Paris of the United States Ship John Laurence, we are responding to a distress call from the USS Sentinel"

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

"Thank goodness someone came through. So you say the USS Sentinel is the name of the ship? I've never heard of it but...."

Captain Birkly stopped as the entire ship shook and an alarm rang out. "Captain, a squadron of aircraft just buzzed us!!"

"I know, I know. As I was saying, we are going to search for survivors as well. And, if those were your aircraft, I would recommend that you not have them buzz us again. Some of my AA gunners have itchy trigger fingers, to say the least, and I would prefer not to start a war."

[Stockport City]

Paris wasn't in the mood for diplomacy, not in this situation, he wanted to find the Sentinels crew and her Captain, and get out before they could cause an international incident, so he said bluntly back on the comms.
"Captain Birkly, you are interfering in a United States Navy Rescue operation of one of our own, stop making veilded threats and either assist us, or get the hell out of here, am I clear?"

Rainbow Squadron

The Squadron continued to sweep the Ocean. Rainbow Six, on the eastern most flank began to pick up a transponder trace, he broke of from the rest of the unit and began to trace it.

[Unified Western States]

The voice on the other end of the com-line did not sound happy. But then again, neither was Jessica.

"First off, how the hell are we "interfering?" We aren't even at the site yet and we have done nothing to interfere. Secondly, we'll assist you, but it's not for your sake, it is for the people in the water's. And you have no authority over our actions. We will not do anything intentionally interfering and we are trying to help. I think a little more respect could be in order."

She turned to the helmsman. "Once we reach the site of the explosion, full stop and lower nets. Get the bull horns out and start calling out to anyone." He nodded and she walked over to their weapons and operations officer.

"Tucker, reposition satellite O-32-A over the carrier fleet. Keep an eye on them. They obviously don't trust or like us, so we'll have to be careful."

"Yes Captain. Repositioning satellite."

Tens of thousands of miles above the earth, a UWS Surveillance Satellite moved into a geo-synchronous orbit above the carrier fleet. It began feeding live images back to the Portland. Jessica looked on with approval as the feed came through on the main screen. The las thing she wanted was to get into a fight.

[Stockport City]

Paris scowled as he slammed the recived down. He growled as he read a message from USID, high abov them, they had put a sattelite there, how kind of them. He passed an order to be given to the sub below to prepare an Anti-Sat missile in case combat broke out. He also began to get the SOnar crew to find the Sentinels wreak so he could know where to send the Self-Destruct signle once they had secured the area.

Sentinel Crew Site

Jane ducked as a F-18 soared over them and came about. And began to circle. As it did this, Jane began to wave up at the aircraft, and the shortwave radio on her hip began to crackle.
"This Rainbow Six, US Navy, Please Respond"
Jane tried to answer but she was clearly not getting through.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

The spotlights swept across the dark ocean, searching among the wreckage fore any survivors. None could be found. A few dead bodies had been pulled on board, but no survivors. Jessica shook her head. No matter what nation a ship belonged to, it was a tragedy when one sank. She went back to the com station and began transmitting to the carrier.

"We have found three dead bodies with dog tags. We will turn them over to your nation when we get to a port. Until then, we will continue search and rescue operations. Captain Berkly out" she hung up.

"Captain, sonar has detected that the carrier group has submarines with them." The sonar officer said at once.

"What? God damn it. If we get in a conflict, we may be in more trouble than we thought. Send a message to Central Command. Tell them to have the Salem put on standby. We may need a battleship if things get out of hand."

"Yes Captain. I sure hope we won't need the Salem. The last thing I want is a war right now. Also, should I encrypt the message?"

Jessica shook her head. "No, if they happen to decide to listen in, all they'll find out is that a ship called the Salem is being put on standby."

"Transmitting request now."

[Stockport City]

"Rainbow Six to Lead, I beleive I've found a emcampent, it may be survivors, recommend Marines are deployed" Rainbow six said over the comms as he continued to circle over the encamptment. So far he hadn't been fired upon, so he assumed they were freindly, or at least unarmed.

