Fatherland. (PMT/GD/ATTN Mokastana)

[United World Order]

[OOC: This thread is to be meant for general updates on the recently declared 'war' between UWO and Mokastana. Other participants involved In Character with the rivalry between the two are also welcomed to post theirs as well. This is open as well to the members of Greater Dienstad.

OOC Thread.]

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Die Amt für Auswärtige Angelegenheiten von Vereinigte Weltordnung

To: Whoever it concerns within the Peoples Unified Federation of Mokastana.
Subject: Declaration of War, cease and desist in Castille de Italia and Castleclose.

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For too long now has the People's Unified Federation of Mokastana continuously attempted to undermine the soviergenity of the Ordenite fatherland and it's other territories in the region of Dienstad. What has occurred recently in the National Socialist State of Castille has now been the final straw in our patience with the socialist agitators and Mokan warlords. The Reich can no longer stand for the actions of Mokastana and it's military that are attempting a full course invasion of a key Ordenite ally in the region. Therefore to our displeasure and mostly to the Mokan's own delight, the Fourth Reich of the United World Order hereby issues a declaration of war on the entirety of the People's Unified Federation including Mokastana it's self. The Reich also demands the cease and desist of the Mokan Armed Forces currently engaging in hostilities with the National Socialist State. The Reich is very much open to putting a quick end to these formal hostilities if the Peoples Unified Federation and Mokastana are able to stand for their crimes against the Reich and countless others in Dienstad, monetary compensation would also be in order along with a sincere apology by it's President, Henry Milano. The Reich would also accept peace if Mokastana's most well known narcotics trafficker and arms dealer, Antonio Montana and his family were to surrender themselves into Ordenite custody to stand trial for their involvement in the breach of sovereignty of the Reich and countless counts of conspiracy to commit terrorism. We hope that Mokastana and it's politicians come to their senses soon and realize this is a fight they cannot win and won't win if they do see fit to see this war through to it's end.

Sincerely signed,
Valentin Voelker, Reich Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Rupprecht Strobl, Reich Minister of Defense.

[Morrdh]

OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE OF HER EXCELLENCY'S MORRIDANE GOVERNMENT

RE: DECLARATION OF WAR

In response to the recent Declaration of War upon the Commonwealth's ally of the People's Unified Federation of Mokastana the Commonwealth of Morrdh hereby declares it own Declaration of War on the Fourth Reich of the United World Order, thus a state of hostilities now exists between the two States.

The Commonwealth will now commit itself to driving out Ordenite occupation forces from the former Red Star Union and from South Panooly. In addition we will strive to ensure that the Ordenite Regime is brought to account for its actions and crimes against humanity as well as the disarming of the Ordenite military complex.

Edmund Vermillion,
Prime Minister,
Commonwealth of Morrdh.

[Mokastana]

Office of Presiding Senator
Jose Vincent (People's Party)
Capital Building, Mokastana City, The Islands
People's Unified Federation


Once the room was swept for bugs and the door secured, Presiding Senator Jose Vincent finally let loose his frustration in the form of kicking his waste basket across the room. Senator Esteban Takeniwa remained silent across the desk from him, waiting for his compatriot to collect his nerves. The Hispanic Senator was from the Islands, as were many influential politicians. Luckily Parliament and the Senate were far more diverse, but clearly leadership was still largely an islander thing.

“I can't believe it! That fucking bastard! He knew this would happen! He knew! We can't back down now!”

“Jose, we can still fight this, but now is not the time to strike?”

“Of course we can't strike now, but with the Ordernites declaring war our charges will just be a Damn puppet show! If they even stick! The fucking socialists love the Guy! Not only did he defeat the Cartels, publicly anyways, he is now the champion against the Fascists! We can't take him down during a war!”

“We can, and we will if we must. Democracy must prevail, regardless of the cost.”

Jose Vincent took a deep breath and stopped pacing, his nerves finally calming after a chance to let loose after leading the vote in favor of a war they didn't expect. Even worse, Jose knew his hands were tied, to be anything less than fully in support of the war with the Fascists was political suicide. Which meant it would be that much harder to bring charges against POTF(President Of The Federation) Milano.

“Given my resounding speech today, next week is going to cost me votes at home, but it must be done. Damn bastard has half this government in his pocket.”

Senator Esteban Takeniwa responded: “The drug wars didn't hurt his credibility at all.”

Senator Takeniwa was from Aqua Anu, who, despite their new Queen, had elected many Socialists to Parliament and the Senate after the SWA troop surge. That move cost Takeniwa’s party countless seats and influence in Aqua Anu. Luckily the rise of the Royalists Party was giving the Liberals more chances at alliances. Perhaps this little coup could discredit the Socialists even more.

“True. Well, we're fucked, but we need to do this, and soon…”

Jose looked down at his notes and began reading aloud:

“Though I voted in favor of the state of war between our Federation and the Fascists powers that be, we cannot forget that this war was started when President of The Federation Henry Milano used his influence to begin military actions against Castille De Italia without a declaration of War. While Emergency Powers gifted to the President of the Federation do allow the President to deploy military forces to ensure the defense and protection of the Federation, offensive actions, such as the missile attacks on Antietam, or the attacks on Castillian bases in Castleclose, require a Declaration of War by the Senate, with approval from Parliament. This is to prevent a single person from deciding the fate of our Federated Nations.”

“Sounds like a good start.”

“Well, it's going to be my head, or his. Best case scenario is that we get a passing vote of ‘No Confidence’ and the SWP makes him Party Leader while he goes down in history as one of the Greatest Presidents we've had. Maybe someone will look back on us and recognize the good we did.”

Senator Esteban Takeniwa merely nodded, knowing what was at stake.





Security Council Meeting Room
Presidential Palace
Mokastana City, The Islands
People's Unified Federation

“Mr. President, the situation in Castille is our biggest concern, 7th and 5th Armies are deployed, with half of 8th and the 11th being ready to deploy.”

“Naval assets are working around the clock to ensure our domination of the Sea of Tranquility and secure the waters between Mokastana and Belmotin. The National Socialists’ Navy didn't recover very well from the last war and we have removed most of their offensive ability.
In regards to Ordernite naval threats, the Kingdom of Imbrinium has offered to host our naval assets. With the Morridane declaration, we may be able to cooperate with New Garrack military assets to secure the Northern routes against Ordernite harassment.”

“ and if they go North outside of the region? Or south?”

“Southern attacks can either pass Lamoni, who we are cooperating with, the Malgravian Straight and our naval base there, or up towards Lyran waters which we patrol. North outside the region is more difficult to defend against, but the Morridanes have been playing up north for awhile now, and the Imbrinium navy has as well. Both were hunting each other a few years ago, but both are willing to keep an eye out for us.”

“Alright, good. And what of our offensive abilities against the Ordernites?”

“9th Army is in Zvezda. They claim the locals are progressing well, five million troops in the UESS Army are ready to reinforce our combat effectiveness. More importantly, it seems we have reports that military forces from Ikruchystan are launching an attack into Ordernite Kashubia. If that's the case, and we are reinforced from allied nations, we should be able to launch a successful invasion. ”

“Good, I trust you will keep us informed.Now if you'll excuse me gentlemen, Director Fransico and I need to place a call to the Emperor of the Golden Throne, we have a few things to discuss.”

MNN: SPECIAL REPORT!!!
News so short your can't help but read the full story...

TOP STORIES:

WAR! People's Unified Federation declares State of War, Press Release Inside!

After a near unanimous vote, the Senate and Parliament voted to Declare a State of War between The People's Unified Federation and The Fourth Reich of the United World Order. The demands of the Fourth Reich will not be met. Instead, the Federal Military will begin operations against the Ordernite threat.

[The Grand World Order]

Mr. William 'Buckshot' Iverson
Senior Contracting Specialist, Security and Resolutions Department, Geist Solutions, Incorporated
Graznaya, Red Star Union

It was hardly a secret anymore. During, and more visibly, after, the Ordernite invasion of the Red Star Union, the Fascist Federation had been directly involved in the downfall of the RSU. Most international attention revolved around the presence of Orderian special operations teams and later the deployment of regular Federal Army and Federal Guard troops to assist in counter-insurgency operations, but a huge part of this involvement was through companies like Geist Solutions. Geist, the same Geist of the "Big Three" defense contractors that helped pave the way for the Fascists to take over the United Nations. In more recent years, their business model seemed to change from competing with Emorden and Maverick in the weapons industry to private military contracting the world over. Their private forces operated everything from recon teams to nuclear aircraft carriers, though most of their money came from consultation fees with foreign officers and logistics security.

Under the new Grand Commander, the Federation was no longer known for massive invasions and rapid dominance against other world powers. It was still just as active however: sleeker, quieter, and surgical in nature. Grand Commander Athena, a former Special Infantry reconnaissance and intelligence officer, knew that a series of low-profile killings could often accomplish just as much as an army laying waste to a land. That was one reason why they called her Nuestra Señora de la Santa Muerte, after the Mexican folk saint that had become so popular in the GWO; people disappeared or died in ways that sent a message when they tried to challenge the Federation or her directly. Victor, who was known for his brutality on the world stage, never made things nearly as personal.

This wasn't to say that the Federal Armed Forces had gotten out of practice, or that they had been scaled down at all. The opposite was true, and the military had used this time of relative peace to replace weapon systems such as aircraft that had seen combat in a dozen different countries, to update systems that had been neglected due to high operation tempos, and to allow for reassessment of Federal doctrine and strategy. Granted, many of the veterans that made the Federal War Machine legendary had left the service to go on with their lives, but the Federal Armed Forces of today were still led by NCOs and officers who had been around the block plenty.

One of those men was William Iverson, commonly referred to as Bill by his friends, and Buckshot as his callsign. He had served eight years in the Federal Army, five of those years being in the Orderian Special Operations community; two years as a 1st SID Special Infantryman, and three after that as an APS Commando. He'd been in the RSU for a very long time; after his first deployment there during the initial invasion, he was forbidden from returning to the GWO until after he waited in quarantine due to the horrific Blood Fever that had devastated much of the Union. He was certain that his wife would leave him, but she waited- and now he was back here all over again, this time as a senior consultant overseeing virtually all Geist combat operations in the country. This time around, more of his time was spent coordinating with military officers who used to make much, much more than he did as a soldier, but now rarely made three-quarters of what he did, or with any of the myriad private companies from the Fascist world who were seeking to do business in the RSU and needed security professionals to defend against lingering insurgents. The rank of these officers seldom were below Colonel; the Federal Army had roughly 60,000 troops in the RSU, while the Federal Guard had 15,000. Graznaya was the home of Geist's in-country headquarters, which was a brutalist-design office complex in roughly the shape of a pyramid. It was surrounded by a wall, and beyond that, a concrete field providing no cover for an attacker, sectioned off from the rest of the city by a double 15ft chainlink fence with three coils of concertina wire across the top.

Mr. Iverson's office wasn't at the top, and it wasn't afforded a grand view of the city. Nobody who mattered had an office like that. Instead, his office was inside an accredited, lead-lined Classified Materials Center, where his own staffers sat side-by-side with Orderian military intelligence analysts to ensure that the two organizations were on the same page. An email found itself in his account, carrying an Allanean news channel's coverage of Morrdh's declaration. He put on his reading glasses, and watched the clip play, slightly raising his eyebrows as the declaration passed its final vote in Parliament. He began slapping his fingers across his keyboard to respond to the Geist executive who had sent him the clip.

Code: Select all

Well, that's a bit problematic, isn't it? These aren't your typical uppity revolutionaries trying to carve a name out for themselves. They're in our league, and as it stands, there's not enough actual military forces here to stop them. See if you can't find out what the Fed is doing, cause I don't think the UWO is going to shell out what we're charging for an operation this big. I don't even know if we -could- pull something like this off on our own.

