Stop Killing My People! [IC, Open, MT]

[Cardulan]

This is a public service announcement form the Royal Ministry of Information

Ever since the failed elections in Oehiton, there have been problems in the north. The entire region has refused to accept the results and accuses the president of fraud and gerrymandering. The protest turned to riots and the riots turned to armed insurrection. The central government was unwilling and unable to do much about it. Like most other failing and failed sates, Oehiton has not done much besides arming local paramilitaries to keep the rebels at bay. Those paramilitaries had close links to the local drug lords, which meant that the central government was in fact arming the cartels with military weapons.

Soon the land along the river Hoarwell was under control of the cartels which used their new position to export most of their merchandise to Cardulan. While the cartels fight united against the dissidents they also fight each other happily over the distribution of market shares. Northern Oehiton has effectively turned into a warzone. Cardulan's border guard and gendarms had to deal with refugees, rebels, smugglers and cartels alike. Fire fights along the river Hoarwell became frequent. With the government not wanting to take control of its northern border, all diplomacy was in vain.

Today the tensions have escalated into a full scale war.

At 04:00 in the morning the National Gendarmerie engaged armed bikers in the vicinity of Drunin. The gangsters were heavily armed and well trained. Our Gendarms had the upper hand in the fight till regular Oehiteon soldiers arrived by helicopter and attacked our police men. Fortunately an armoured unit of the Royal Border Guards was close enough to deal with the invasion. After the fight it became obvious that the gangsters were mass producing designer drugs in a derelict factory on the Oehition side of the border.



With this invasion Oehiton has crossed the literal red line. They have shown some skill in choosing the right day for this operation. The Queen is in a royal visit Claanyad and therefore the commander in chief of our armed forces is not available to lead her troops. However, the plans of the reckless filibusters did not come together, today the ministry of war ordered a large scale police operation to re-establish law and order, not only along the border but in all of Oehiton. With the growing incompetence of the government it has become obvious that the only way of guaranteeing the well being and the freedom of the people of Oehiteon is an outside intervention.



FJORDLAND

• Fjordland has a Christian majority.
• The province rejected the election results and has been in rebellion ever since.
• To the local Christians (and a few of the Pagans) this is south Cardulan.
• The Renaborg Cartel was wiped out by the Haugemil Cartel (aka the Blue Dragons).
• The Pather Guards are most active here.
• Jackonia has invaded this province.
• Cardulan has invaded this province.
• The S.C.A.R. is active in the province.
• Caracasus’ Humanitarian Aid Camp is located here.
• The Cartels have taken over most government functions.
• Renaborg and Hamarheim have been deprived of electricity.
• Most of the atrocities were carried out in that province.
• The Oehiton counter offensive is taking place here.
• Cardulan and Albaie control the province.
• The S.C.A.R. administers the province.
• The Provincial capital is Renaborg.
• The province is currently recovering and reconstructed by Cardulan and Albaie.
• Marauders and Bandits are active on a small scale.
• The province has a serious drug problem.
• Caracasus currently has a refugee camp - now almost a small city - located in and around the northern town of Wodensgardd.
• Caracasusian aid workers are most concentrated in this area.
• Caracasus is extending aid convoys to other areas, following a deal with S.C.A.R that allowed them to move more supplies into the region under guard.
• Caracasus has aid distribution centers (though not camps) on or near most major cities.
• Caracasus Aid freighters regularly make deliveries.
• Those camps unable to be reached by sea are supplied by aid convoys.
• Aid freighters in the controlled zone are without escort.
• Some of these centers (especially ones closer to the main camp) are well staffed - others are little more than a drop-off zone.
  
• Fjordland is now stable and part of South Cardulan.
• There is a provisional government in Renaborg.
• South Cardulan has not declared independence.
• The S.C.A.R. and Panthers have legalized themselves to function as the province’s security forces.
• Trade and employment is recovering quickly.
  

BERGLAND

• Bergland has a Christian majority, which is less radical than that of Fjordland.
• The province rejected the election results and has been in rebellion ever since.
• To the local Christians (and a few of the Pagans) this is south Cardulan.
• Asendal is the home of Armin Jory and has a long communist tradition.
• The S.C.A.R. is active in the province.
• The Pather Guards are active here.
• Cardulan has invaded this province.
• The Cartels have taken over most government functions.
• Asendal’s water reserves have been poisoned.
• The Oehiton counter offensive is taking place here.
• The province is made up of very difficult mountainous territory.
• The S.C.A.R. is in control of the region.
• The province is administered from Renaborg.
• Cardulan and Opplandia are rebuilding the province.
• Terrorists and guerrillas are active in the province.
• Caracasus has aid distribution centers (though not camps) on or near most major cities.
• Caracasus Aid freighters regularly make deliveries.
• Those camps unable to be reached by sea are supplied by aid convoys.
• Aid freighters in the controlled zone are without escort.
• Some of these centers (especially ones closer to the main camp) are well staffed - others are little more than a drop-off zone.
• The province is now part of South Cardulan.
• Panthers and S.C.A.R make up the security forces for the province.
• The province is recovering.
• The S.C.A.R. uses this province as base for their raids into enemy territory.
  

KINGSLAND

• The people of Kingsland are the ones most loyal to the government.
• Vik is the capital of Oehiton. an "Open City" hit by a virus.
• Pagans are the majority in this province.
• The government is in control of it.
• The S.C.A.R. is active in the province, though only as guerrillas.
• The Blue Dragons have their HQ in this province.
• Heavy fighting is taking place on Hiton Oe.
• Paginista is invading this province. has suffered heavy causalities in their failed invasion.
• Albaie and Cardulan are in control of Haugemil, Vloda, Nesby and Skei.
• Vik is currently out of control as the city was hit by a virus.
• The Oehitonian government resides in Kongshammer.
• Caracasus has aid distribution centers (though not camps) on or near most major cities.
• with the exception of Vik - which was never established before the release of the virus.
• Caracasus Aid freighters regularly make deliveries.
• Those camps unable to be reached by sea are supplied by aid convoys.
• Aid freighters in the controlled zone are without escort.
• Some of these centers (especially ones closer to the main camp) are well staffed - others are little more than a drop-off zone.
• Irregular warfare from all sides ravages the countryside.
• Refugees from Vik are fleeing north.
• Here is heavy fighting in the province as the armies of all sides clash in Norvik.
  
  

SUNDLAND

• Sundland is a province with a mixed population, a lot of Pagans, Atheists and Christians life here.
• The Christians in the region have been victimized by the government.
• It is the safest province of Oehiton.
• It is under government control but the population is less fond of the Vik regime than those in Kingsland.
• The province has declared independence.
• The region is also known as the People’s Republic of Orkfjell.
• Orkfjell has been recognized by two several nations as an independent state.
• There is heavy guerrilla activity in the province.
• It is occupied by Tekeristan.
• Caracasus has aid distribution centers (though not camps) on or near most major cities.
• Caracasus Aid freighters regularly make deliveries.
• Those camps unable to be reached by sea are supplied by aid convoys.
• Aid freighters in the controlled zone are without escort.
• Some of these centers (especially ones closer to the main camp) are well staffed - others are little more than a drop-off zone.
• There has been an invasion of an unknown force.
• Askvoll is an Islamic emirate.
• Alfheimar is under control of Colonel Kurtz’ Jægers.
• Mercenaries from all sides fight each other in this province.

THE HIGH SEAS

• Various Fleets are operating here.
• The Caracasusian fifth fleet is on patrol in international waters, this fleet includes The Loxi (Where talks are being attempted) and provides escort through the more treacherous international waters following the attack on The Persephone.
• The Legions are besieging the city of Vik while engaging the Caelton fleet with their own not far from the city itself.

Oehiton is a nation, where the establishment follows some kind of mock paganism with wicca and new age influence. Vik is the capital of Oehiton. The Land is divided into four provinces. The Fjordland which covers almost the entire north, the Bergland which is located in the two most northern provinces and is made up primarily of mountains, the Sundland which is located in the south and the Kingsland which makes up most of central Oehiteon. The people in the Fjordland and the Bergland are predominantly Christian and it has been like that for millennia.
No repression, no temptation and no threat could ever make them turn away from their religion. The People in Sundland are different, there we have a mix of religions which Christians being the majority. They make up 25 percent of the population but are a lot less self-confident than their northern brothers. Paganism and atheism are popular in Sundland too. Kingsland is the only province where the neo-pagans are a majority. This is the powerbase of the ruling president.