Paris sighed as he heard the message over the comms, damn, three dead. He was tempted to request the names, but he didn't want to appear weak in front of another nations navy.Instead he ordered his ships to continue towards the zone to commence rescue ops, a recommendation came from the Rainbows, and he gave the order for three Seahawks to be prepped with Marines.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

Jessica sighed as she looked over the three body bags. Their dog tags lay on a table to the side. It was so sad. A page brought her back to the bridge.

"What is it" she asked. "Just saw this over the satellite. The carrier brought three helicopters to the flight deck. Also, I did a little recon and found that their jets are circling an encampment on a nearby beach. What should we do?"

"Lets continue looking through the debris field. If we find any other bodies, we'll take them onboard. Nobody deserves to be left in the sea."

The com-officer looked up. "Captain, we have a response from the Salem. Her captain said that he will be standing by should we need him."

"Excellent. If this gets out of hand, at least we'll have backup. Can you tell if the carrier group intercepted the message?"

"Nope. They must not be looking."

"I see. what about their subs? Any activity?"

"Nothing. They're just sitting there."

"That's good. On a different note, send up a UAV to scout the debris field. It will make our search easier."

"Of course, but what happens if the carrier mistakes it for an assault drone or a spy drone?"

"Guess we'll find out."

"Right. Deploying drone."

A hatch on the back deck of the Portland slid open and a small UAV lifted out. It had the appearance of a miniature helicopter and Jessica watched as is sped away from the ship, gone to search the rest of the growing debris field.

[Stockport City]

On the Flight Deck the Marines were getting ready. At the far end, the ships crew had brough a varierty of weapons up and the marines were choosing their favourites. About ten minutes later, they were all camo creamed up and ready for anything. As they made their way over the the Helo, another Chopper arrrived from one of the Cruisers. A AH-1 Super Cobra, housed on a specially modified cruiser. This attack helo would escort the Marines and provide fire support.

Rainbow Two was dispatched by Combat control to investigate this new Unmanned drone that the other ship had launched It was her mission to identify what it was, and what it's intentions where. Rainbow two formed on the Drones port side as the pilot scrutinized it.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

"Captain, as expected, they are investigating our drone."

"Well, it's unarmed and wont do anything except fly around and search for survivors. There is no reason for them to attack it."

The com-officer suddenly began to talk.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we just got a communication from Command. They said they have dispatched the Salem to our location and that we are to initiate a burst beacon on all frequencies."

Jessica whipped around, startled. "What!? We didn't request the Salem come right now! And why do they need a burst frequency?"

The com-officer shook his head. "I don't know Captain, but I am going to go send that burst transmission. The Salem should be here in about an hour."

"Fine go. And keep searching for survivors or bodies" Jessica walked over to the window and looked out at the carrier group. The Salem was a Oregon-class battleship, nearly 270 meters long and armed to the tooth with guns. It was not a friendly looking ship and with tensions already high between the Portland and the carrier group, the Salem was not going to help. Although she would never say this out loud, she sometimes wondered if the Naval Department was run by idiots.

[Stockport City]

United States Intelligence Directorate

"Supervisor!" One of the analysts at the Sattelite stations called. This analyst was observeing one of the sats that had been tasked to observe the John Laurence and the immediate area around the carrier group. And he was disturbed with what he saw.
"Yes slade?"
"We've got a Battleship-rate vessel heading directly for the John Laurence Operational Zone"
"Damn" The Supervisor muttered, he had no doubt that the carrier group could easily fight of an attack by a single battleship, but it would result in loss of life aboard the Carrier Group. With a sigh he sent a message to Admiarl Paris.

USS John Laurence

"Sir, message from USID, they're reporting that we've got a battleship-rate, heading towards us at high speed, ETA, One hour" The Ships intelligence officer reported.
Paris scowled.
"Increase the CAP, have all other piltos on hot stand-by, but the Fleet on High Alert, and move one of the Viginia's as close as you can get them to the Battleships approach vector, Have the Crimson Tide prepare a non-nuclear missile inc ase it's needed, but keep their Nukes hot" Paris ordered grimly as he scrutinized the Sat Feed.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

Things were getting hectic on the Portland. Two more bodies had been pulled out of the water, but one of them was alive and in critical condition. In addition, the Salem was less than twenty minutes away. Sonar had detected some movement among the submarines. Jessica was now at the com-station, getting ready to transmit a message to the carrier group.