Unbeknownst to him, the Federation was definitely planning something.


((OOC: UWO and I established GWO involvement in occupying the RSU quite a while ago, just so you all know.))

[Morrdh]

(OOC: This is meant to take place the first night after the declaration of war)

HES Franklin
Centaur-class commando carrier
250km south-west of Kashubia

Lieutenant Colonel Patrick Wade watched as the men of 57 Commando, Royal Morridane Marines, made their final preparations prior to taking the gigantic lift that would take them up to the Westland Wessex helicopters waiting up on the flight deck. The battalion sized unit was one of nine battalions, including a battalion from the Morridane Army's Parachute Regiment, that made up a division sized force carried aboard six commando carriers like the Franklin and landing ships. Their mission, Op HOOD, had originally been planned during the Mordent Conflict and later revised to be used against the Ordenites as the prospect of war with them drastically increased. When the Ordenites declared war on the Commonwealth's ally of Mokastana, Op HOOD had already been given the greenlight to proceed by Morrdun. The rapid first strike within 24 hours of war being declared was hoped to catch the Ordenites by surprise, though it was acknowledged that Ordenite forces may already be on a war footing and thus on high alert.

Dathel Port, the largest Ordenite naval base in Kashubia, was the force's target. It was a prime opportunity to strike a telling blow against the Ordenite Kreigsmarine and frustrate Ordenite naval efforts round Kashubia. Op HOOD's main objective was fairly simple; "inflict as much damage as possible". There would be no attempt at capture, it was rather destruction that was the goal of the task force. The infantry would be put ashore via landing craft and helicopters and told to run wild, demolition teams were given a list of targets such as fuel tanks and warehouses to blow up. Ordenite vessels were also high up on the list of targets, though anti-ship missiles and naval gunfire would be used against these. Most impressively the Royal Morridane Navy had mustered ten of its Audacious-class carriers, each carrying 14 Buccaneer strike aircraft and 12 Phantom fleet air defence fighters. In addition there were Westland Lynx helicopters scattered throughout the ships of the task force that were armed with missiles, some for anti-ship work whilst others were for supporting the troops once they were ashore.

It was 0116 hours when Wade and the first troop of his men arrived up on the Franklin, they were greeted by the first wave of 14 Buccaneers flying at low level to either side of the ship. These Buccaneers were armed with anti-radar missiles and iron bombs and had been tasked primarily with knocking out as much of the enemy's defence batteries as they could before turning their attention to the rest of the base. The second wave was now being launched with the first of the Phantom fighters, the second lot of Buccaneers carried anti-ship missiles and detailed to deal with the Ordenite carriers that had been confirmed as being in the area by naval intelligence. In the distance one of the other ships could be seen firing their long-range missiles as they moved in to bring their guns to bear, indeed the cruiser HES Tempest had already started engaging an Ordenite carrier that had been spotted close to the task force by a Gannet AEW3 on patrol.

Onboard the Franklin the ship's 16 Westland Wessex helicopters were now starting up as the first of the marines hurried over half-crouched and started boarding them. It was an absolute dim of noise and Wade had to shout to make sure that he was heard over the roar of the helicopters as he gave final orders to some of the lower ranking officers in the Commando. Wade, with his L1A1 SLR slung over his shoulder, clambered onto one of the helicopters before they started to lift off. 57 Commando's orders were to attack the barracks of the Ordenite naval contingent, B company of the parachute battalion would be supporting Wade's men in their attack by helping to encircle the barracks and thus hopefully pin down a large amount of the Ordenite soldiers defending the base. It meant that the men of 57 Commando would be amongst the first to go in and most probably one of the last to leave, though Wade knew that at least some of his men wouldn't be coming back and tried his best to not dwell upon this as the helicopter thundered its way through the night sky.

Some of the base's defences, no doubt alerted by the first Buccaneer attack, had opened up and was firing back.

[Wanderjar]

The Wanderjarian Department of State Security had become aware of the Morridane strike on Dathel Port in Kashubia hours before the Ordernites alerted the attaches. An old Cartagena class submarine converted into a sophisticated intelligence gathering platform had been tracking the Morridane battlegroup from its departure. This was not unusual; Wanderjarian submarines were perpetually parked just beyond Morridane and Mokastanan maritime exclusion zones, intercepting transmissions and relaying them back to the Wanderjarian Navy’s cryptographic intelligence office in Kimberley. While the intention of the Morridanes would not be made clear until the attack had already begun, analysts at the Bureau of Naval Intelligence had a fairly good idea of what they were up to, but not clear enough to pass the information up the chain of command to somebody who could actually do something with it. When the attack began, both at Dathel Port and the Morridane naval strike on an Ordernite carrier, the vindicated analysts passed their reports to their seniors, who in turn relayed the information to the DSS in Bloemfontein.

It was approximately two am when Jakobus Mertens, Director of State Security, phoned the State President. Obviously asleep, State President Blair was awoken by the recipient of the call: a perky little redhead secretary named Isa Best. Groggily, Blair answered the phone with a raspy ‘Yes?’

‘Mr. President,’ Jakobus said, ‘the Morridanes have attacked the Ordernites in Kashubia. The first shots of the war have been fired, sir.’

Sighing, President Blair replied, ‘Thank you. I’ll have Riaan and Paul,’ the Directors of National Defense and Foreign Affairs respectively, ‘join us in thirty minutes to determine our response.’ The President set the phone down and laid back against his pillow for another moment, wiping sleep from his eyes. The room was still dark as he attempted to shuffle out of bed and into more proper clothes. Leaving his private chamber he was greeted by a junior staffer who, saying nothing, gave the President a mug of tea and slipped back away into the always steady morass of people moving about the Presidential Mansion.

Riaan Hoedemaeker was in fact quite awake when he received the call to meet at the President’s mansion. He received word of the incident before the President, and was already preparing to leave his own office. Much quicker than the anticipated thirty minutes, Riaan arrived in less than fifteen prepared to share what information was available. A regiment or possibly larger force had invaded Kashubia, supported by an assault carrier and battlegroup. A relatively small naval force with naval aviation providing air support assisted in the attack, and were attacking Ordernite naval assets in the region. An Ordernite military base had been surrounded and was under siege. Riaan and Jakobus concurred that this was about the extent of their knowledge on what had happened.

‘How long will it take us to deploy a battlegroup to relieve the Ordernites?’ Blair asked.

‘A couple days, the battle itself will be long over before then.’ Riaan said flatly. ‘We could perhaps catch them afterwards, or if they get greedy and try to occupy ground engage and wipe them out. At this point I do not recommend attacking the Morridane territories to our north though we may wish to call up Northern Army Group reserve units just in case they forget that this should remain a regional conflict.’

‘I agree, make it happen. I authorize the deployment of three strike groups and one amphibious assault group. Let’s send the Morridanes a message. The Ordernites may be a frightening lot, but they’ve always had our back unquestioningly so we must return the favor as it were.’

‘Yes, Mr. President,’ both cabinet members said in unison.


***


2nd Battalion, 23rd Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division,
Vryhawe, Wanderjarian Vrijstaat

The Wanderjarian Korps Mariniers, or Marine Corps, was actually significantly larger than a single corps. It consisted of about five corps sized elements spread across Wanderjar proper and the Commonwealth states. I Corps remained headquartered at the joint Naval-Marine base at Vryhawe, which would also serve as the departure point for the relief force destined for Kashubia.

Battalion Sergeant Major Pieter van de Ruyter unconsciously stroked his full mustache as he watched a thousand Marines, carrying all gear and equipment they would need for the upcoming operation, up the gangway and into the landing platform dock. Turning to the battalion commander, Commandant Cornelius Banckert, he said, ‘They look ready, sir.’

‘I should certainly hope so, Sergeant Major,’ Banckert replied giving a sly grin. ‘As hard as you’ve drilled these lads? They should be ready to storm the gates of hell bare handed!’ The Sergeant Major laughed, as did a few Marines within ear shot. Van de Ruyter was known as a stern drillmaster and disciplinarian, as were most Marine senior non-commissioned officers. He was also known as someone with a dry, gallows form of humor as eager to make his Marines laugh as sweat. Sometimes a fatalistic sense of a humor goes much further for morale maintenance than stern, forced stoicism.

‘Sir,’ the Sergeant Major continued, ‘I have this under control. Go ahead and get yourself and the HHC squared away.’ With an exaggerated kicking motion at a platoon sergeant he was mentoring, the Sergeant Major said, ‘I’ll keep these miscreants in line!’ The battalion commander laughed and nodded, lifting a strap from his ruck over his shoulder and holding his ELG rifle by the handle, he also made his way up the gangway.

‘Morning Sergeant Major!’ several junior enlisted Marines said, passing by. Junior Marines were expected to acknowledge the presence of their seniors, usually with a courteous ‘good morning’ or ‘afternoon.’ Seeing the presence of the battalion commander, the Marines knew to not interrupt even if neither were speaking, but afterwards normal protocol resumed and each passing Marine bid the Sergeant Major good morning.

The Sergeant Major was a large man, standing around six foot two and weighing a solid two hundred fifteen pounds. As physically imposing as he was, he made it known that he cared about the men entrusted to him. They were his boys, much more so than even the battalion commander’s. Pieter had fought in many wars around the world for the Wanderjarian republic and the Marine Corps, indeed since the young age of seventeen he had spent more years of his life at war than in peace. As a result, he knew that some of these kids would not be coming home the same, or at all. It was the harsh reality of military life in the service of a global power.

He had done all he could to prepare them beyond just what training they received during boot camp and the School of Infantry. Now, for many of these kids the first time, they would be called upon to test what they had learned against the Morridanes, whose military forces had just concluded a major war. Almost every soldier they were going to fight had years of combat experience which most of these Wanderjarian Marines simply did not have. Pieter van de Ruyter was nervous, not solely for his own safety but for his men’s as well. This was going to be a tough fight. He could only hope they were prepared.

The long line of Marines thinned to its end, and the Sergeant Major slowly took up the rear, barking at the Marines in the back to hustle up and get squared away. He teased one Marine who stumbled on the gangway and took a second to recompose himself that the war would be over before he got inside the troop ship. Ultimately, he funneled his men into the LPD’s compartment where they found berths awaiting them during the couple day journey to Kashubia. The Sergeant Major stepped out into an outdoor walkway, lit a cigarette, and lost himself in his thoughts just as the LPD’s azimuthal pods guided the enormous vessel away from the dock, and joined the rest of the battlegroup.

[United World Order]

250KM south-west of Kashubia,
1st Kashubian Fleet.

The sudden detection of what was identified as Morridane flagged naval ships with most being comprised of Aircraft carriers gave off a urgent sense of worry and danger. Although these Morridane vessels had been previously spotted within 500KM by probing submarines who were in the midst of what was suppose to be a minor reconnaissance patrol on the edges of Kashubian waters was now a full fledged preparation for immediate battle with enemy naval assets. The 1st Kashubian Fleet that were mostly responsible for handling normal day to day operations in their sector of Kashubian waters which was where the Morridanes were now infiltrating for what can only be assumed as a full fledged attack. Kriegsmarine formations in and around Dathel Port and further beyond the port were quite numerous and for good reason with a neighboring Lyras and other possible future threats from neighboring countries. The 2nd Flotilla of the 1st Kashubian fleet basically watched the enemy naval ships creep into Kashubian Republic waters and consequently into Ordenite territory. It wasn't a surprise when the sensors and alarms started ringing when it was known that the enemy vessels had begun firing anti-shipping missiles towards the Fleet and the flotilla. It would also scramble it's naval interceptors that were carried about by their respective aircraft carriers. These naval interceptors would seek out any enemy aircraft and bring it down with medium-ranged anti air missiles, AWAC assets that were intensly monitoring the occurring battle raging just outside of Dathel Port.