Currently the entire north has refused to accept the election results and is in open rebellion. Sundland is devided in three areas, controlled by the Renaborg, the Hamarheim and the Haugmil Cartel. There is not much difference between the cartels and the cartels are pretty much like every other criminal enterprise. The big difference is, that they are more or less government sponsored the president in Vik does not care about them as long as they keep the rebels at bay and extort enough taxes from the people of the north to keep him happy. Bergland is different. Bergland has Armin Jory, a radical left wing activist who turned terrorist. He is very popular in the north and is one of the few people who try to unite the rebel groups to fight against the Asendal Cartel and the Vik government.

You find theOOC thread here.

[Dogs of War]

Kristoffer Rovlund military commander of the S.C.A.R. Pledging allegiance to the Queen and the Flag of Cardulan.

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.

To us the oppressive regime of Oehiton no longer exists. For too long Christians were oppressed in their own homeland, for too long drug lords and terrorists have threatened our families for too long we have been separated from our Christian brothers and sisters in Cardulan.

To defend ourselves, our children and our Christian faith we have formed the South Cardulan Army of Resistance. We share the language, the culture and the history with the people of Cardulan but more than that. We share the faith and the Queen with the people of Cardulan. We are the people of Cardulan. There will be no peaceful solution for our people as long as we have to remain part of Oehiton.

Neglected and oppressed by the Vik government the Bay of Hamarheim today declares its full independence. The people of the Bay are no longer part of Oehiton. To defend our God given right of secession the S.C.A.R. declears all other armed formations on the territory of the Bay to be illegal. All weapons have to be handed to the local authorities, all personnel affiliated with the drug cartels and Oehiton is requested to leave the area within 12 hours.

Therefore I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you recognize the legitimacy of the full independence of Hamarheim County. I appeal to you to send us heavy weapons like tanks and anti-aircraft missiles to enable us to defend ourselves against the Oehiton aggression.

The fate of the Christian people of Hamarheim is in your hands.

[Paginista]

(Subtitle: "The New Young Cardulan Guard Also known as the "Panthers of Mauzer' pose on old possible salvaged Paginistian vehicles somewhere near the Cardulan border")

Last night a Group of nearly two hundred fifty men stormed a TV broadcast relay station in the Renaborg region of Oehiton. Armed with automatic weapons and rifles the men began to broadcast. Identifying as the 'Panthers of Mauzer' group they broadcast a message to the region that is suspected to have a sizable orthodox christian population.

Code: Select all

Glorious Comrades of Renaborg. Christians of all walks of life and churches. My fellow Orthodox and Catholic brothers under Christ. For too long we have suffered under the heels of the Pagan terror. We call upon all to support us in our crusade to drive back the enemies and establish a new Christian state free for all believers be them Orthodox, Catholic or any other Denomination. Together we form the Panthers of Mauzer. We are the New Young Christian Guard. Justice will always be on our side. We are all the Pride of Mauzer. Not even Paginista has such a loyal and brave army!


The leader has been identified as an ex social worker Mauzer Ljubic. A former social worker coming from Hamarheim

A music broadcast was also played after the address. (OOC: none of the footage in the video was recorded. Simply sourced from other nation's paramilitaries)

[Cardulan]

This is a public announcement of the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

To those who have been watching the situation in Oehiton deteriorate it is no surprise that self defence units like the "Panthers of Mauzer" or the S.C.A.R. are forming all over the nation. We condemn every form of violence but we will defend our territory and we demand an instant stop of the persecutions of Christians in Oehiton. We do not want to escalate this already tense situation but we need to make sure that the leadership of Oehiton understands that we are only one step away from a war. We demand an instant explanation and substantial compensation for the families of the dead soldiers. This is your last chance to try and resolve this situation peacefully. Don't waste this opportunity.

Baron Anarion V of Londer, Royal Minister of Foreign Affairs

[The Aspari Syndicate]

An officer walked between the twenty four soldiers, smiling coldly as he observed the work going on all around the rain-soaked base. Serial numbers were carefully filed off of weapons, vehicles had their coded trackers wiped and disabled, and all of the vehicles were getting a fresh coat of paint... black, of course, and saturated with anti-detection materials. Any trace of origin would be removed: the entire platoon was swiftly vanishing from the record books. The officer checked the paint job on one of the heavy IFVs, and nodded his head. The soldiers overseeing the repainting quickly went back to work, spraying paint thinner across the stylized WW adorning its right side and rinsing it off. As they performed this simple act, it felt as though they were expunging the vehicle's identity, peeling away its very soul... There was no question to those that beheld the reborn vehicles: there was something that felt fundamentally... different about them. A chill aura surrounded them, and it felt almost as though the great steel machines had become something more and less at the same time. Even the other pilots seemed a bit unnerved; instead of placid vehicles, they seemed like gargantuan, slumbering beasts, just waiting to come alive and dive into pursuit of their prey. The engineers shuddered silently, but the twenty four soldiers seemed unfazed by the chill aura filling the base. Their eyes were haunted and empty holes, emanating the same evil promise as an open grave. Next, it was time for the soldiers to be reborn...

Several Hours Later, International Waters

The inky silhouette of the Capricorn danced across the choppy waves below, scything through the rising water with an ease and grace that did not come naturally to aircraft. But then again, a Capricorn was no ordinary aircraft: more akin to a large, sleek ship than an airplane, it's nonetheless massive frame showed no fear of the ocean's wrath. A rogue wave, some thirty feet in height, loomed before the vessel, and it dove headlong into, shredding through the currents with its hybrid engines and erupting from the other side unscathed. It bore down on the deepest available shore site in Oehiton, blasting through the salty air unerringly towards it's target: The Oehiton capital of Vik, placed so confidently upon their coastline like a crown jewel. A flash of lightning illuminated the Latin words adorning her flank: "Silent enim leges inter arma", or "Laws are silent in times of war". No truer words existed for the nightmare with the beast's belly, as the hapless citizens would soon discover. The Capricorn sighted land, and the order was given by the sharkish pilot. Throttle decreased, and the craft dropped from its cruising altitude to mere feet above the water as its wings began making use of the ground effect. Radar would find locating the craft nearly impossible in spite of its size, both due to the ground effect and the heavy profiling work done on the craft to reduce its radar cross-section. The beach drew into sight; the scope showed it was mostly abandoned, likely due to the wicked thunderstorm off the coast. However, there was a nearby highway that would likely result in quite a few inquisitive individuals confused about the 124 meter long craft rocketing towards them at one hundred miles per hour... They wouldn't be confused for long, however.

The craft slammed into the beach, kicking up tons of sand as it landed; the massive frontal bay dropped, and a pair of massive IFVs rolled out of the craft, coal-black and armed to the teeth. Immediately after them, a deadly-looking helicopter was rolled out on a small platform and took off in mere moments after tasting open air, envying the gunmetal sky. The treaded IFVs swiftly rolled down the main boulevard of the city, directly towards the capital building; their air support took off towards a nearby structure overlooking the Capital Building. The agile predator hovered over the roof, kicking fast ropes out as five armored mercenaries descended, weapons drawn. Breaching charges were placed on the roof door, and in moments they were inside, moving towards outward facing windows; any that encountered them would tell nary a soul, for their first move was to scour the floor for any potential witnesses, and liquidate them. Armed with light carbines and shotguns, they were well-suited to the task as well. Afterwards, the team split into two groups; the first set up a pair of anti-materiel rifles, and a single sniper rifle, while the second set about sweeping the five floors below them, before returning slowly to the top floor, booby-trapping the elevators and stairs all the way back. Any troops attempting to enter from below would have a difficult time of it, to be certain. The traps were clever and brutal: anti-personnel mines placed inside of the elevator cars facing the doors; ultra-fine razor wire was strung at neck height across the stair cases; and worst of all, nerve gas canisters were planted at the tops of the stairwells... but not just any ordinary nerve gas. The stuff they had brought along was a refined format of the infamous Novichok agent, designed to eat through the conventional protective gear of NATO forces. While specialized suits could still avoid exposure, the first responders wouldn't be so lucky. Several blocks away, the helicopter debarked an additional five troopers, who repeated the process in a second building before heading off to the capital building to supports the IFVs.