"Attention carrier group. We have pulled one dead body out of the sea, but we have also recovered a survivor. He his badly wounded and in critical condition, but our doctors are doing all they can for him. And, as a side note, the battleship that you have probably heard is entering the area is non on our request. Our government sent them but they have no intention of attacking you. They just feel that we shouldn't be totally outnumbered should a fight rise up." she hung up. The surveillance operator called out to her. "Captain, the Salem has entered the our satellites field of view."

"Wait, what? I thought it was twenty minutes away?"

"Nope. More like ten. The carrier group should have visual on it in about fifteen minutes."

Jessica look out at the other boats. this might end badly. As if to reinforce this, she could just see the Salem coming over the horizon. she grabbed a pair of binoculars and looked at it. Only the massive command tower and one of the massive three-barreled 200mm cannons could be seen, but that was enough to know that the carrier group would not take kindly to it.

[Stockport City]

"They feel like they shouldn't be so outnumbered" Paris repeated to himself "1+1 does not usually equal 22, last time i checked"
There was a sight snicker from the CIC crew. There was a slight annouance when the USID reported that the Battleship was closer than the other ship had indicated.
"Have the cruisers paint the Battleship, but hold your fire" Paris ordered grimly as they looked on.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Salem

Captain John Richardson looked at the page from the scanner operator. The carrier group had moved into high alert mode. He smiled and turned to the weapons operator.

"Looks like they don't like us here. Well, if they want to give us a welcome gift, we should do the same. Target their carrier will all main guns and lock on the Typhoon missiles, but do not fire until they fire first. If there is going to be a diplomatic incident, then they should start it." He turned to the radar operator. "What is the status of our battlegroup?"

"The other thirty ships are on standby outside the carrier groups sensors. They can be here in ten and start shooting in five."

"Good, good. I certainly hope it doesn't come to that, I really do hate war. But if it does, we won't be losing."

UWS Portland

Jessica looked at the radar array with amazement. The Salem was not the only ship that had come. The 5th Regional Strike Group, a fleet composed of forty ships and based around the super carrier the UWS Clark, was holding outside what Jessica presumed was the carrier group's radar range. Her own command had lied to her. They certainly wanted to win any conflict that might break out here. As the Salem came into full view, with all of its massive cannons and little ones, she wasn't so sure that that would happen. Now that she had a full view of the Salem, so did the enemy.

[Stockport City]

United States Intellifence Directorate

"MY GOD!" The Same analyst exclaimed as he saw this huge battlegroup on the Sattelite feeds. This was amazeing, and it was also a clear act of aggresion, yes the Carrier group was present, but they were responding to the loss of one of their ships. These bastards were only sending a large number of ships because they wanted to start a war, clearly. The Anaylst sighed as he sent messages to both the Secretery of Defence and Admiral Paris on the Laurence. A few minutes later he read the inter department messages. And additional carrier group was being diverted, and Forces had been put o DEFCON three. All ships of the John Laurance were put on General Quarters, the Crimson tide had dove to maximum firing level. This wasn't going to end well.

[Unified Western States]

UWS Portland

Jessica was frantic. The Portland was caught between the 5th Regional and the carrier group. She knew she had to do something. She ran to the com-station and opened a link with the other carrier group.

"Attention carrier group, attention. I hope you get this before it is too late. The 5th Regional has not come here to start and war or even a scuffle! They are here because my command feels like you have been threatening this ship and has responded as such. They have come under do not fire unless fired upon orders, so as long as nobody shoots, everything will be fine. Also, the one sailor we managed to find alive is getting better. He says he was a logistical officer but won't tell us his name. So, if a fight breaks out, remember that we have on of your own on the Portland. I repeat, the 5th Regional is not going to fire on you unless fired upon."

She sighed and fell back in her chair. With any luck that would solve the issue.