Knowing that the fleet was being fired upon by confirmed Morridane navy vessels, the nearest flotilla which was the 2nd, would begin raining down it's own destruction against the Morridanes. From the destroyers to the missile cruisers and even roaming submarine assets from the fleet that had broke off once the firing had begun between the two naval forces. Once targets were identified by the majority of the flotilla's weapon targeting systems, they would begin their salvo with anti-shipping missiles much of them being medium ranged, any submarines that were able to were ordered that the aircraft carriers were recommended targets for their torpedo's. Much of the Morridane salvo and attack by it's naval aircraft capabilities were able to truly do any damage towards the flotilla, much of their missiles were shot out of the sky by the flotilla's CIWS which nearly every ship having them. What naval interceptors scrambled by the flotilla's carriers would also take action against enemy aircraft with medium ranged air to air missiles and it's 20mm nose cannon if it was close enough. Enemy transport ships were also made high priority targets and if spotted would be fired upon by whichever ships of the flotilla encounter them.

In the event any Morridane marines actually made it ashore in what is called Dathel Port which was a major port location for the Kriegsmarine and strategic base location for rotating Heer and or Waffen SS formations. They would be automatically engaged by machine gun nests firing the MG3 machine guns that fires a 7mm mauser round which is still standard caliber for all ground forces. They would also be engaged by actual based soldiers of the Heer and or Waffen SS, both are well trained professional fighting soldiers who may also be veteran units of the RSU war. Morridane marines who make it ashore to Dathel Port may also find themselves engaged by Dathel Port security forces and or the military police present in the port as they would always be deployed where actual soldiers of the Wehrmacht are based. Either are well trained and equipped with automatic submachine guns and semi automatic pistols, possibility of assault rifles as well.

Overall the Morridane quick strike on the majorly strategic to all combat operations in Kashubia was less than effective at causing mayhem for the port and it's occupants. It could be all the well possible that Wehrmacht personnel were killed in the naval assault on the port by the Commenwealth. The actual port it's self sustained minor damages to it's infrastructure, several warehouses suffered caved roofs due to the intensity of falling ground munitions by Morridane buccaneer aircraft. Four stationary land based anti aircraft positions were destroyed by the use of anti-radar missiles although In return some of the Morridane aircraft also suffered losses from anti aircraft emplacements positioned around the port it's self. Also yet to be seen perhaps by Morridane intelligence were that the port was home to several capable S-300 type Anti-shipping missile platforms that were concealed using camoflauge and their storing in underground chambers in favorable positions near the coast where the port is located. Once the positions of the Morridane navy ships was made known did the AShM batteries begin to come out from their hiding spots and being prepared for action. These batteries would be focused target wise on the Morridane aircraft carriers that were carrying the majority of Morridane aircraft, the launchers would fire a single BrahMos capable of going ranges closing in on 300km out from their position, atleast 6 of these AShM platforms existed currently and were firing a single BrahMos anti-ship missile at any Morridane aircraft carriers detected within 300km of the BrahMos anti-shipping missile launcher sites.

Any other damages to the infrastructure were minimal and not in need of important attention, windows at one of the barracks near the fighting between Wehrmacht forces and Morridane marines were blasted out by exploding grenades near by. Bullet holes from being in the crossfire of the engagements between the two forces would be seen along the barracks walls. An additional flotilla from the 1st Kashubian Fleet was also coming on the scene of the naval engagement on-going in the waters around Dathel Port. The Morridane first strike would now look like a suicide mission as the fighting was being won majorly won by the Wehrmacht and the Kriegsmarine, any surviving Morridane aggressors would certainly be allowed to retreat if they did so. The attack however would certainly shake up the Oberkommando des Navy and put the Ordenite Kriegsmarine and Wehrmacht on high alert for enemy formations.

[The Grand World Order]

Captain David R. Arquez
Naval Intelligence Officer, Federal Navy of Our Fascist Federation
Dathel Port

"It's 01, and I'm just getting off work," the Captain sarcastically said with a chuckle to his friend and senior enlisted adviser, Top Petty Officer Ryan Wolfstein. The recent bout of declarations between several GD powers and the UWO, a close ally of the Federation, had been cause for some rather late shifts for the two men and the small detachment of Orderian naval analysts assigned to them, all of whom were used to working six or eight hour shifts; they had been working 13 hour shifts, and alternated between a day crew and night crew in order to provide 24 hour production. The 13th hour was to ensure a smooth turnover with the oncoming shift. Such a small command typically was far below what a Captain rated, but its proximity to Lyras and the level of Ordernite analysts at the base made it a well-respected post.

When the first Buccaneers opened fire on the base, it created more shock than fear in Captain Arquez. Sure, war had just been declared and hostilities were eventually to be expected, but the Captain hardly expected that he'd be caught, unarmed, in his semi-formal "working dress" uniform, complete with a rather impressive stack of ribbons from combat operations across the oceans, in the open as planes attacked this particular base less than 24 hours after the war started. He and TPO Wolfstein made a sprint to the parking complex outside of the intelligence center as explosions shook the earth from elsewhere around the base and the Ordernite air defense systems responded in kind. They knew better than to try and drive away- the enemy aircraft, whatever they were, probably would spot them much easier and think they were a high value target- and figured that a parking garage filled with personal "civilian" vehicles would likely be low on the enemy's priority list. Either way, it provided much more protection than being in the middle of the street.

It had seemed that the bombing stopped or at least slowed. Masked by the sounds of the base alarms, the beating of the Morridane helicopters couldn't be heard by the two Orderian sailors, and they proceeded to head towards their predesignated evac site on foot unaware that there were hostile Marines within the base perimeter. They found out when the sounds of machine guns and smaller explosions started breaking the night air, but they continued towards their safe zone. As they made their way over a collapsed warehouse, a beam of light shined on Captain Arquez, while TPO Wolfstein took cover out of view. Whoever was behind the light stayed silent. The Captain put his hands in the air, somewhat shielding his eyes from the light while shouting out, "Don't shoot! I'm unarmed, I work with the UWO, I'm not-" he was interrupted by two gunshots to his chest, immediately sending him to the floor before the light got closer as the shooter moved forward to confirm who he'd just shot. TPO Wolfstein couldn't distinguish the shooter's nationality from his silhouette, but saw them freeze up when they looked down at the Captain, possibly shocked by his rank or the fact that he was an Orderian- a high-ranking third party or even an allied person who had just been shot, twice. The silhouette walked away, apparently to speak with some others, before returning. TPO Wolfstein watched as the silhouette put a final round into the man he had worked for for the past three years's head, ending his 21-year career as a decorated Orderian Navy Officer and orphaning three children in Uranium Province, GWO North America. He watched it silently, without blinking, and carefully breathed so as to not alarm whoever these people were. He had no way to fight back, and would have to let them pass. He knew he had to survive so that his country would know what really happened.

At the Orderian Navy Barracks, all the sailors had been ordered to don their issued protective equipment, and MI-P57 sidearms were handed out, while 10 sailors were selected for watch, being armed with MI-8A2 rifles in 6.5mm Grendel or ACS-12 automatic assault shotguns. Several cruisers from the base's military police had arrived as well, and would likely do the bulk of the fighting if it reached the barracks, but the Orderian detachment was as ready as it could be, short of sandbagging the whole place and surrounding it with HESCO.

((OOC: Was going to post some additional things going on elsewhere, but currently am very pressed for time))

[Ralkovian Grand Island]

The Official Declaration of the Grand Empire of Ralkovia

In order to protect the sovereignty of the Ralkovian ally The United World Order, and further to protect the World from the intolerable violations of sovereignty and right of expansion from the Dienstandi menace; the Ralkovian Empire hereby declares a state of war existing between The Empire and all those who wish harm upon the UWO. Ralkovia will herein dedicate all available to resources to protect and further the goals of the Orderian nation until such a time that hostilities are terminated by treaty or by the conquest of the enemy parties at large. However, the Ralkovian nation, in respect of not furthering the inflammation and in hoping for the quick surrender or ceasefire will not engage in it's practices of slavery and ethnic cleansing, acknowledging that such practices may harden resistance and destroy chances for reasonable capitulation. Consider the Ralkovian Empire's mercy and justness.

Signed,

Lord Emperor Joshua vi Raskov II

[Morrdh]

Morridane Task Force
Dathel Port
Ordenite-occupied Kashubia

Already being at Action Stations meant that the warships of the Morridane fleet had a slight advantage over their Ordenite counterparts, particularly since the latter had to get combat ready in a hurry. As such the Morridane CIWS and 20mm anti-aircraft autocannons were fully manned and ready when the return Ordenite fire started coming in. A fair number of the Ordenite missiles were dealt with but some still got through and inflicted damage upon the Morridane fleet, the Type 21 frigate HES Aggressor having a spectacular demise after one of its missile magazines was hit and exploded. The Audacious-class carrier HES Dominion was set ablaze when a tank of aviation fuel was ruptured, effectively ending her part in the battle as her crew fought to bring the fires under control. Another Morridane that was forced to disengage was the Tiger-class cruiser HES Tempest after receiving a hit that buckled hull plating and caused flooding on her lower decks and engine room, she also completely lost power making it difficult to stem the flooding as well as making her an easy target for the next missile that locked onto her.

Similarly the Marines took loses as they made their combined air and sea assault on the naval base, a number of helicopters were downed or blown out of sky by a mixture of anti-aircraft batteries and small arms fire. The former became less of a problem as the Marines' air support focused their efforts on destroying these batteries, making things a little easier for further troops to be flown in. Those in the landing craft managed to come in relatively intact, suppressing fire from the .50 machine guns mounted on each craft swept the quayside and the decks of the ships that were moored in the port. Most of the landing crafts disembarked their cargoes onto the quayside, though one company of Marines lost two-thirds of its strength when it disembarked right in front of some MG3 machine gun nests. The rest of the landing crafts headed for some of the moored ships where assault groups of Marines armed with 9mm Sterling SMGs would board with the intention of setting off scuttling charges or the Marines' own demolition charges. Elsewhere demolition teams were fighting their way through to their objectives of some of the base's installations, mainly power substations as well as bridges and dock pumping machinery.

For Lt.Colonel Wade and his mean it had been a fierce firefight from the moment that they reached their LZ, Wade wasn't even sure they would even make until the Westland Wessex landed hard after becoming a flying lead magnet. Over the radio he'd heard that the Parachute company that was suppose to be supporting his men had been forced to land short of their own LZ, in one case the men having to bail out onto the roof of a warehouse as their helicopter came down in flames. Right now Wade and his men were in the cover of a building across from the enemy barracks, there was a near constant snap of fire from the L1A1 SLRs supplemented by a few GPMGs. Occasionally there was the odd grenade going off in addition to Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle fire, the latter had proven useful in taking out some of the enemy MG nests. It had been bloody getting this far and the body count was steadily rising on both sides, Wade had seen some of his men killed outright and dozens more wounded. Eventually the codeword 'chariot' came through over the radio, signalling that it was time for the Marines to begin their withdrawal.

The fighting slackened as the Morridanes started making their withdrawal, in alot of cases it was a fighting retreat as the troops fell back to their extraction points for either helicopters or the landing crafts. Lynx helicopters provided close air support with machine gun and rocket fire, easing the pressure on the Marines as they evacuated wounded and a few prisoners that they had captured. Unfortunately there simply wasn't the time for the Morridanes to recover their dead and so the fallen were left where they'd fallen in battle, likewise there were wounded who had to be left behind and take their chances. There would be others that would be left behind, either because they missed their extractions or there wasn't room for them. These Marines would use their commando training and go to ground, trying to evade capture best they could and living off the land as they would make their way across Ordenite occupied territory. Other Morridane prisoners would mainly be aircrew who'd survived the destruction of their aircraft plus some of the few Morridane sailors that ended up in the water.