By this time, word had spread of an incoming attack; panicked phone calls to the police cut short by automatic gunfire, reports of black armored vehicles rolling through the streets of Vik, all played their part in establishing an aura of panic in the city. The president,Ansgar, was swiftly evacuated from his office, and wrapped in a lightly armored cardigan and a kevlar vest; his secret service made their way to the rooftop helicopter pad, where his personal chopper was being prepped... but that plan was swiftly shut down by a hideous belching noise from above. The presidential helicopter jerked and contorted bizarrely as several dozen kinetic penetrator rounds gnawed through it, fired from the gun of the inky black hunter-killer above. The Oehitonian President was shoved to the ground and dragged backwards by his guards as the KP shells marched towards the entrance of the structure they'd just exited, perforating the building with knitting needle-sized rounds. From below, a series of massive explosion rocked the structure as the IFVs, now parked in the courtyard of the building, opened up with their 50mm cannons, annihilating the small guard post at the front of the building and mulching the above-ground motor pool. The second vehicle swiftly banked its turret towards the nearby parking garage, likely accessible by an underground walkway; such ambitions would be denied, as a pair of ATGMs streaked towards the structure, smashing two load-bearing columns with shaped warheads. It wasn't enough to level the garage, but it certainly ruined several levels, and collapsed the second floor into the first, clogging the paths with debris and flaming concrete. The IFVs dropped their gangways, disgorging sixteen additional black-armored mercenaries into the burning structure. Their faces were obscured entirely by black-mirrored helmets and respirator gear, and two of them seemed to be carrying large duffel bags. Splitting into teams of four, the mercenaries began to sweep the building, eliminating resistance and taking hostages. Two of the teams made their way down to the maintenance corridors below the primary structure, seeking out the gas mains connection the building to the city, as well as the primary load-bearing areas of the structure. As the sappers worked, the mercenaries above too weren't idle. Their underbarrel laser designators highlighted targets for the snipers across the street, and soon 14.7mm rounds were smashing through windows and drywall with ease.

The helicopter continued circling the building, peppering it with rocket strikes and KP rounds; anything the snipers couldn't reach, the helicopter could. The police response was sluggish due to the extremely rapid nature of the attack; the military was called in immediately, but scrambling such a response took time... time that they didn't have. The Oehiton equivalent of a SWAT team was being prepped, and as many policemen as could be spared surrounded the presidential palace, firing futilely at the heavily armored fighting vehicles; pistol rounds slapped into the titanium-ceramic armor, barely chipping the paint, while rifle rounds ricocheted off dangerously. A single missile managed to launch towards the vehicles, but their immensely powerful GOLIATH active protection suite terminated it safely away from itself, sending heat and shrapnel coursing through terrified mob of cars and officers. Almost as though angered, the massive turret turned away from the building, instead aligning with the policemen firing on it. 40 mm grenades rapidly began cracking into the cars and officers, sending bodies flying and turning the blockade into twisted metal. Even the police APCs surrounding the area became easy game for the massive cannon, rapidly transforming a symbol of order and strength into a leaking nightmare of jagged, holed steel.
Their individual mission complete, the sapper team finished planting it's charges and moved up to assist the other teams with seizing the palace. Several shotgun-wielding guards had managed to stall the other teams on inner stairwells, where the walls were too thick for even anti-materiel rounds to pierce. Even fragmentation grenades had failed to flush the guards from their cover... Luckily, sappers were experts at getting into, out of, or through whatever happened to be in their way. With several loud blasts rendering cover a weaker and weaker prospective, the other teams were glad to have them back as well, and retreated promptly dragging the wounded. A soft clink was the only warning the shotgunners had of their impending doom, before they spotted the oddly shaped grenade at their feet; the initial blast was more of a puff than anything, but what followed was far more devastating. A small scale thermobaric detonation rapidly turned the tide, and soon the sappers had confirmed an additional seven kills. Most of them had been mercy kills, as the intense overpressure created by such a weapon often turned foes inside out.

Breaching the upper level at last, the final guards were mown down like wheat before the elite mercenaries. President Ansgar, now alone and mostly defenseless, remained in his safe room, the heavy steel door secured against intrusion. Several cursory taps revealed that it was impenetrable with their current weaponry, but cracking the safe had never been their plan. A small USB dongle had been connected to the mainframe located deeper in the building, and its purpose now became clear, as the safe room's door received the all-clear signal. Slowly, agonizingly, the bolts fired and released, the door's safety pulling away inch by hellish inch. Outside, the mercenaries waited, grinning broadly beneath their masks. In their hands were not guns, but long, razor sharp knives, and a length of rope. The president quivered, terrified, as the mercenaries moved to lay their hands upon him...

Outside the Presidential Compound

The IFVs continued their vigil, gunning down anything that came close. Close to twenty minutes had passed, and that meant that the military would be on scene in no time. The mulched remains of a SWAT team lay mere meters from the now-flaming van they had attempted to evacuate, and the splintered wreckage of a news helicopter had adorned the streets with burning jet fuel. However, the signal came that the mission had been accomplished in the form of a shattering window. The bound and gutted body of the president shattered through the highest window in the building, the noose around his neck pulling tight as he reached the rope's length with a loud crack. The large kiosk sign out in front of the building that frequently announced rulings of the state, the date and time, or stock prices now read, "President Ansgar has Been Impeached by a Jury of His Peers. Armin Jory for President 2016." With the final stroke completed, the mercenaries withdrew, their work complete. The front of the building was rather devoid of opposition, though much wreckage adorned their path. Leaving was always easier than arriving, and they made it back to the IFVs effortlessly. Further away, the helicopter circled back to pick up its crew complement; They knew to extract to the roof once they saw the signal, and they were waiting when the helicopter arrived. However, things were about to get far more complicated: radar on the Capricorn had picked up numerous fast-moving aircraft bound for the capital, and that meant extraction would be much more difficult. There wouldn't be time to pack the helicopter up, which meant that it had to land... roughly. As the IFVs plowed through the wreckage below, a number of army gunships appeared on their screens, bearing down on them from the north-east. The vehicle commander calmly ranged them, then pressed the detonator in his hand. Cratering charges planted throughout the compound, along with C-4 on the gas main, and a much larger thermobaric device went off simultaneously, transforming the compound into an enormous, rapidly expanding fireball. The surprised helicopter crews didn't have time to pull up, and were caught up in the tugging blast wave of the explosion, yanked from the sky as if by an invisible hand. The IFVs finally made it back to the Capricorn, its massive engines already warming up for take-off. They drove into the massive craft, and immediately took cover as the helicopter, rotors shearing off as it smashed home, landed inside. It was smoldering a bit, but several crew members with fire extinguishers took care of the blaze before it grew. The rear hatch ground shut, the seconds agonizingly long as it did, and then the massive vessel jerked, slipping off the beach and back onto the water. The storm had only intensified during the raid, and into the teeth of the storm the Capricorn set its bearing. The engines howled like the damned souls of an army, and away it flew.

Mere minutes later, the military's jets streaked onto the scene. They were met with only the black ocean's waves, and the horrific sight of the capital in flames.

[Albaie]

Imperial Open Council Chambers
Arthyr Palace
Dubrack Rock

" The lands of the now deceased Earl Richard Glassport will pass to his paternal second cousin the now Earl William Elfdell while his wealth will pass to his maternal first cousin Sir Robert Linhill. " Cried Duke Alexander Smarkin rising from his dais in his role as the Marshall of the Imperial High Open Council. At the end of the judgement the Council quickly erupted into chatter as men from all sides discussed the result, the Emperor's Men congratulating each other on being able to secure one of their members as a new member of the council, while the Noble Men managed to compensate themselves with knowing their man had managed to secure finances but the Commoners looked desolate knowing they had again failed to secure the land for state housing. The Emperor was now looking to bring up a new piece of policy and rose from his own dais seated even higher up above the Marshall where he could see the whole council and put up a hand to bring the council to a silence which quickly occurred.

" Gentlemen of the Imperium I bring before you a very serious issue currently occurring in the country of Oehiton. After failed elections the country has been plunged into turmoil and war has spread throughout it's northern portion which has unfortunately flowed over the border into the neighboring Cardulan. In the turmoil there has been vicious persecution against Christians throughout the area and Cardulans have been left stranded cut off from their faith and their Queen by these invaders. " The Emperor began his speech before allowing for the men to reply.
" How can we let this crisis continue. How can we let fellow believers suffer and sit by and do nothing. " Cried Duke Edward Vertbell one of the most prominent of the Emperor's Men.
" Because we are not international policemen and murder is a sin by the laws of those you so want to protect. " Earl Robert Hedgebank's, a Commoner, bitter rebutal cut through the almost silence of the hall and quickly the tension rose as men of all three main parties screamed abuse.
" Quiet Quiet His Most Catholic Majesty wishes to talk. " Smarkin roared smashing his ceremonial mace against the desk until the room once more fell to quiet and the Emperor rose again.
" I do not propose war at this stage or even sending military aid but instead I say we issue a declaration that unless the Christians are left alone we will be forced to send in our forces to reestablish law and assist the innocents of the region. I am sure none of you can stand by and let this genocide continue with no intervention. " The Emperor gave his second half of his speech and his last remark cut through the room and Hedgebank snarled at the attack on his honour but otherwise let it pass.
" All those in favour of the Emperor's motion say aye. " Smarkin ordered and from the assembled lords came a roar of approval. " All those against the Emperor's motion say nay. " Smarkin ordered again and the lords sat in an awkward silence including Hedgebank and his supporters who stayed silent throughout not going along with or against the motion. " The Emperor's motion is passed and shall be henceforth written out by his own Imperial Majesty. "

The
Imperial Government
Department of Foreign Relations

To the Government of Oehiton

In the Imperium we have received news that in your nation people of Christian denominations are being not just discriminated against but even killed because of their faith. In the Imperium we not only see this as a breach of common law but as a personal attack on our own glorious Imperium. We order that all behaviour of this nature must cease immediate and if we do not hear of not only the government of your nation apologising and compensating the people affected by these actions we will be forced to send a military force to ensure that this most barbaric and dishonourable of practices ceases.

From the desk of
Lord High Envoy Duke Edward Dubrack Dubracksson Lord High Minister For Foreign Affairs
His Most Catholic Majesty Emperor Michael II of the Albaie Imperium

[Paginista]

(Subtitle: The panther's first company posing with Mauzer in the front posing in a hidden base somewhere in the Renaborg region.)

A car with two passangers and a driver are driving down a country road somewhere in the Renaborg region of Oehiton. One man is in old Paginistian issue combat fatigues. The other is in a suit his normal arm band of the Flag of Paginista not on for this occasion. Several trucks follow. A border patrol was bribed and the other killed. As the roads wind up a mountian the man in the fatigues speaks.

"Are you sure its a good thing we're arming and helping these 'Panthers of Mauzer?'. We aren't exactly a Christian friendly nation ourselves." He says in a quiet tone

"Herr colonel." the suited man replies straitening his sleeves "This has been planned in advance. Your job is to help these folk and thus Paginista. You will teach them some of our more limited battle tactics. You are helping them from time to time when it is too critical or slow but for the most part you're helping them with logistics. If they just go crazy with the three pocket Howitzers we're giving them and the Platoon of Paginistian Army regulars then they will blow their chances at actually doing what we need to do."

"I know. But why not just send them tanks and bombers? Thats what they need really. Not old surplus improvised vehicles." the Colonel looks at his phone. He just got a text

"We don't want to give the international community the thought of our Involvement. This will do. From what I hear from the Marshal some of our UMS allies are going to strike at this filthy country's president soon." The man looks at the driver and gets out his gun handing it to the Colonel simply nodding. "And anyways we got more supplies coming"

"I just got word from agent 32 that there has been a battle in the capital of this shit hole. I assume this is the work of our mutual allies?"

"I have no idea" says the man as the car pulls up to an improvised checkpoint. Several heavily armed men walk up to the driver and ask for papers. The suited man in the back gives the driver three slips of paper to be given to the guards. One guard takes them and runs up the hill to a building. After about fifteen minutes a messanger comes back telling the guards to let the convoy through.

Entering the compound of the Panthers even at night men are training. Several cars and busses are in make shift or repaired workshops being converted into improvised armoured vehicles. A few men are even working on an old two seater aircraft. As the convoy stops outside of the main base building all of the men get out save for the car's driver. The man the whole group is named after: Mauzer walks up to the Colonel and the Suited man.

"Greetings Herr Mauzer. I am the Paginistian Representative, please if you may, would you be able to refer to me as 31?. I am here with what we promised. A platoon of paginistian troops, three pocket howitzers and their ammunition and an advisor, Colonel kervic. He will primarily help with your group's logistics and if the need rises will be able to take command of a battle if it goes bad. We will try out best to make often and plentiful ammunition and medical supply runs to help with your cause." the suited man says handing Mauzer several files "And remember. These men have no names outside of the ones you assign them. Unfortunately i must leave in a few minutes. I wish you all good luck, and I will stay in contact" says the man as he opens the driver door and lets the driver out. The driver takes out his pistol and says "Serve the chairman in life and death" before biting down on a cyanide pill and shooting himself in the head. The suited man drives off back towards cardulan

[Opplandia]

The naval battle-group that had once been sent to defend Cardulan when they were attacked and which ever since has been patrolling the waters off Cardulan´s coast, has recently been called into acion again, this time in an offensive role. The four Anubis-class Arsenal-ships are now underway to Oehiton, escorted by the half of the destroyers nd one of the Patfinder-class cruisers of the original Task Force-C, the remaining ships stayed near Cardulan to provide further protection.

---

Aboard the cruiser 'Adenauer'
1730 standard time
Course: 095
Speed: 30

"Sir, we are closing-in on our destination; current distance to the coast is 850 Kilometers." said a young operator in the Combat Direction Center of the Missile-Cruiser 'Adenauer'. "The Long-Range Cruise Missiles on the Arsenal-ships are on Alert and ready to recieve the Data about the designated targets. Further, we transmitted the authentification-codes for our Tactical Data Link to the planes of the allied forces." On the ships bridge, four decks above the CDC; the Commander of the Adenauer, Captain Johannes Mueller, recieves the message. He cant help but grin with pride, when he thinks about that he of all high-ranking Officers of Force-C was chosen to lead this attack. "Thanks Fredericks" said the Commander over the ships intercom "make sure that all men are on their stations, so we can operate with highest efficiency as soon as we recieve the target-coordinates from our allies." "Roger that Sir, we will set all ships to hightened readiness." The Captain just gave a satisfied grunt, knowing that soon on his command thousands of ppl would die.

[Cardulan]

This is a public announcement of the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs

First of all, we wish to use this opportunity to than The Imperium of Albaie for their willingness to intervene in this humanitarian crisis. We are deeply shocked by the recent developments in Oehiton. President Ansgar has been a ruthless dictator throughout his reign; Regardless of that, we condemn his gruesome murder by the communist forces. His death once again shows the limits and dangers of out of control republicanism. With no clear line of succession the president's death leaves Oehiton without a leader. We fully support the polite requests issued by the Lord High Envoy Duke Edward Dubrack Dubracksson, furthermore we request you to get your affairs in order and appoint a delegation which is ready to negotiate a peaceful solution of this conflict. The Royal Government will neither recognise a communist government in Oehiton, nor will there be any negotiations with communists. Despite their recent display of strength by Jory's forces we are well aware that his support is limited to the Asendal area. We ask the communist forces to lay down their arms and refrain from further acts of terrorism. While we still seek a peaceful solution we need to inform you that we have moved several armoured and mechanised units to the border to deal with further intrusions.

Baron Anarion V of Londer, Royal Minister of Foreign Affairs

[Dogs of War]

Rain was pouring down on the outskirts of Renaborg this morning when men in rag-tag uniforms, wearing balaclavas and blue yellow and red armbands jumped from their trucks and attacked the local broadcasting station. After a brief fire fight which left several men from all sides laying dead in the streets the rebels hoisted the royal banner of Cardulan and announced the following message:

The assassination of president Ansgar came with a heavy price for the Christian population of the entire Fjordland province. In defiance of the numeric and technical superiority of the aggressor S.C.A.R. volunteers fought heroic battles against the invaders. Our losses have been severe and our volunteers have been pushed back at all fronts. To cut our losses, the army staff has ordered the retreat of the Army of Resistance into the mountains.

With the assassination of their leader by the communists, the regime has come under intense pressure. To show the world that they still have the power to exercise some violence on the citizens of Oehiton they have decided to make an example of the northern Christians. We have come under additional attacks from drug cartels which frequently attack Christian districts of Renabord. We have been able to repel badly coordinated attacks which are made up off random bombings and indiscriminate shootings of civilians by gang members but we still have no means of dealing with regular tank units.