Despite their loses the Morridanes would come to consider the raid a marginal success, the demolition teams reached some of their targets and a fair amount of damage had been inflicted. Granted the base would be repaired and its defences strengthened, but that would require Ordenite troops and resources drawn from elsewhere. For now the Morridanes would focus on tending to their wounded, honouring their fallen and interrogating the prisoners that they had captured.

[United World Order]

The Reichskanzlei, Office of the Reichsfuhrer,
Berlina, Germania.

"Herr Fuhrer, As you can see by this map I have displayed here." a spokesperson for the OKM otherwise known as the Supreme Command of the Navy or Kriegsmarine. A small meeting was arranged to discuss the developed grand strategy for the war against the People's Unified Federation of Mokastana which was currently gaining allies while the Reich was mostly on it's own. It's actions overseas in Holy Panooly and what was formerly known as The Red Star Union, were unforgiveable and would not be looked upon favorably within the region. If anything worried the Wehrmacht high command it would be the protection of it's territorial waters and trade routes used most frequently by Ordenite merchants.

"We have begun to activate and deploy further Kriegsmarine assets for the safe guarding of our territorial waters and further our favorable trade routes and sea lanes used most in order to travel to South Panooly and Kashubia. The Kriegsmarine are more than capable of defending our seas and our trade from the enemy assembled before us, failure is not an option." the spokesperson explained to Richtofen who wore reading glasses, adjusting his glasses while looking at the markings made on the map marking numerous Kriegsmarine formations and where they were currently. Since the official declaration of war was announced publicly, the Kriegsmarine would begin what was called 'Operation Trident' which would see much of the Kriegsmarine formations who were quite frankly kept in port and or territorial waters within Germania, the homeland of the Ordenite Reich, deployed away from Germania and towards vital sea lanes and trade routes most used by Ordenite merchant vessels. One of these locations within Dienstad was literally on Germania's doorstep, it was West Mordent, a well known Morridane territorial holding and known for heavy Morridane military activity and humanitarian efforts.

"Operation Trident, Herr Fuhrer will see the Kriegsmarine assets mostly based in Germania, sent abroad to defend our interests within the region. The Morridanes and their holding in West Mordent is now a highly regarded problem to our war efforts, thus far the Kriegsmarine has begun deploying a sizeable formation of it's vessels for 'training maneuvers' within 500KM of the territorial boundary between International waters and West Mordent waters. With this, the Morridanes and what naval assets they possess in the area will be put on notice once the formation is deployed." The spokesperson spoke as Richtofen took in the information provided and was seemingly satisfied about the concern put into West Mordent

It had been a week since Operation Trident had been put into motion and already dozens of Kriegsmarine fleets were deploying across much of Western Central Dienstad. Although despite these numbers, more fleets were being deployed from naval bases and military designated harbors and docks. South Panooly, a major Kriegsmarine hub for it's Dienstadi operations, would see it's fleets dispatched throughout the south of the continent in order to protect it's territorial waters and trade. Kashubia would be no different, It's heavily strategic Dathel Port stands as the hub for Kriegsmarine assets for Kashubia and would see some of it's formations deployed to defend and patrol it's territorial waters. Special interest would also be on Stevid who also declared possibly committing to military operations against the Riech, It's territory known as 'Liberated America' possess two significant sea corridors that fed into the main sea that was also home to the continent referred to as 'Germania' birthplace of the Ordenite Reich of the 20th Century. Kriegsmarine formations would further be allocated to safeguarding any Ordenite trade passing through the possible area of tension between the two powers.

Also part of Operation Trident was the decision to strategically place thousands of sophisticated sea mines along the borders of the territorial waters of Germania, South Panooly and even possibly attempting at some parts of Kashubia. These naval mines would be capable of detecting the water pressure of near by passing ships, however the mines that would be laid were of course remotely controlled and the mine compliment could be armed by a switch from a central controller that would be based in a land orientated base for the Kriegsmarine. This would therefore further give home advantage to the Kriegsmarine as when it's waters felt threatened by any hostile force, the soon to be thousands of sophisticated naval mines would come to tip the tide in favor of the Kriegsmarine.

Somewhere in Western Dienstadi waters,
05:00, 5 HRS concluding Dathel Port raid,
U-219 Attack Submarine, Ordenite Kriegsmarine.

Die See war spiegelglatt.

U-219 captain Oskar did not even know of the now concluded Dathel Port raid yet. Although what he and his crew within their attack submarine deep in the depths of Western Dienstadi waters were going to do would be quite fitting for revenge for their comrades. What was codenamed as 'Operation Trident' which would see the vast amount of Kriegsmarine assets and their respective formations typically docked in Germania or generally on rotation to the more tropical Holy Panooly would be scrambled out into the waters of Dienstad to protect Ordenite trade and waters from the mounting enemies that the Reich would now be in open war with. Although their was a more sinister plot behind the overall strategic move to deploy the majority of Kriegsmarine assets out into Dienstadi waters was also because of revealed shipping records from a Montana INC clerk that was handsomely bribed for the information. Thus even before the war was suppose to be officially declared did the Oberkommando des Navy have access to shipping routes, type of ships being used and departing and arrival times in several ports in Western Dienstad. By the time war was officially declared, elements of the Kriegsmarine in these areas where typical shipping of Montana INC traveled through were put on alert and the same information the OKN had was also distributed down to the various formations of the Kriegsmarine known to possibly pass through these same routes.

Thus was why commonly referred to in the Kriegsmarine as a 'U-Boat' which was a term used highly in the 19th century to describe submarines that would participate in wolf pack style attacks on shipping lanes and other surface vessels was now in the middle of stalking a merchant cargo ship that was on it's way to some destination in Western Dienstad. "Cargo ship is maintaining course, we're well in range of it and are in perfect position to strike now."

"Load tubes one and two, prepare for firing on that ship." Oskar said giving out the crew's orders as the weapons staff began loading two tubes with a single torpedo each. Within several minutes the U-219 was ready to attack it's stalked prey as was directed to be done by their superiors in the OKN. The U-219 was currently facing the broad side of the cargo ship and with the distance between them, a torpedo would be able to reach the ship in a matter of seconds after it was fired. "Ready to fire, Herr Kapitan!"

When the order was given the U-219 released through torpedo tubes, two torpedo's which would head towards their unsuspecting target before doing the damage needed to be done. If the cargo ship was still floating then the U-219 would launch another torpedo to finish it off before retreating back into the depths of the ocean. Operation Trident now a go, Montana Incorporated shipping through much of Western Dienstadi waters would begin to be hunted by Ordenite Kriegsmarine submarines and if needed by actual Kriegsmarine surface vessels, that call however was determined by the head of which ever surface vessel encounters a vessel flagged as Montana Incorporated. Although it would become known that the Ordenite Reich was keen to fight the People's Unified Federation and it's allies by any means necessary.

[Mokastana]

Foreign Ministry Building
Embassy District
Mokastana City, Mokastana
People's Unified Federation
Yesterday

If there was anywhere in the Federal Capital of Mokastana City that could make a Marshite feel like home, it was the Embassy District. Located on the coast, it was was surrounded by a three Meter tall wall over a meter thick. Many of the embassies were well within walking distance of anti-aircraft and anti-ship missile batteries scattered across the city's coastlines. These batteries connected to the Island Defense Grid, protecting not only the Capital, but the Sea of Moka from external threats. 400 soldiers from The Grupo de Defensa de la Embajada, the most elite Special Forces unit in the Federation, acted as security and police for the Embassies. Their armored personnel carriers and ground patrols, both in police and combat uniforms, ensured nothing could enter the District without their approval. Though the growth of international business meant a few smaller embassies had been built outside of the protective walls of the District, many of the older Embassies were still within the protective compound. A secondary wall had been built around the residential areas reserved for embassy personnel, but those homes had wait lists and ridiculous prices. Luckily, the Embassy for the Romani-Mar’si Union was one of these older ones. While others were locked away on floors of the Embassy Towers, the Romani-Mar’si Union was still allowed their own standing structure, and their families still lived within the outer walls.

Beyond the fortress that made up the Embassy District, there was the rest of what was commonly called the International District. To the South, the Salvador Allende School of Medicine, a prestigious medical university that trained only the best future doctors of the Federation and Greater Dienstad. The difficulty of its entrance exams was matched only by the girth of its Federal budget. To the East, the Fegosian Union Stock Exchange and other Union offices. Next to the FUSE, just one four lane road away from the Embassy District's Walls, sat the tall stone white building of the Foreign Ministry. Looking more like a sandstone palace than an office, it overlooked the ocean to the North and the International District to the South.

Foreign Minister Elizabeth Franshaw was grateful that her office overlooked the FUSE rather than the waves of the ocean. For if she had the view the Siesta Room had, she would never get any work done, even with all these staff members in her office. Of course, there was plenty of work to be done. Messages from allies being sent in and forwarded to Parliament and the President, coordinating deals between the military and host countries to expand operations, dealing with the troubled economy since the most recent rash of wars now included the PUF. This was all on top of the normal chaos, including handling the economic fallout from all the previous regional wars. She was still a socialist at heart, but the world operated on currency, and so she had adapted, grudgingly.

“Tomas, I think we're going to need to get some lunch soon, and I really don't feel like the cafeteria today. Can you run down to the Cafe on San Teresa and get us some legitimate Carnitas?”

Socialism or not, a local Cafe still had better food than the bland cafeteria’s “multi cultural” selection.

“Of course Minister, any sides or anything else with it?”

“Just their lunch special, and please, call me Elizabeth.”

Tomas began taking orders from other staff members as well. The Cafe was close by and a popular choice for government workers. Just then, the intercom on her desk went off.

“Minister Franshaw, you have a visitor coming your way, the ambassador from the Romani-Mar’si Union.”

“Send her in.”

The Romani-Mar’si Union was one of the Federation’s more…eccentric allies, if such a thing were possible. Their religious zealotry was unmatched, as was their military and loyalty. Lucky for the Federation, they were allied. Especially given over 10% of the population followed Holy Marshism, making it the largest non-Christian Faith in the Federation.

The door swung open almost immediately and there stood the ambassador or the Romani-Mar’si Union. After the events of The Shift, it was decided that Union needed to send a new representative- one who could speak for the Union while toeing the line inside of the People’s Federation. Samantha Elo C’lour was a perfect choice. Clergy member for fifteen years and superb artillerist who had been wounded terribly in a gas attack, The Shift had given a great degree of youth and vigor back. Youth and vigor being used to further the interest of the Union.

C’lour was a notably powerful speaker due to the depth of faith inherent in every beat of the heart. An honest arbitrator and a kindly sort to those who deserved it, was popular at parties and other gatherings less for her humor and more due to a certain style of old-fashioned up-front diplomacy the Theocracy was famous for. Another incident that was sure to be talked about was about to take place.

“Hail!” she bellowed as she entered, the click clack of her heels at machine gun level as she made a beeline towards her others with a single paper on hand. With a dramatic flair she slammed the paper to the table. As it settled she put her hand out and then pulled a small knife from her breast pocket. First she cut her palm vertically and then horizontally, her hand quickly crimsoning. With a flurry of dramatic intent just as great as before as she slammed the table- her bloody hand directly on the paper, and looked at her fellows.

“By order of the Arch-Bishop, Long May She Call Down The Word! Long May She Condemn the Wicked! By order of the Arch-Bishop, the Union has been called to your defense! Simply ask and we will come in numbers that would darken the skies of every nation and send the earthquakes into submission the power of our march! So it is said!” She pulled her hand off, leaving a bloody hand print deeply ingrained in the paper. She pushed it towards Franshaw.

The paper read simply:

“From The Desk of the Arch-Bishop:

Death to the Slaver!
You have been brought to war by those so far below your station in existence as to make this a war waged by ants.