The worse is the bombing of civilians and villages occupied by the Resistance Army. Thousands have died when the Oehiton air force bombed the St. Agatha Hospital, a privately owned hospital financed by donations from Cardulan and other Christian nations. Hundreds have died in the attack and many more are still missing.


St. Agatha Hospital in southern Fjordland

We ask our friends and brothers around the globe to help our people. We need weapons to defend the Christians in Haugemil and Renaborg. We need more weapons to arm militias in Asendal to fight against the communists and the government. Cardulan must open her borders to citizens fleeing Oehiton, the world must recognize the Panther Guards as a legitimate force. We need heavy weapons to deal with tanks and helicopters and we need a no fly zone in northern Oehiton.

We ask the world to act now or it might be too late.

[The Aspari Syndicate]

Mr. Renard Sarraf surveyed the news as he cross-indexed his stocks; things were going well for his business, but the second quarter was coming up a bit short on capital. He'd placed an order for a substantial quantity of materiel, which was likely a contributing factor to the brief but substantial dip, though it was also the remedy. However, something else soon caught his eye: the recent reports of border skirmishes in Cardulan seemed to be blossoming into a full-blown civil war. The articles shone like lights from heaven, and he instantly set to work, his fingers drawing together words and figures, all directed to the noble Panther Guards. His smile only grew as he wrote...

To the Panther Guards of Oehiton...

Greetings. My name is Renard Sarraf, and I represent a certain renowned organization, made famous by ensuring that men like you have the tools they need to do their jobs. While many will question the legitimacy of your organization, and quail over whether it is "socially responsible" to choose a side, I am in the uniquely enviable position of being beyond such petty quandries. Rest assured, I have done my research and have found the other parties in this conflict tragically wanting of justification and purpose..
All but yours. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I inform you that your organization will be receiving my aid in your struggle. Of course, my help is not the sort that can be given freely: I need to eat too, after all. However, my particular set of talents will enable you to efficiently sidestep the annoying process of begging the international community for legitimacy. I can provide your forces with weapons, armor, ammunition, and vehicles, as well as less illicit items such as medical supplies, food, and spare parts. All you need to do is let me know what it is you need. If I recall correctly, in your message to the publIc you stated that heavy armor was required; In this too, I can assist you. I've recently accrued a number of old model tanks that I've been carefully upgunning and otherwise improving. For an introductory price of 70,000 per unit, I can supply you with swift, powerful battle tanks that will prove tremendously beneficial to your efforts. I look forward to hearing back from your organization soon, and I will be arriving with a full complement of materiel within the week. Enclosed is an encrypted communication array that should assist you in contacting me; I will be ambition l awaiting your call.

Perennially yours,

The Merchant of Menace

[Albaie]

Imperial Open Council Chambers
Arthyr Palace
Dubrack Rock

The Imperial Open Council sat in complete silence as each member looked at the Emperor who was walking through the chambers towards his seat flanked on both sides by his Knight's of The Body. As the Emperor passed Smarkin, he stopped and talked to the Marshall of the Open Council, passing him a note as they talked. The Emperor then resumed his journey to his seat climbing up the stairs to his dais.
" Council members will stand for His Most Catholic Majesty The Emperor Michael II of the Imperium of Albaie and her Assorted Colonies. " Cried the Imperial Lord Herald Sir Richard Sternt who shouted above the fanfare of the pipes and trumpets of the Emperor's retinue. As the fanfare of pipes and trumpets continued the council men stood to their feet each one giving off a Dubrack salute towards the Emperor who returned the sign as he watched over them with a restless eye. The Emperor sat and almost instantly so did the assembled lords with the fan fare coming to an end as all eyes turned towards Smarkin.
" In the name of the Emperor as his most leal subject and Imperial Marshall of the Imperial High Open Council, I open this session of the Imperial High Open Council. " Smarkin began standing on his dais so all could see him. " Under orders from the Imperial Throne I have been instructed to read you this message from the Southern Cardulan Army of Resistance and remind you all of the motion we passed only a few days ago in relation to the same issue. " Smarkin began the formal business of the day reading out the S.C.A.R proclamation from earlier in the day to the gathered nobles. As Smarkin finished the speech the Emperor rose from his throne.
" As I remember we sent an order to cease the persecution of Christians in that country. " The Emperor began his speech to the crowd. The nobles responded baying for the blood of the government of Oehiton. " We said that unless genocide was ended that we would be forced to send military support to the Christians oppressed inside these territories. " The Emperor continued. " And so before this Council today I ask that we launch the Imperial Albaie Peacekeeping Force made up of the 1st Imperial Expeditionary Force. This force will be sent to try and help the civilians of the region and their deployment is not a proclamation of war and we will be trying to work in accordance with the Cardulans to bring peace and order to the region. If my forces come under attack they may be forced to enter into military engagements. " The Emperor finished his speech and looked down on the nobles gathered below him many of them clapping.
" War monger. " Came the cry of Earl Hedgebank cutting through the applause for the Emperor's actions.
" This is not war but trying to save innocent lives. " The Emperor's reply came back almost within a second.
" You only want to wage more and take more lives. " Hedgebank replied again but with little support even some of his own men trying to distance themselves from him.
" Enough enough you try and stain the Emperor's honour one more time and I shall have the guards remove you. " Smarkin shouted bashing his mace on his desk before the Emperor could reply and both sat down before the wrath of the Marshall of the Council. " Now all those in favour of the Peacekeeping Mission say aye. " Smarkin said and a roar of approval washed over the chamber " And all those not in favour of the Peacekeeping Mission say nay. " Smarking added and this time there came a smattering of nays from the direction of Hedgebank but it was not enough for the Marshall to call an official count. " The Imperial Albaie Peacekeeping Force is now passed and put into the hands of the Emperor Michael and Lord Imperial to command. " Smarkin finished and the Emperor rose from his throne to walk out as did the Closed Cabinet led by the Lord Imperial from their position in front of the Marshall's Dais.

The
Imperial Albaie
Peacekeeping Force Command

To the Cardulan Government and the Oehiton Government

Following the reluctance to stop the discrimination of Christians in Oehiton and in fact increase in these actions after our proclamation we have been forced to take action to return law and order to the region. In this instance the Imperial Albaie Peacekeeping Force has been established to bring law and order back to the region. In this capacity we ask that the Cardulan government provide us a rear base in their nation from which we can provide support to the affected region and warn the Oehiton's that any attack on our own forces or on civilians will be met with force. We ask that the Cardulans give us a location where we can land our forces and from there move onto the border and establish our presence to bring support to the region. This is not a declaration of war on any parties but instead an insistence that all sides work towards peace and unity in these troubled days.

3 Brigades of 10,000 Foot Infantry a mortar with every 100 1 jeep between 5
2 brigade of 5,000 Marines with 2 mortars per 100 men 1 Jeep per 5 men 1 boat per 5 men
2 brigade of 5,000 Horseman
1 brigade of tank 1,000 men 5 men in a tank 100 Anti Infantry Tanks 100 Anti Tank Tanks
Logistics Corps
2,000 from the Doctors Corps ( Not including those attached to other regiments)
5,000 from the Nurses Corps ( Not including those attached to other regiments)
10,000 from the Imperial Messenger Corps
5,000 of the Imperial Engineer Corps and their equipment includes artillery
20,000 of the Imperial Transport Corps and there equipment and transport
All the Horses required for the army and their helpers

70 fighters one airmen for a plane
70 bombers two airmen for a plane
145 planes for carriers 3 airmen for a plane

5 Carriers
50 destroyers
15 frigates
15 cruisers
15 minesweepers
15 mine layers
25 submarines

From the desks of
The Imperial High Command Armed Forces Joint Chiefs
Duke Mark Swyat Eternal Admiral of the Imperial Navy
Lord High Archduke Edward Wistark Marshall of the High Imperial Royal Army
Count Oliver Planest Air Marshall
On behalf of
Lord Imperial Michael Deberen Imperial Commander of the Imperial Albaie Peacekeeping Force
His Most Catholic Majesty Emperor Michael II of the Albaie Imperium

[Paginista]

Mr. Renard Sarraf surveyed the news as he cross-indexed his stocks; things were going well for his business, but the second quarter was coming up a bit short on capital. He'd placed an order for a substantial quantity of materiel, which was likely a contributing factor to the brief but substantial dip, though it was also the remedy. However, something else soon caught his eye: the recent reports of border skirmishes in Cardulan seemed to be blossoming into a full-blown civil war. The articles shone like lights from heaven, and he instantly set to work, his fingers drawing together words and figures, all directed to the noble Panther Guards. His smile only grew as he wrote...