Death to the Slaver!
You have been insulted by the very prospect of their rotten ideals and false beliefs triumphing over you.

Death to the Slaver!
You are mighty! You are mighty and with many powerful allies!

Death to the Slaver!
We are summoned in our great righteousness to your aid. Simply call upon us and will choke the very SKY with their dead and render them a past nation, a dark note in our collective histories.

Death to the Slaver!
Call upon us if needed and call upon the fury of eons! Call upon the Eternal and the Eternity, the Dead and the Dying! The Living and the Yet-Living! The Power and the Ancient and the Young! Call upon What Is and What Will, What Could and What Was!

Call upon the Union, and call upon Victory! We stand beside you, and shall smite all enemies!

Death to the Slaver!
Death to the Cult!

For the Holy Marsh!
For the Empress!
For the Union!
Death to the Vile Lard!”

By the time this was read, the Ambassador had pulled out a length of gauze from her suit and had turned around, tying it around her bloodied hand as she click-clacked her way out.

As she left, Elizabeth and her staff were left speechless. Careful to handle the paper without touching the fresh blood, Elizabeth could only think to say one thing.

“The Marshites do know how to make an impression.”

Finally collecting her thoughts she began to think, this was clearly a Marshite custom, one that promised a willingness to shed blood for an ally. Though the Natuls of central Mokastana had similar customs, many were no longer practiced, despite the resurgence in ‘old religions’. Either way, she got the message loud and clear.

“Someone get me something to dry this hand print, a fan or heater. Photograph the document, we will send it to Juventud Island and the President and see how they would like to respond. Also, get me an expert on Marshite customs. I want to answer this correctly.” Hopefully without cutting myself… she thought internally. The military would be calling upon their Marshite ally, that was clear enough. They didn’t have the manpower to secure all of Kashubia, and the Marshites were as loyal as they were devout.

It didn't take long, within an hour a courier had arrived at the Embassy for the Romani-Mar’si Union. The message read as follows:

The People's Unified Federation of Mokastana, Wellovia, Aqua Anu and Associated States calls upon Romani-Mar’si Union to join us in battle against the slaver and genocidal threat that is the United World Order. Our first battlefield shall be the lands of the former Red Star Union. Federal forces in theatre are under command of Generalissimo Major Felix Salazar. He requests up to five million soldiers to aide in the liberation of the lands now called Kashubia.

Death to the Vile Lard!

Command and Control Room
Federal Military Command Center
Juventud Island, Mokastana
People's Unified Federation

The CnC room was where every major assert of the Federal Military reported to. From military operations in Space Port Roswell to Federal operations in Indras, everything theatre’s major assets reported to this room. The only exception being the nuclear missile subs(and satellites) and their airborne bomber counterparts. Both were tracked while within domestic territories, but once they were gone, it was MOPAD’s jurisdiction. MOPAD’s command room was a few floors down, but few were cleared for it.

It was after the meeting with the President that Primary Admiral Jesus Consuelo contacted the Command Room to let them know he was coming. The current military leader in charge, Admiral Miguel Juarez, responded with the affirmative and prepared the base. A half hour later the Admiral’s Helicopter arrived and soon he was looking at the map of Greater Dienstad in the Command Room. Every major asset was marked and updated, a large portion of the fleet filled the waters around Castille de Italia, with other fleets scattered around the map. Along the side, key international installations were listed with their general status: ACTIVE, ALERT, or in one particular case, OFFLINE. Each theatre was also assigned a readiness level, with 5 being Peacetime, and 1 being imminent/currently under attack.

NAVAL STATION SUR - BOOTH ISLAND
ACTIVE 4

FORT MOKAN -GREAL
ALERT 3

FORT CARSON - GREAL
ALERT 3

NAVAL STATION AURORA - AHSCA
ACTIVE 4

NAVAL STATION NORTE MAR - CASTILLE DE ITALIA
OFFLINE 1

NAVAL STATION MALGRAVIAN STRAIGHT - MUSSULEBURG
ALERT 3

PUERTO DEL OESTE - LAMONI(INDRAS)
ALERT 3

FORT VERACRUZ - NEW GARRACK
ACTIVE 4

FORT GRAN PANTERA - UNION OF EASTERN STAR SOVIETS
ALERT 2

At the moment, the border between Zvezda and Kashubia was being militarized, the Macabeean peacekeepers were falling back towards the Zvezdan side. The Premier was expected to go live within the hour to announce their entrance into the war. When it did, the Federal Army would march South side by side their Red Army counterparts. The Armed Republic of Ikruchystan was already attacking from the south, the Morridane Navy assaulted from the West, but neither would match the war cries of millions of men from the North.

The Federal Military knew this front would open up again, they just didn't know when. Which is why many of the most advanced weapons in the arsenal were shipped to this front. Particularly the F/A-33 Wolf Stealth Multirole Air Superiority Fighter and the F/A-60 Multi Role Fighter series,both developed in Pharthan. The last war revealed the weakness in Ordernite Aircraft, but the Federation had shown their hand in battle. This was their newest trick to keep the enemy on their toes.

Back home, entire Army sizes units were being mobilized, the 2nd, 11th and 12th Army from Mokastana, 13th and 14th from Wellovia, the 19th Army from Aqua Anu.
However, they would take time to arrive, weeks to months before they would be combat ready in theatre. The rapid response forces would be from Army groups already mobilized and ready for fighting. Two Corps from the Mejican 6th Army and three from Belmotin’s 20th Army. Additional army groups would be mobilized as the war went on, but for now the Army limited it to what the Navy and Air Force could effectively move to the continent so far west. They were getting some aid from the Val Verde’s Military Logistic to get forces into theatre, and for that they were grateful.

“Redeploy the 25th and 42nd Assault Flotilla from Gente Del Agua to Zvezda.”

Federal assets that far west were bare. The Federal Military only had two assault Flotillas and a Marine Flotilla in Holy Marsh/Gente del Agua. They were observing the Gente Del Agua post war anarchy, but the Marine Flotilla could handle that. The bigger guns were needed elsewhere.

“Get in contact with Admiral Fernando, see what he can afford to give up and send to Zvezda. Contact Anuien Command, we need more fleets in Eastern GD. Have Admiral Peron build a task force from East Coast and Wellovian assets. We have a war to win.”


9th Army 1st Corps Command
Forward Operating Base 03
Codename: “Zorya Utrennyaya”
30 kilometres outside of Susol,
Union of Eastern Star Soviets
2200 Hours Local Time

It was time, the moment everyone had been waiting for. The first serious shots between the initial warring parties. Not a raid, not a submarine attack, but a full on assault, just after dusk at approximately 2200 local time. The Federal and Union forces were almost even in strength with their Ordernite counterparts, but just under their numbers. Luckily, terrorists activity and an invasion by Ikruchystan military forces to the South had forced the Ordernites to pull their elite forces off of the Border, while the PUF military moved theirs to the front. Not to discredit the remaining forces, but any drop in skill was a point in favor of reunification. That was the goal of the Union of Eastern Star Soviets, it was the plan the Federation had in place for the Island if this day ever came: Reunify the Red Star Union into one State. It would not be easy, but they had assistance coming, millions of Federal Soldiers were mobilizing to be deployed, a request for a crusade had been sent to the Holy Marsh, allied nations continued to pledge their support by the day. The Ordernites had the upperhand initially, but every day the unified front of Greater Dienstad would bear down on them.

It was not in the Mokan’s best interest to let the other world powers win this war for them, however, so they opened with the method they knew best. A tactic more than likely considered over played by this point, but one that had proved to be effective throughout countless wars. Targets had been marked via satellite, recon balloons, passive sensors, and good old espionage. The front was just over 400 Kilometers from one sea to the other, with the Ordernite positions being just under 200 Kilometers deep. 80,000 Square Kilometers of fortification and war to break through just to get into the heart of Kashubia.

9th Army had three Corps size forces, just over 600,000 men on the border, the Zvezdains had three Army Groups, but due to recovery, they were only 2.3 million strong rather than the 3 million they should have been, but it was still 12 Corps size units ready to attack. The People’s Federal Army was good at the initial Cruise missile strike coordination, a skill practiced far more common than one would expect. Hellions, Hellion IIs, Contrados, and even Kh-55s from the Zvezdan’s stockpiles were launched at over 10,000 marked stationary targets on the enemy fortifications.
Radar Centers, Anti-Aircraft Command and Control Centers, targeting Radar, communication hubs, bunkers, roads, bridges, fuel depots, supply depots all made the list of targets. From the east, the Federal Fleets launched another 1,500 missiles in support of the Armies attack, these Hellions would take the data collected by the Hellions and recon of the initial attack and attempt to take out primary and secondary targets missed by the first wave.

As the crews of hundreds of missile launchers began moving their vehicles to predetermined reload sites, the rest of the attack began. It opened up with Artillery barrages on the front line, aiming for points of defense and suspected minefields. Mokan YA-28s flew in low, with their anti-tank missiles and 50x300mm revolver cannon ready to tear through enemy armor. Ya-42 and F/A-33s joined their Soviet siblings, MIG-29s and Lyran designed Warhawks with the UESS Red Star, in taking off during the missile spam attack, while enemy air defenses were focused on defense. They would be flying in with Tu-95s who were flying in close to begin carping bombing of the front lines of the Ordernite defensive network.

Lastly, the initial charge, LY224 Heavy IFVs, BTR-90s, T-90s, LY4 Wolfhounds, LY10 Bloodhounds and LY9 Dire Wolf Tanks launched a simultaneous attack along the DMZ, but the biggest push was along the Western Shore. Vehicles were blown up by defenders and infantry rode into the front on trucks and IFVs, often disembarking and charging on foot when the tanks began to engage. Smoke, both intentional to mask troop movements and debris from war, blanketed the front. Infantry made contact with their Ordernite counterparts and rifle fire began to decide the fate of the front. Ideally the missile strikes would have confused the Ordernite defenders long enough to allow the Mechanized assaults to get right on top of them before they could organize tough resistance, but this was the first time Mokan Machetes tasted Ordernite blood. The Ordernites, based on their methods of warfare demonstrated in the Red Star Union Civil War, would put up a good fight, but the Mokans and their PUF siblings lived for war, and they had far more experience than one conquest of a collapsed nation. Even the Zvezdians along side them, rearmed with better technologies and equipment charged head first to reclaim their Nation’s honor, to deliver the killing blows that they did not deliver during the first invasion.

High command didn’t expect the attack to break through, but every day the Ordernites were on the defensive, the more forces could be brought into reinforce them.

---

SOVIET STATE MEDIA INTERNATIONAL
PUBLIC BROADCAST
GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE UNION
DANIL ROMANOV

“My fellow Zvezdians, today, the Supreme Soviet Council has decided to enact a state war between the Union of Eastern Star Soviets, and the Fourth Reich of the United World Order. Our Military forces are under mobilization orders and missile attacks are under way on Ordernite positions. We have been given a pledge of support from nations allied to the People's Unified Federation and will begin liberation of the occupied territories soon. It is my hope that through our combined sacrifices, we may once again see a unified Red Star Union. Until then, we are to fight for our motherland, and defend her honor against those that want to enslave her.”

---

[United World Order]

Reich-Kashubian Frontlines, RSU Demarcation Zone,
22:00 HRS, 3rd Heer Army Group.

When the missiles fell suddenly from the other side of the Demarcation line, many in the 3rd Army Group of the Ordenite Army knew what this would mean and had been training for it ever since they arrived on the front. With the amount of missiles that were being fired at Ordenite positions across the entire frontline, hysteria and mass destruction was to be expected as the Ordenite frontline took hard blows from their Mokan-Zvezdian enemy in the initial barrage. Much of what was put up to prevent easy infiltration into the Kashubian side of the DMZ was obliterated by the opening salvo, anti personnel and anti tank mines alike would have been triggered by the exploding missiles and have exploded themselves. Tank traps and even tank ditches would have been lossed in the salvo aswell, torn apart by the missiles too. What fortifications were being manned by the Heer on the frontline, were less now as a significant amount of the defensive structures originally built when the Waffen SS had manned the area were now in shambles or too heavily damaged to be considered safe for use. Of course this meant that Ordenite Army soldiers were also killed in the salvo, many fell during the barrage as the missiles fell and took their toll on the Ordenite Army garrison who were now the frontline against the coming storm from the North. Enemy aircraft were also taking their chances, flying low as they wrecked havoc with their cannons and missiles of their own which would cost them when the FlakPanzer V's which were mobile SPAAG's opened up on the low flying enemy aircraft, which in their numerous passes would some be brought down by devastating 40mm auto cannons and others shot out of the sky by SAMs.

What enemy aircraft did manage to get through would see sections of the Ordenite frontlines bombed again although this time not as many casualties were had as the Army was well aware of what was going on. Within the first ten minutes of the assault, Ordenite Luftwaffe units who were scrambled from airfields and bases would appear on the scene of the on-going battle. Lu-45 Air Supremacy fighters which were manufactured by the Golden Throne along with other aircraft moved in on the DMZ as they would begin engaging any enemy aircraft they could find in hope of relieving pressure off the ground forces below, dog fighting would surely ensue above the battlefield. However, additional aircraft which were primarily close air support oriented swooped into the scene as they begun firing anti tank missiles and letting off their 20mm auto cannons on the advancing enemy. On the ground, enemy artillery began opening up from positions the Ordenite Army had suspected to be artillery emplacements through careful intelligence and reconnaissance efforts to study and dissect the Mokan-Zvezdan frontline. In response to the enemy artillery threat, several Panzerwerfer II MLRS batteries would begin opening up with a salvo of 300mm GLMRS which mean't that these were not dumb rockets but guided rockets, mostly through GPS technology. In the distance the results could be seen with distant violent explosions erupting.

The massed mechanized-armor assault across the Demarcation line by Mokan and Zvezdan ground forces would slam directly into the Ordenite frontlines which in the wake of the initial Mokan surprise barrage with missiles, enemy aircraft and artillery would see the Ordenite Army defend and fight back with ferocious tactics and seemingly shocking aggressiveness. Various armored vehicles that were still combat effective and not seriously damaged or out right destroyed in the beginning phases of the enemy assault would unleash all they had against the Mokans and Zvezdans as they looked to advance southwards. Sturmtiger II's and Sturmpanzer II's would see their effectiveness shown in battle as hardened anti-armor turrets as they fired off round after round at the massed Mokan-Zvezdan mechanized and armor forces. Most of their shots resulted in the destruction of a enemy vehicle, some being destroyed in a ferocious and awe seeing fireball. Something that the Ordenite Army was fairly good at doing and well skilled in was their use of machine gun nests, many of these machine gun nests were positioned all over the frontline in positions that would easily create a 'kill zone' in certain areas of the enemy's advance. MG3 general purpose machine guns which were calibered in 7mm mauser rounds were the weapon of choice for the crafting of this skill. What Mokan and or Zvezdan infantry man would try to charge into Ordenite defenses on foot would surely witness these kill zones come into the defender's favor, men upon men were cut down by the machine gun nests and their kill zones. Some of these machine gun nests would be firing non stop and would need additional infantry to protect them from incoming small arms fire in order for them to cool down the barrel of their machine gun and or reload.

In the wake of the mechanized infantry and armor assault, various mortar positions would also begin opening up on the enemy. 82mm all the way up to 120mm and or even 200mm would rain down upon the enemy in the midst of their advance, the sound of these rounds nearing their intended target would surely dishearten some. To make matters even more challenging for the Mokan-Zvezdan attempted push to try and break through Ordenite lines was their artillery. When the enemy assault was beginning to ship from salvos of missiles to full blown enemy ground forces charging across the Demarcation line, Ordenite artillery positions, numerous in numbers they were would begin homing in on specific areas known to be where advancing enemy forces were located in, these would be identified through 'sectors'. Elephant Self Propelled Howitzers and the various Ordenite manufactured towed howitzers would open up in a furious barrage against the embattled enemy. Panzerwerfer II batteries would also join in on this barrage, although much of their 300mm rockets would be used to target heavy concentrations of enemy forces on either side of the border within it's 640 kilometer range. Despite what the Mokans and Zvezdans had thrown at them in the beginning, the Ordenite Army still had a move it had yet to have played in the resulting battle.

Deep within the surrounding forests somewhat on the edge of the on-going fighting on the frontlines lied what was going to be the counter-attack by the Ordenites on the frontlines. What the Mokans and Zvezdans were set to believe months before was that all of the Waffen SS formations had left, heading further southwards to speed up COIN operations currently on-going in New Impen and Gryazanya. However, a single Waffen SS Armored Corps had been left behind in secret, shielded away from the prying eyes of Mokan and Zvezdan intelligence. The 3rd Armored Corps of the Waffen SS was not alone as the combined strength of what Kashubian Defense Forces formations were also in the area, which numbered near 300,000. These combined forces would be the punch that would send the Mokans and their Zvezdan counter parts back across the demarcation line in shambles and defeat. A single flare was shot up into the sky by the lead Panther II Main Battle Tank's commander which would signal the coming of the counter attack. As the flare shot up into the sky and was soon making it's way down towards the earth, a unnerving several seconds of silence was witnessed across the battlefield before the guns of the Ordenite artillery began firing in unison on the Mokan-Zvezdan threat before them, everything they could muster in a salvo was put into action against the enemy. Furious explosions would ensue as from the forest line came the counter attack, A Waffen SS armored corps mostly consisting of Panther II Main battle tanks, Puma 234 IFV's, variants of the TPz 255 multi-purpose armored vehicle along with a section of Tiger III heavy tanks begun their push forward through Ordenite frontlines and would smash head on into the most likely worn and embattled Mokan and Zvezdan ground forces.

Soon after the Waffen SS Armored Corps begun it's advance into the fierce battle still on-going did the KDF formations following behind now appeared on the battlefield. These KDF formations were considered the most well trained, well equipped and prepared forces in the entire Kashubian Defense Force and would be used to break the will and spirit of the Mokan-Zvezdan advance and assault. It would surely be a shocking development for the Mokans and Zvezdan when they would see Maccabean manufactured Nakil main battle tanks and even more aged models of the Lince Main battle tank along with appropriated Maccabean supplied armored vehicles now charging head long alongside the Waffen SS. The resulting counter-attack by the Waffen SS and KDF would surely regenerate morale among the embattled Ordenite Army soldiers who continued to hold the line as well as they could in the face of their more trained enemy. In the wake of the counter attack, from the air came additional formations of the Ordenite Luftwaffe who would be in support of the counter attack. Lu-45's, close air support aircraft and even flights of B1-Lancer bombers would unleash their firepower upon the enemy as the battle seemingly seemed to change momentum in favor of the Ordenite Wehrmacht.

50KM outside of New Impen, Waffen SS Forward Operating Base 08,
Kashubian Republic, 2400 HRS Local Time.

In the wake of the on-going battle along the Demarcation line, the Waffen SS were in a more heightened alert status then they were originally when Uslan was reported to be at risk by Ikruchystan forces. Colonel Bohenkamp who was in charge of the Waffen SS formation currently prepping for deployment further north were what made up 'FOB 08' which was one of the closest Waffen SS positions near the outskirts of the former capital New Impen. Currently the forward operating base fielded a single field army which was a little over 100,000 men and as expected from the many other Waffen SS formations in Kashubia, they were well mechanized and fielded battle hardened soldiers who had participated in the original RSU war which had preluded the current war they would now see themselves participating in. When the news reached their base of the sudden Mokan-Zvezdan assault on the Demarcation line, much of the men of the Waffen SS were thrilled to be soon seeing action once again although their were those that were not as enthusiastic about it. Many of the men had families in Germania, futures that they wished to see pursued by them until they grew old although now those thoughts would be replaced by war and if they would survive the impending battles ahead. Bohenkamp was sympathetic with those who worried about their own lives and if they would see the end of their service in the Waffen SS. He cursed under his breath and fell into a depression fueled with alcohol when he received news of the Mokan-Zvezdan offensive against Ordenite positions along the DMZ.

In his private quarters within the base he cried while looking through various family photos, photos of his wife and children still in Germania, waiting for him to return from his duties in the armed forces. He would soon recover from his sudden depression when he got dressed in his combat orientated fatigues and grabbed his personal firearm before meeting with other officers in his outfit for deployment orders. Once the briefing was concluded and the officers scrambled to give their own orders to their men, Bohenkamp took his helmet and placed a family picture inside of it where it wouldn't fall out before placing the helmet on his head. A fellow command staff person offered Bohenkamp a cigarette and he accepted it. Prussian cigarettes were well known within the Ordenite Werhmacht and highly popular with the men as it helped relieve some nerves during the lulls of heavy combat that they would soon see. Once the Waffen SS field army was ready to move out from it's base, Bohenkamp embarked in his utility jeep as the field army began it's journey onwards to the current frontlines to meet the enemy in battle.

[Mokastana]

UESS-Kashubian Front Line
Central Push
0200 hours( Initial Assault +4 hrs)

What had originally been marked as a KDF corps turned out to be SS, which meant the center of the front began to stall. Luckily, the Mokans had their own Elite Army Forces leading the charge. 3rd Corps 9th Army was one of the three Corps in 9th Army specializing in Frontal Assaults. They had everything from the Lyran Arms catalog a General could ask for. King Shepard LY7 anti aircraft systems, LY4A2 Wolfhounds, LY9 Direwolves, the 155mm guns of LY6 Werewolf Assault Guns, and the artillery, attack helicopters, and recon forces to match.

As the SS cut their way through the attack, attempting to break the moral of the center, they crashed into their Mokan counterparts. Though the SS was fierce, this would be their first taste of fighting Mokans and their Federated brother's on the battlefield. These were not the conscripts that made up the bulk of the Federal Army, these were men and woman aiming for titles and honor in the Warrior Societies. Those who either already carried membership claws, or thirsted for enough blood to give them the honor. The wars in Castille gave Mokastana the first batch of true Veterans in nearly a decade(IC wise), and now everyone fought to be among them. Those that truly wanted it, joined the External Armed Forces, for they knew each heart they silenced brought them closer, and each breath stolen from the enemy gave them fame. It was not unlike a religious fervour, finally being graced with an enemy worthy of their bullets and blades.

Service guaranteed citizenship, but blood guaranteed privilege.

It didn't take long for the battle to fall from Corps size movements, to Company, to hand to hand combat. The artillery rained down by both sides turned the DMZ into a barren field within the first hour. Armor burned in the fields as the same hill changed hands again and again. Mokan sharpshooters, a staple of Federal warfare, took advantage of the chaos to shoot and scoot, hunting officers through the darkness. Wounded from both sides were being dragged into armoured ambulances and brought to field hospitals behind the lines. Federal drones and recon balloons hovered over the battlefield, scouting for their masters. Neither side gave in willingly, fighting for national pride or honor. A lot of graves would be dug in the coming weeks, and everyone fought to ensure it would on their terms.


UESS-Kashubian Front Line
Western Push
0200 hours( Initial Assault +4 hrs)

1st Corps, 9th Army commanded the push along the western coast, attempting to reach the mountain south of them. It was hard, but the Zvezdan Army fought bravely. Mokan artillery fired IR inhibiting smoke screens to cover the assaults or make the enemy believe an assault was coming, sometimes even with additional cruise missiles being fired from North of the border in support. Infantry and sharp shooters scouted for the assaults when overhead recon couldn't suffice. They were going for a major push over here, but the best attacks don't come from the front, but from the sides.