To the Panther Guards of Oehiton...

Greetings. My name is Renard Sarraf, and I represent a certain renowned organization, made famous by ensuring that men like you have the tools they need to do their jobs. While many will question the legitimacy of your organization, and quail over whether it is "socially responsible" to choose a side, I am in the uniquely enviable position of being beyond such petty quandries. Rest assured, I have done my research and have found the other parties in this conflict tragically wanting of justification and purpose..
All but yours. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that I inform you that your organization will be receiving my aid in your struggle. Of course, my help is not the sort that can be given freely: I need to eat too, after all. However, my particular set of talents will enable you to efficiently sidestep the annoying process of begging the international community for legitimacy. I can provide your forces with weapons, armor, ammunition, and vehicles, as well as less illicit items such as medical supplies, food, and spare parts. All you need to do is let me know what it is you need. If I recall correctly, in your message to the publIc you stated that heavy armor was required; In this too, I can assist you. I've recently accrued a number of old model tanks that I've been carefully upgunning and otherwise improving. For an introductory price of 70,000 per unit, I can supply you with swift, powerful battle tanks that will prove tremendously beneficial to your efforts. I look forward to hearing back from your organization soon, and I will be arriving with a full complement of materiel within the week. Enclosed is an encrypted communication array that should assist you in contacting me; I will be ambition l awaiting your call.

Perennially yours,

The Merchant of Menace

(Subtitle: A captured M-60PB with twin recoilless rifles belonging to the 'Panthers of Mauzer' seen outside of a Renoborg town spearheading the first official Panther's advance)

Encryption level: ULTRA
From: Agent 31.
Agency: Paginistian Paramilitary wing
To: Renard Sarraf

Greetings. I am Agent 31 of the Paginisitian support mission for the Panthers of Mauzer Paramilitary group. I was relayed your message to the Panthers by my liaison officer and strategic advisor to the Panthers. As an interest in Paginistian investment we would be interested in your cooperation in arming the Panthers including the mentioned battle tanks. This is with the consent of Mauzer himself. And so we would like to purchase several of these tanks outright plus crews to help train the Panthers. We would prefer we discuss terms on secure soil to prevent unwanted parties being involved

-31

The Panthers begin their first attack in the early hours of the morning. Several armoured cars and old army surplus APC's create a column of armour supporting an infantry advance into the town of Kilebern. As they enter the town troops start entering houses and drag the Pagan population (11% of the town) out to a farmers field as their houses are looted and burned. The panther's also storm the town hall and from the balcony looking onto the town center unveil the panther's flag



The local police don't even attempt to stop the heavily armed men as they secure the town. The Paginistian regulars who accompany them begin to fortify important buildings and help some of the townspeople who volunteer understand what they're signing up for.

From the town's TV relay tower they start playing propoganda music, some genuine footage from the storming of the town some from similar groups

Mauzer himself is watching from the Panther's light aircraft.

When the clock strikes 7AM shots are heard from the farmers field. The people who rush to the feild see a trench full of the former Pagan Population save for the children who have been taken to the church to be converted and cared for by members of the community.

All in all the early morning attack is seen as a tactical success no matter how small. Land is gained and now the Panthers have made their move there is little doubt more men will flock to the organisation

[Cardulan]

In the early hours of this morning thousands of exhausted Christians tried to reach the border crossings near Lonn Dear, Tarbad and Mirion. All of them were starving and freezing and many died before they could reach Cardulan. Many of the refugees told stories about biker gangs attacking them and stealing their last belongings, they arrived in Cardulan with nothing but the clothes on their skin. Even though Cardulan was overwhelmed by the amount of people fleeing the escalating conflict in Oehiton, all of the Christians were welcomed to Cardulan like subjects of the Queen, returning to their homeland. Many found accommodation with families in the border towns others were send to facilities of Cardulan's "Patriotic Front" militia.

The CPF was mobilised all along the Riverland province to help deal with the refugee crises.

To:The Imperial High Command Armed Forces Joint Chiefs
From:The Royal Ministry of War

Your Excellencies,

we are delighted to accept your generous offer in these times of need. If you troops arrive by ship we suggest the port of Suduri if you want to air lift your men feel free to land directly in the capital Tarbad. You do not need to bring your own horses. The Royal Cavalry will provide your soldiers with horses which will most likely meet your standards. If possible the Queen would like to personally inspect the Horse Brigades. You are free to pick the border crossings along the river Hoarwell which you think are best suited for your undertaking.

Furthermore we would like to award the St. Gabriel's Cross to His Most Catholic Majesty Emperor Michael II of the Albaie Imperium for his acts which lead to the strengthening the friendship between the people of Albaie and the people of Cardulan.

Attached to this message you will find a map of Cardulan.

Lord Argond XXIII
Royal Minister of War

[Albaie]

To:The Imperial High Command Armed Forces Joint Chiefs
From:The Royal Ministry of War

Your Excellencies,

we are delighted to accept your generous offer in these times of need. If you troops arrive by ship we suggest the port of Suduri if you want to air lift your men feel free to land directly in the capital Tarbad. You do not need to bring your own horses. The Royal Cavalry will provide your soldiers with horses which will most likely meet your standards. If possible the Queen would like to personally inspect the Horse Brigades. You are free to pick the border crossings along the river Hoarwell which you think are best suited for your undertaking.

Furthermore we would like to award the St. Gabriel's Cross to His Most Catholic Majesty Emperor Michael II of the Albaie Imperium for his acts which lead to the strengthening the friendship between the people of Albaie and the people of Cardulan.

(Image)

Attached to this message you will find a map of Cardulan.

Lord Argond XXIII
Royal Minister of War

The
Imperial Albaie
Peacekeeping Force Command

To: The Royal Ministry of War
From: The Imperial High Command Armed Forces Joint Chiefs

We in the Imperium thank you first and foremost for being so quick and so generous in your response to our request. We will land our troops in Suduri and cross at the most suitable of the river crossings. We in the Imperium ask you to send us the information on which crossing would be the best so we can move our armoured troops especially over the border as quick as possible to be more quick to help those in the turmoil hit areas. The offer of horses is much appreciated but after consultation with our Officer Corps many would like to bring their own horses but we would like to request that horses are provided to our Logistical Corps and enlisted men of the Cavalry Brigades. The Queen is most welcome to inspect the Cavalry Brigades and if you wish they may be seen after they have landed in Suduri or could travel to your capital for inspection before advancing to the border.

The Emperor is most grateful for the offer of a St. Gabriel's Cross and will proudly wear it alongside his other assorted awards. In thanks for the award the Emperor would like to return the offer and offer the Queen a Knighthood of The Red Cloak in recognition for all she has done to not only aid the humanitarian crisis currently unfolding but also to advancing Albaie-Calduran relations.

Medals of the Knightood

The Red Cloak the award is named after that every recipient receives.

From the desks of
The Imperial High Command Armed Forces Joint Chiefs
Duke Mark Swyat Eternal Admiral of the Imperial Navy
Lord High Archduke Edward Wistark Marshall of the High Imperial Royal Army
Count Oliver Planest Air Marshall
On behalf of
Lord Imperial Michael Deberen Imperial Commander of the Imperial Albaie Peacekeeping Force
His Most Catholic Majesty Emperor Michael II of the Albaie Imperium

[Paginista]

(Subtitle: A Panthers of Mauzer volunteer on a Pickup truck with food and medical supplies for fleeing Christians)

As the first Panther Guard assault began several pick up trucks from the Panther Guards began to move close to the borders with cardulan. Whenever they would find a group of refugees they would stop to offer food and water and hand out recruitment pamphlets for the Panther Guards. Although in reality the supplies are megar for the time the Panther Guards and Mauzer hope it will come to help them in future


RECRUITMENT PAMPHLET:

CHRISTIANS

You have been OPRESSED for years by a ROUGE and HATEFUL nation that KILLS all who do not submit to their GODS.

People like these CRIMINALS are the reason for our woes even as our BROTHERS from CARDULAN are unable to do anything.
Joining the Panther Guards will SECURE you and your families safety.

Join the PANTHERS and secure our rights as sons and daughters of Cardulan

[Opplandia]

Aboard the Cruiser 'Adenauer'
1945
Course: 080
Speed: 25

"Sir, we are recieving coordinates of designated targets; it seems like the affairs are becoming more and more hostile" said a blonde woman, working on one of the large consols of the cruisers CDC, directing her words to Fredericks. The dark command-center was buzzing with quiet activity, the ppl around going through their routines like professionals. "Alright, process the Data and then transmit them to the Arsenal-ships, so their targeting devices know what to hit" was Fredericks reply. He kept his look fixed onto the Screen of his workstation, on which the ready signals of the ships in this little force were being displayed. Soon enough the quiet effectiveness would be replaced with the hectic activity of combat.

[Republic of Vectors]

"To profitable business!" The dark skinned man replied, thrusting a polished bronze wine glass into the air.
"Indeed so." The agent replied, raising his own glass to meet the lip of the other cup. Both men withdrew their cups and downed the contents hastily, and went their separate ways.


One hundred and Twelve minutes earlier

Three charcoal grey SUVs and a same coloured utility van rolled to a stop at a rickety gate. In front of them, barely visible in the late evening darkness, a man dressed in black, wielding an expensive looking assault rifle had his hand extended to signal a stop. The gate lie in between two rundown multi-storey brick buildings, and the occupants of the vehicles were able to use thermal monoculars to identify a half dozen snipers manning several windows. "Comforting." Muttered one of the occupants. Moments after halting the vehicles, two men, five feet apart, approached the lead vehicle driver window and conversed with the driver. Code words were exchanged, and the rusted gate was muscled inwards. As the vehicles started rolling again, the thirty armed Vectorian secret agents shifted in their seats, very ready for a possible ambush. However the four hundred meter drive was uneventful. A mass of ten men holding a variety of weapons were bunched around a small two story building in the compound, and that was where the vehicles stopped. One of the guards entered the building, and two minutes later, reemerged with three other men. Two of them obviously guards.

As he stood in the entrance, the vehicle doors opened, and twelve men in fancy suits piled out, hands hovering near their variety of weapons. One man from the lead SUV approached the drug cartel leader and extended his hand for a handshake. The olive skinned, moustached man with greasy brown hair took the hand and warily shook it. "Come inside, you say we have lots to discuss," the cartel boss said smoothly.

"It is not very often that we are offered services by anyone. Especially a foreign government." It was nearly a hundred minutes into the meeting, that was a hundred long minutes, in uncomfortable heat with two strangers sitting at a dusty wooden desk in a poorly furnished room. "But I will agree with you. This war is very bad for business. Several clients of my dealers, and dealers themselves, as well as countless of our smugglers have been killed by this violence. The funny thing is only half were from military units. Desperate people and greedy bastards snubbed out the other half."
"Well," the negotiation agent replied "we wont directly stop the war, but we will have huge impacts on its results. We just need to work alongside your men, use your peoples intelligence, use a few of your resources and facilities, and the problem the government talked to you about the other day will be dealt with." With that last sentence, cartel boss Diego Sanderas passed a puzzled look on his face as he figured how the agents knew that information.
"Okay," the man said. "Consider the Vectorians employed. You already know your mission; Kill them all. Savagely. But smartly. It cant be trace back to any of us." Diego sipped at his red wine, his fourth glass in the last hour, it was starting to show. The cartel boss had to take more time to think about his answers, and his movements were becoming exaggerated.
"Dont worry. We are professionals. Just think of the money you're going to make from this." The agent leaned back in his chair. "The government pay for the job done, and a third of the loot collected. Five percent to you personally. Everyone wins!" Diego stared at the agents milion dollar smile for a few moments, then nodded his head.
"To profitable business!" The dark skinned man replied, thrusting his polished bronze wine glass into the air.
"Indeed so." The agent replied, raising his own glass to meet the lip of the other cup. Both men withdrew their cups and downed the contents hastily, and went their separate ways.

[Alonir]

" The situation is deteriorating rapidly the incompetence of that Oehiton government is to blame for this madness" Premier Augustus said in an annoyed tone

"This is appalling sir the Christian populace in Oehiton is facing horrid prosecution, Criminal organizations are running rampant in the country and an armed insurrection is now in full swing. Oehiton is tearing itself apart, we must do something." Minister of Foreign Affairs Artyom Sukov uttered darkly as he browsed the more disturbing images coming out of the region including the bombed hospital.

"I suppose we can send our support for Christians factions but we'll have to be careful about this Alonir is not a Christian nation and openly showing our supporters for the rebel parties can cause backlash here." Augustus warned

From the office of the Premier and Lord Protector of The Socialist Hegemony of Alonir
To: The Royal Carldulan Government
We here in Alonir have been withy this tragedy for quite some time many are appalled by the violent acts being committed inside the Oehiton territories and along your borders. We herby condemn what remains of the incompetent Oehiton government and the bands of cutthroats and dissident that it has foolishly allowed to run rampant. Our nation while having a sizable Christian population is not Christian, our government makes a point at distancing itself form any religion. However this practice is to be impartial we strongly believe that anyone should be able to practice any religion without persecution.Therefore on behalf of the Socialist Hegemony of Alonir I would like to extend a helping hand to Cardulan and the freedom fighting Christian community. Should you accept we shall be sending humanitarian aid, such as medicine food and aid workers to help relieve the your stresses in administering aid to refugees.It is also our wish to help you in your goal to secure your borders, therefore we would ask that you allow Alonirian troops to be stationed alongside your own to assist in fighting the growing power of the criminal enterprises that wish to spread into Cardulan. We would also like to inform you that we will be helping the rebel factions that seek to rid themselves of oppression

Respectfully,
Dain Augustus

From The Office of the Alonirian Ministry of Defense
To: Kristoffer Rovlund of S.C.A.R, Mauzer Ljubic of The New Young Cardulan Guard
It is our aim to start providing military support to your groups as soon as possible as I compose this missive The Alonirian Military Council has begun preparations to send a capable force to help you in your fight. When our forces arrive it would be most helpful and most efficient if your resistance groups can feed us information such as crucial intelligence on the locations of targets or enemy troop movements. We also request that you not hesitate to let us know if you require any sort of equipment to continue your fight.

Respectfully,
Steven Hackett

[Caracasus]

Commander Elect Keynes looked up from the bridge of The Persephone. The small destroyer escort would stay behind, in international waters as The Persephone, a Caracasusian Freighter and five others like her headed for Oehiton. She had heard many things about Oehiton. The nation, it appeared, was bordering on collapse; whilst it appeared to still produce enough food to theoretically feed its population, the near-collapse of vital infrastructure following various disasters of all kinds. Keynes never cared much for politics or religion, beyond her democratic duties to vote in referendums she preferred to deal with the facts at hand.

The freighters carried much-needed medical and food supplies. Caracasus aimed to achieve humanitarian objectives on two levels. A base would be set up, providing temporary accommodation, clean food and drinking water in addition to medical care. Further, long term goals would be the establishment of wells, suitable irrigation projects and farmland development, if required.

The spot picked for the central camp was located a good distance from the front lines, and specifically chosen to be close enough to the worst hit areas for refugees to safely travel to. Large trucks carrying supplies began construction, a fence and watchtowers were constructed first, allowing a detachment of Caracasusian peacekeeping troops to guard for raiders, bandits and other types. Caracasusian thought was that any actor powerful enough not to be deterred by a detachment of armed guards would probably recognise the stupidity of attacking a refugee camp (in theory anyway).

The rain lashed down throughout the first two days, as the camp was set up. Large containers of supplies were placed, and an electronic processing system, ready to record each refugee's name, previous home and medical history was finally implemented. Commander Keynes conducted a radio broadcast, informing any troops in the area of the presence of a humanitarian aid camp.

Keynes looked out at the ugly, yet functional camp. She sighed, Caracasusians had never really invested much in terms of aesthetics in their designs. The rain had stopped, at last and the ground smelt of freshly-turned soil. Her officers and personnel were busying themselves constructing the temporary shelters or preparing water well drills. Something told her that her mission to Cardulan would prove challenging and interesting in equal measure.

[Republic of Vectors]

The Vectorian secret agents, part of the Darkness Company, were by no means regular soldiers. Soldiers always had a chance to spread classified information when they left the forces after their contract expired. Darkness Company members were locked in for life. Leaving the corp would mean death. Because of their missions, and the special requirements, there were not many secret agents. This was going to be their seventy fifth mission, something to celebrate after its completion. Twenty five hundred men and women boarded commercial flights to Cardulan and Oehiton to prepare for their operations.