In the bay west of the Front, Tenskwatawa Class Nuclear Attack Submarines had been scouting for months before this battle, listening for enemy ship movement, and more importantly, mine laying operations. Coastal radars tracked enemy aircraft and vessels for months, watching their patterns and checking out possible minefields. The submarines had also been looking for safe routes, in case an invasion was ever needed. Today would be the day all that hard work paid off.

The four Marine Transport Flotillas were loaded up and making their way to the coast, they would remain some 40 kilometres away from the coast on their closest approach. A combined naval and air assault would be made on the enemy reserves in the small valley between the two mountain peaks on the western front. At sea, the marines loaded into their MAV-31 Amphibious Armored Vehicles while LY10 Bloodhounds floated, serving on escort duty. The heavier tanks and vehicles rode on LCACs and LCMs. Specialized assault infantry rode in the Sea Stallions and Ospreys escorted by attack helicopters and the new FA-60 Outlaws.

Behind them, the fleet had already been firing cruise missiles into land based targets that might threaten the amphibious landing. Submarines and Helicopters began dropping explosives to remove the minefield threat. Then the Battleaxe Cruisers came to life with their triple 205mm guns, firing 12 rocket assisted rounds per gun per minute up to 20 kilometres inland. Lead helicopters and Outlaws would act as recon, in addition to targets already marked by the Army.

To understand what Mokan Marines were, one needs to understand the Federations approach to amphibious warfare. For there were technically three types of “Infanteria de Marino” in the Federation, each with their own requirements and area of service. “ Infanteria Marino de Guardia,” the amphibious forces of the Reserve Guard, who were mostly conscripts more likely to clean up after hurricanes than see combat. “Infantería Marino de Ejército,” the amphibious forces of the main army. Since much of the Federation was Islands or coastal, it only made sense for the Army to have their own amphibious divisions so they wouldn't always rely on the Navy. Finally, the “Infantería Marino de Armada,” the Navy's Marines. These were, quite literally, top of their class. An applicant for the Naval Marine Corps had to graduate in the top 15% of their class in External Armed Forces Training, then elect to join the Marines of the Navy, and pass Navy Marine training. If the External Armed Forces were the Army's best, the Navy's Marines were the best of the best. Membership in the External Armed Forces meant you would probably be deployed to dangerous places. Joining the ‘Infantería Marino de Armada’ promised you would be sent in first.


Embassy to the Golden Throne
Mokastana City, Mokastana
People's Unified Federation

The courier arrived early in the morning. Since it seemed that the Emperor was visiting family in Gholghant, the Federation was going to try a different approach. A certified letter from the Foreign Ministry arrived late in the night, addressed directly to the Ambassador and marked as Urgent as one could respectfully make a letter such as this.

A long and terrible conflict is upon the People's Unified Federation. Though we do not expect nor ask for the Golden Throne to join us in arms, we do ask for the following aide in this conflict:

1)It is well known by Federal Intelligence that the Golden Throne aided the Kashubia regime with military technology and training. We request the details of military goods sold to the United World Order and Kashubia, as well as details of training offered.

2)We request the Golden Throne cease all aide activity to the United World Order and Kashubia.

3)That the Golden Throne remove their “soft blockade” from Ordernite controlled portions of Holy Panooley.

4)The military and intelligence agencies of the Golden Throne cease cooperation with Ordernite agencies.

Please respond within 48 hours.


Respectfully,

Elizabeth Franshaw
Foreign Minister
People's Unified Federation

[Val Verde Grande]

Palacio de Gobierno
Palenque, Val Verde


President Miguel Andrés Echeverría never ceased to be impressed by the splendor of the Government Palace in which he lived and worked. An ancient building constructed during the days of Spanish colonial rule, it was constructed in the plateresque architectural style. The Val Verdean coat of arms adorned the building’s façade, with Verdean national banners draped across the renaissance neo-classical columns. Inside the great entry hall were high, vaulted ceilings, quartz chandeliers and paintings depicting Verdean national heroes, colonial governors and former presidents.

Today, speaking in the Hall of Glass, Echeverría received the Mokan ambassador and military attaché, along with the Verdean Secretary of Defense Manuel Fernández Guillén, and Chief of the Defense Staff, General Álvaro González Garza. The Mokan ambassador had spoken plainly, delivering a request from the People’s Unified Federation to join in their war against the Ordernites. Given the close proximity of Val Verde to Mokastana, similar socially liberal sentiment and their cultural similarity in being of Spanish origin, it was of course natural that the two states would be close diplomatically. President Echeverría had personally signed cooperation agreements with the Mokans regarding piracy and drug smuggling. Agreeing to contribute forces to a foreign war, however noble a cause, was a far more complex matter. A responsible leader never urges his nation to war without serious consideration of alternatives.

Ultimately, Echeverría had determined to speak to the Cortes in favor of a declaration of war. The Ordernites, a fascist and evil entity, must be stopped he had said to them. It would be in the Union of Eastern Soviets that the Verdean people should assist their Mokan and Morridane friends in doing precisely that. The Cortes voted overwhelmingly, in favor of issuing a declaration of war, and the mobilization of Verdean National Army reserves to support the war effort.


_______________


En Route to Eastern Soviets,
Skies above the Mokan Sea

Major Carlos Asensio Asarta longed for the days of old, when aircraft required that the pilot be truly engaged in every act of flying. Today however, he was little more than a flight technician, ensuring that critical systems were operating properly. Except in an emergency, which he thanked God had never happened to him, he really was unnecessary. The large refueling craft more or less flew itself.

He joined a vast flight of other aircraft on the way to the former Red Star Union where a battle of monumental proportions was being waged between the Mokan military and Eastern Soviet local forces against the Ordernite fascists. His current task was to refuel aircraft coming from either Val Verde or Mokastana to ensure that they could travel the long distance across Eastern Dienstad to arrive in the conflict zone. It was exciting to be part of Val Verde’s first real combat operations in the region, and he was proud to know that his role was a truly vital one to the war effort.

A Mokan strategic airlifter of unknown type docked with his boom operator who, after refueling cut the line and returned the boom to its housing. They had refueled several aircraft already and were running low on reserves forcing them to return home. He knew that as soon as they had been refitted they would be returned to the sky to continue supporting the mass movement of forces by air. It would be a long next few days, but it was necessary. Major Asarta knew that defeating the Ordernites was essential to not only his country’s freedom, but also to the rest of the region.

_______


Fort Gran Pantera,
outside Stavropol, Union of Eastern Star Soviets

Miguel Hernandez had once been a happy kid.

He had enjoyed sports, playing futbol in school, and had believed he would use his natural talent to attend the University of Trinidad. While many of his peers set their eyes on the U18s, a natural step towards progression into professional futbol, he had believed going to the university would ensure a more fulfilled life. After University scouts had approached him about his talent, he believed this was a distinct possibility. When the coach offered to extend to him a scholarship for study, he knew he was inching closer to accomplishing his main goal: to ultimately play for the Val Verdean National Team. From the time he was a boy, this had been the sole ambition of his life. Miguel was so close to achieving it.

Then he received his conscription notice, and his life changed.

Miguel remembered how his mother had cried. The deep, heaving sob that only the fear of losing one’s child can elicit. So too had his father, enormously proud that his son was well on his way towards an enormously successful career in professional futbol, mourned the notion of this unwelcomed interruption to his son’s young life. Miguel’s father consoled his mother, fighting back his own tears, desperately clinging to the stoic image he had always tried to present. This one time, his father failed. Some of Miguel’s friends would also receive conscription notices in the following days and weeks. Miguel could not help but feel anger and resentment towards his friends who did not, and instead would get to live their dream by going on to university, or go on to play futbol.

The day finally came that Miguel had to report to the local Military Entrance Processing Station. After a short, sad goodbye to his parents and grandparents, Miguel was inducted into the Army. He had hoped that somehow he would be given a position of safety within the military. In fact, he reassured his mother saying that he had read somewhere that ‘for every combat soldier, there are ten non-combat troops to support him.’ When receiving his orders, he saw that his fitness was rated as ‘Exceptional.’ He then looked at his job assignment, only to see it read ‘Infantry, Rifleman’, and his heart sank. Miguel Hernandez truly was going to war.

The physical training side of basic training had been a breeze for him, and in a way even the combat portion of his advanced infantry training was sort of fun. He had been assigned to the 1st platoon, B Company 122 battalion of the 3rd Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) after graduation. Upon arrival was further horrified to learn that he would be almost immediately deployed to fight in the former Red Star Union against the Ordernites.

Now, the happy kid who’s life was so full of promise had forever changed.

The transport aircraft had landed at Fort Gran Pantera early in the morning, just as the sun was rising over the horizon. In the distance, the darkness enabled the flashes of artillery to illuminate the sky, the nearly constant thunderous booms reminiscent of the worst storms he had ever witnessed. His company commander and First Sergeant were first off the aircraft, barking commands for the troops to offload equipment quickly. The pavement needed to be cleared for the next wave of aircraft depositing more men and material to get Val Verde into the fight. The opening days of war had been a meat grinder: Mokan casualties had been severe and replacements would come in the form of the rapidly deployed Val Verdean expeditionary corps.

The trip over had been largely silent. He and the other men of his company had little to say. Some were full of bravado about glories to be won and the girls they would score back home. All Miguel wanted to do was survive and go home. His squad leader, Corporal Félix de Barboza, gathered the squad of eight men around him and gave a small briefing after he'd returned from a squad leaders briefing with the platoon commander.

'Okay,' he began. 'We're going to be bivouacking here for the morning and afternoon. There are cots in that hangar,' he pointed to the side, 'where we'll be able to catch some rest. This evening when there's less chance of being targeted by artillery or Ordernite bombers, 122 battalion will be moving to the front. Any questions?'

One of the senior soldiers, a private first class named Dámaso, said exasperated 'The rest of the brigade hasn't even arrived yet!'

'I know, nobody's real happy about it but the Mokans really need us at the front apparently. We're going to be serving under their chain of command anyhow, apparently. So it really doesn't matter that much. By late this afternoon most of our IFVs will be here too so we'll be using those. The tanks should be here in a couple days.'

'Its a running start,' he continued. 'But we have absolutely no input into this. So get as much rest as you can because there won't be any time once that,' he said, pointing to the flashes in the distance, 'begins.'

[United World Order]

Kashubian - UESS Frontline,
Center Push, 0200 HRS

When the Waffen SS Armored Corps begun their push on the center to counter the on-going Mokan-Zvezdian push on the center of the line, the enemy advance noticeably began to slow down and stall due to the sudden counter-attack. This slow in the center line was used by the Army to gather up it's wounded and evacuate them from the frontlines, armored ambulances escorted by armed TPz 255 armored vehicles begun arriving and loading up as much of the wounded as they could before leaving for field hospitals put on alert for the arrival of many wounded soldiers. Although due to the sheer numbers the Ordenite Army had in the Demarcation zone, it wouldn't be long before the numbers on the line would be replenished by fresh Ordenite Army units now arriving on the battlefield in place of those who were severely wounded in the opening hours of the Mokan-Zvezdian assault. What vehicles and equipment were destroyed in the initial engagement would be replenished upon arrival of additional Ordenite Army formations. Despite the fact that the Ordenite Army and even the SS partaking in the battle were outclassed by Lyran equipment and weapons of war, the ground forces of the Wehrmacht would fight hard and exhaust every possible tactic they could in order to ensure defeat on the enemy. The abundance of Panzerfaust 300s and their AT variant would be shown on the battlefield as they too would come into play in disabling or even out right destroying advancing enemy armor and lighter vehicles being used in the battle.