"Onward and 'ho!" A senior cartel member declared inside the long, unmarked Uhaul type van. The roll up door shot up and ten men stormed from the rear. The quiet street, that particular Sunday morning, got an air of activity as the men surrounded an older building. One old lady across the street happened to be peering outside at the time, and saw the men surround the building and chain the doors shut. The old lady slowly formulated what was happening in her head, but her age and physical condition did not grant her insight as to what happened next. Fire bombs flew through the stained glass windows and the men ignited their flamethrowers, torching the small town catholic church down to the ground. Anyone who escaped was silenced with a suppressed burst of a Vectorian supplied fully automatic machine pistol. Burning the building took ten minutes, by which time the local police force had tried to stop the assault, only to have their efforts met with a storm of gunfire and fire bombs. After the building was nothing but a smouldering ruin, as directed by Vectorian personnel, they opened a manhole cover and disappeared into the sewers.



In an unimportant nation far far away from both Vectors and Oehiton, a warehouse lay in a lazy seafront port area. Inside this particular warehouse, were seven genius people manning their computers, and two armed secret agents. The warehouse itself had dozens of rows of shelves, upon which nine thousand computer towers stood, connected to the seven main computers as bots. These expert hackers were Vectorian born and raised, and now they would perform a simple task, that their location would not draw attention as a relation to the events happening across the world. With a few keystrokes, nearly every poorly secured church network in Oehiton was hacked, and the registration files were stolen. Names, addresses, number of occupants. Almost every religious member of the Christian minority was identified.


A geological survey drone was puttering around the Oehiton landscape. This helicopter drone was a bluish tint of grey, and had a live feed camera relaying what it saw back to the operators. The news of a refugee camp, and the subsequent radio broadcast to the military spread like wildfire. It was not long before the infamous Oehiton cartels decide they did not want company. The geological drone flew lazily through the air towards the general location of the new camp. It was not long before an outbound truck started its journey, to which the drone started following. On the ground, an operator flipped a switch and the screen changed to a pair of carefully coordinated crosshairs. The built in .308 semi automatic rifle was meticulously sighted in at long ranges, although each shot would violently throw off the drone, resulting in a time consuming target re-aquisition. The laser rangefinder read just under 650 yards. The large truck rumbled down the street, and the drone accelerated to get a view of the front windshield. It matched the trucks speed at a 45 degree angle in relation to the truck, and in under a second, the first armour piercing .308 was fired, and five seconds later, a second. Six seconds after that the third bullet was discharged. The drone dished ten rounds of .308 armour piercing ammunition into the front windshield and the roof at a sharp downwards angle. The drone loitered around, although empty on ammunition to observe the results of its sudden, uncalled for attack on the humanitarian aid.

[Paginista]

(Subtitle: A Panthers convoy on route to the next target in government held territory)

The day opened with Mauzer being given a list of new recruits. Several hundred from the town and from the escaping columns of refugees further back. A fine force was being set up. He would leave training to a squad of Paginistian troops to help bring these recruits up to speed. Plans the previous night had already been drawn up with advice by the colonel taken to heart. The next town was five kilometres inside government held territory. It would be no doubt risky especially given how thin the corridor would be if the government put up a fight. However it was needed to leave an imprint on the Pagan population that the Panthers are serious. Meanwhile one of Mauzer's lieutenants is half way to meeting the command of the SCAR and establish an alliance.

By 12:30 the convoy was on the move again however the Paginistians were left behind to help with training and defence building.

Coming up on the town of Kirlenstien the Panthers spot a small group of government soldiers. Some of the Panther's with binoculars could see a flood of Pagans fleeing through the other side of town. Reguardless as the Panthers approach the government soldiers get ready to fight. But they are both outnumbered and out gunned and when they do open fire the Panther's fire back three times harder, secure in their armoured vehicles. The government troops were not. And those who didn't flee were cut down. Another town wiped of resistance. One scout car with quad 50.cal machine guns on its rear raced through town and began firing on the tail end of the Pagans inflicting several casualties.

The convoy lets some men off to secure the town and continues on. Their objective was simple. Keep pushing till Smoluca or major army resistance is found and dig in.

[Dogs of War]

To: The Alonirian Ministry of Defense

Dear Mr Hackett,

Your help is much needed at this moment. We are on a retreat with the enemy at our heels. We need your support and we need it now. We do not control any part of the coast at this moment we suggest you talk to the Panther Guard about an invasion. If they manage to liberate the area around Hamarheim they are your best choice.

To defend ourselves we need every type of weapon available. We need small arms to equip our volunteers, we need anti-tank and anti-aircraft weapons to be able to resist the government troops and most of all we need modern communication equipment.

For Queen and Fatherland!

K. Rovlund, Southern Cardulan

To: Mauzer Ljubic

Dearest brother,

You have done right. The Good Book tells us: when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them; then you must utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, and show no mercy to them.

Not only did you safe thousands of lives today, you also fed the heathens a good dose of their own medicine. The Kilebern Offensive could not have come at a better timing. You have relieved the western front as more and more government troops have ended their pursuit and have turned west to retake Kilebern.

Don’t stop the offensive! For Queen and Fatherland!

K. Rovlund, Southern Cardulan

The night was dark and rainy when groups of armed men arrived at the homes of three officials of the Njord Bank, the largest banking group of Oehiton. They stormed the houses and held their families at gunpoint. While the women and children were moved to an unknown location the men were ordered to report for work as normal.

The men followed their instructions and gave entry to volunteers of the South Cardulan Army of Resistance. When on the premises of the Orkfjell cash storage facility the volunteers engaged and killed all the guards present.

The volunteers of the S.C.A.R. succeeded in liberating millions of Crowns intended for the distribution to automated teller machines across the country, along with large quantities of foreign currencies.

The hostages have been released after the operation.

[Paginista]

To: Mauzer Ljubic

Dearest brother,

You have done right. The Good Book tells us: when the Lord your God gives them over to you, and you defeat them; then you must utterly destroy them; you shall make no covenant with them, and show no mercy to them.

Not only did you safe thousands of lives today, you also fed the heathens a good dose of their own medicine. The Kilebern Offensive could not have come at a better timing. You have relieved the western front as more and more government troops have ended their pursuit and have turned west to retake Kilebern.

Don’t stop the offensive! For Queen and Fatherland!

K. Rovlund, Southern Cardulan

From: MauzerLjubic
We thank you for your praises brother, I can say that we hope we are able to do this. So far we are pushing the heretical government to engage us to help draw men into our ranks. We are currently hoping that we can form a strategic and diplomatic alliance with eachother so we may better fight for Christ our lord. We have heard however that you are in need of some anti-tank weapons and we will be happy to offer six M-60PB armoured personel carriers with twin recoiless rifle attachments to them in exchange for manpower. The base we are operating out of has several old army tanks however we also need engineers to get them back up and running again so if your boys are able to help we will be glad to part with half of them once they're operational.

-yours in life and death: Mauzer

[Dogs of War]

From: MauzerLjubic
We thank you for your praises brother, I can say that we hope we are able to do this. So far we are pushing the heretical government to engage us to help draw men into our ranks. We are currently hoping that we can form a strategic and diplomatic alliance with eachother so we may better fight for Christ our lord. We have heard however that you are in need of some anti-tank weapons and we will be happy to offer six M-60PB armoured personel carriers with twin recoiless rifle attachments to them in exchange for manpower. The base we are operating out of has several old army tanks however we also need engineers to get them back up and running again so if your boys are able to help we will be glad to part with half of them once they're operational.

-yours in life and death: Mauzer

To: Mauzer Ljubic
Dearest Brother,

we fully agree to an alliance. We will be perfectly united in mind and thought. Right now we are too far away to pick up the vehicles and they are of better use in your offensive. We will send the men you requested to the refugee camp set up by Caracasus, they will only carry light weapons to avoid suspicion. They will pose as refugees and wait for your men to pick them up.

K. Rovlund, Southern Cardulan

Dozens of men approached the refugee camp set up by Caracasus. The men arrived on foot and had been separated from their families. Most of them were between 20 and 40 and came dressed in weather resistant gear. Some were wounded and some sick, all of them were suffering from malnutrition. To them the camp was their only hope of survival. According to their passports they did not belong to the Christian population but their homes had been destroyed by the fighting.