From the trenches of the Ordenite Army positions bracing the on-going battle for the center, were their the numerous Ordenite snipers and sharpshooters of their own, utilizing various methods of concealment to continuously hunt down enemy snipers and sharpshooters, they were also gunning for actual Mokan soldiers that were on the battlefield, hoping to thin their numbers as to sweep away what remained of the bulk of the Zvezdian assault. What was also becoming apparent was that their were numerous wielders of Anti-Material rifles calibered in .50 BMG or the more heavier 12.7mm round as these would be used on lighter vehicles and enemy infantry that were proving hard to bring down due to tougher body armor. The enemy aerial threat was always present above the battlefield, low flying aircraft and even now with attack helicopters most likely piloted by Mokans, additional FlakPanzer V's would be used to strafe enemy helicopters down with their 40mm auto cannons and if needed using their SAM launchers.

Kashubian - UESS Frontline,
Western Push, 0200HRS.

The western flank of the front line was no different to the fierce fighting occurring else where on the DMZ. The Ordenite Army on the western flank fought hard and bravely against the Zvezdian attempt to break out from the front line and reach further south to the valley. Ordenite Panzerwerfer II batteries continuously fired their rockets at enemy positions and troop concentrations. additional artillery also contributed to this. Army commanders had begun relaying orders to the men on either of the flanks about being vigilant of the enemy in case of a shift in the enemy assault as they noted that the flanks could become weakened and open for exploitation. Smoke and the sound of roaring explosions and machine gun fire made the front lines a living hell on earth as the battle would continue on until either side or even both were exhausted. Luckily for the Army on the western flank, they had distant support from the Kriegsmarine out on the eastern bay which they shared with the UESS. Surface ships made continuous bombardments on enemy positions using cruise missies and what naval aircraft they could deploy out into the fight for close air support and fighting for aerial supremacy over the battlefield.

The Kriegsmarine had also noticed that enemy naval assets were moving on the coast closest to the frontline for what was assumed to be an attempt at a amphibious landing. What submarines were available in the bay were immediately scrambled out to seek out these ships and sink them completely. Surface ships of the Kriegsmarine would move in as well into Zvezdian waters and attempt to break the amphibious assault, soon enough numerous anti-ship missiles would be launched at the enemy naval formations nearing the coast as a naval engagement would now be on their hands. Ordenite Army units on the western flank were also notified by aerial reconnaissance aircraft about this move and would make adjustments to counter a amphibious landing attempt. What AA batteries were near the coast would begin to fill the air with SAMs in order to bring down as many aircraft and rotor craft as possible.

Kashubian - UESS Frontlines,
Eastern Push, 0200HRS.

The eastern flank of the front lines was holding decently as the advancing Zvezdians and Mokan counter parts were having a difficult time breaking the defense of the Ordenite Army. For the most part, the eastern flank was holding quite well against the enemy assault but this would not be suffice as the Ordenite Army wanted to route these forces back across into Zvezda but their was a more sinister plan at work now. It had been derived in the opening hours of the ferocious battle initiated by the UESS and their Mokan allies, that the eastern flank was considered the most vulnerable and could be exploited by those of the Ordenite Fallschirmjager. Currently within Kashubia, two regimental sized units of Fallschirmjager were present and could be used as rapid reaction forces and would be. The plan was to push from the front line with fresh Ordenite Army formations now arriving on the eastern flank and then encircle the assaulting forces by landing a considerable amount of Fallschirmjager behind them and squeezing them together until the enemy surrendered or they were all killed.

A considerable amount of aerial coverage would be expended on the plan as the skies above the eastern flank would be filled with Ordenite fighter aircraft and close air support aircraft. A considerable amount of reconnasaince had been done on the entirety of the UESS side of the DMZ and with months of intelligence gathering, it was concluded that the eastern flank was the best position to strike back at the enemy from. Much of the 4th Regiment Fallschirmjager were now in the skies in transport aircraft and transport helicopters, of course AA ground fire would most likely begin showing themselves as the paratroopers closed in on their target area, that being nearly 10KM away from the current fighting happening on the eastern flank frontline. Ordenite fighters and close air support would move in with the paratroopers and engage what AA ground assets they could find and destroy. Meanwhile on the ground, the arrival of Colonel Bohenkamp and his Waffen SS field army would signify the beginning of the ground assault on the eastern flank of the UESS-Mokan assault.

Fresh Ordenite Army formations would begin the assault first, a total of 400,000 would begin advancing against the UESS- Mokan assault and their front line. This significant advance on the eastern flank would hopefully distract the UESS- Mokan attackers and defenders of what was going on behind their lines as the 4th Regiment Fallschirmjager began flying above their target zone, heavy AA fire followed, some transport planes didn't make it and were either completely shot down or the paratroopers within were forced to jump early and hope for the best. Ordenite CAS aircraft opened up on whatever defenses they could find and or were confirmed by reconnaissance efforts over the last few months. By 0230, the majority of 4th regiment Fallschirmjager were either slowly making their way to the ground below or were being landed by transport helicopter and forming up small units and heading out to complete set objectives while behind enemy lines. Over the next two hours, 5,000 Fallschirmjager would hit the dirt behind enemy lines, either dead, wounded or alive and seek out enemy positions, defenses such as Anti aircraft, bunkers and even UESS- Mokan frontlines, hoping to hit the enemy from behind while facing the considerable Ordenite frontal assault.

The fallschirmjager would also seek out fuel and ammunition depots, communications and command centers present. They would cause as much chaos as they could while behind the frontlines and if the frontal Army assault was successful, they would link up with advancing ground forces and request further orders and hold ground. The Ordenite Army push across the eastern flank would be contested and pushed ferociously, eventually Colonel Bohenkamp and his field army would begin entering the fray and begin pushing forward with the Army counter attack. What Ordenite artillery assets could be mustered on the eastern flank were put to good use in suppressing enemy defenses and what Zvezdians and Mokans were caught in the middle of the DMZ.

[Ralkovian Grand Island]

United World Order
Ralkovian Sturmvad Base "Empire's Delight"

"By the great Zorothki, these Orderian morons just kicked the hornets nest," Grand Lord General Kubi Razmoz cursed, his hand balled in a fist against the straight blackened steel of the Command Table. Aligned around him were the several other commanders of the Ralkovian Allied Defense Army, that made up the other twenty Ralkovian military bases placed throughout the Orderian state. Even the Death Guard seemed fully aware of the position the UWO had just put the Ralkovian Empire in.

There was a plain certainty that this war was likely going to end in pitched battle on the home terrain of UWO and would likely suck in millions of Ralkovians from other theaters. Already the Emperor himself was in a deep state of anger at how the UWO had decided to open up a powder keg of a war without even a warning to the Ralkovian Empire. The Ralkovians had been watching the developments of Kashubia admittedly with some amusement, observing GD tactics and strategies, but like a drunken friend now shitting on a police car, trouble would likely spread.

Ralkovia had already begun weighing the likely consequences of abandoning the UWO, one of it's major trading partners and allies. The simple fact was Ralkovia did not desire a war with the likes of Lyras, Lamoni, Imbrinium, or any of the other powerhouses in GD; Ralkovia couldn't afford a prolonged engagement with an entire region. Even the best outcome, a pyrrhic victory, left Ralkovia picking up the pieces of a fallen ally and several destroyed armies, the cost of which would absolutely hamper Expansion and Colonization for decades to come.

Despite all that, Ralkovian Military Command was pushing forward, advising the Emperor that abandoning UWO could result in a total loss scenario. Many of GD's external aims were balanced with the fears of UWO and meant there were a limited number of moves that they could make, further still, Ralkovian allies, protectorates, and colonies continued to risk business with Ralkovia because they believed themselves to be defended by the Ralkovians.

Already Ralkovia had begun troop transports to the UWO homeland, and within the week the first fleet would be deployed. A steady stream of planes were now carrying equipment, weapons, vehicles, and troops. While the UWO was concerned with victory in Kashubia, Ralkovia knew that it would be a short matter of time before those forces were repulsed and a GD fleet would be dispatched to siege the UWO.

[Val Verde Grande]

Verdaño 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Brigade
1st Corps, 9th Army Area of Operations
Eastern Star Soviets


The troop bay of the Schildkröte amphibious assault vehicle was illuminated solely by a red light, casting the interior in a ghoulish hue of red and black. The bay was mostly silent save for the occasional loud cough or groan of a seasick Marine as the AAV pushed through the waves toward its destination, rocking steadily and bucking against the tide. The AAV was only one of many dozens, carrying the first wave of the 4th Marine Brigade’s landing operation into the 1st Corps area of operations along the southern coast of Eastern Star Soviets.

Ensign Hector Andres Ortega sat atop the hard padded seat, pressed tightly against one of the Marines under his command, Petty Officer 1st Class Jesus Somoza Zelaya, 2nd squad leader. Hector had been in the Marines for only just shy of a year, but combined with his six months of training had conducted several landings under controlled circumstances, as had all Verdaño Marines. The headset he wore came to life as the AAV’s commander announced that they would be landing within ten minutes.

‘Ten minutes!’ he shouted above the roar of the Schildkröte’s waterjets. The announcement was echoed by the Marines seated beside and in front of him. A Mokan assault wave had begun to strike the beach earlier, and their battalion was not expecting to face resistance immediately on the beach.

None too soon, the AAV lurched forward and Ensign Ortega grinned knowing that they had made it ashore. Within moments the rear exit ramp dropped, and Ortega launched himself out of the AAV and into the soft sand. The tide brought in surging water which soaked his boots and lower pant legs, but he ignored it as he urged his men out of the vehicle and to move forward. He saw Mokan Naval Infantrymen preparing fighting positions, hardly acknowledging their Verdaño counterparts.

The company commander called out across their battlenet to assemble into prearranged formations, of which Ensign Ortega’s platoon would be on the left flank. As Ortega’s squads disgorged from their AAVs and assembled on the beach, he waved them into their own respective positions. Once the entire company had formed up, all two hundred Verdaño Marines began advancing beyond the beach itself.

High sand dunes with tall grass stretching skyward swayed with the breeze coming from the ocean. Ensign Ortega and his Marines moved through them, as Ortega contemplated that his platoon was the absolute flank of the entire battalion movement. He could hear the sounds of battle in the distance, and became cognizant of similar sounds coming from the ocean. He realized that the fleet was now engaging Ordernite naval assets reacting to their landing. Ortega could only hope that the rest of the brigade had managed to deploy. If the Mokan fleet failed to defeat the fascists, they could be stranded in a pocket on the shore surrounded by millions of Ordernite troops.

‘Chief!’ Ensign Ortega called out to his platoon executive, Chief Petty Officer Andrés Hurtado de Peralta. The experienced veteran hurried over and nodded to his platoon leader. ‘Have the men begin digging in. We’re supposed to hold this position along the Mokan west flank until the entire brigade and Mokan landing force is ready to advance.’

‘Yes, Mr. Ortega,’ Chief Peralta said, and took off, barking commands to each of the platoon’s three squads. Ensign Ortega set about digging his own firing position from which he could coordinate his squads if…when, he corrected himself, the Ordernites launched their counter-attack.


*

Verdaño 4th Marine Brigade
1st Corps, 9th Army Area of Operations
Eastern Star Soviets

Captain Marcos Pérez Jiménez, 4th Marine Brigade commander, had just arrived on the beach himself. The majority of the brigade had already disembarked, and his command staff was presently setting up a temporary command center from which to coordinate the brigade’s operations from a command module Schildkröte. The operation was progressing smoothly so far, and he was pleased at the performance of his Marines. The Mokan Marines were renowned for their professionalism; Captain Jiménez liked to believe his men though less experienced were just as skilled.

Standard practice in the Verdaño Marine Corps was to keep one brigade in constant readiness for rapid deployment. Colonel Jiménez’s 4th brigade was in its period as the strategic rapid deployment force when the Ordernite War broke out, and was the first to be ordered to deploy to Eastern Star Soviets. Orders were almost immediately placed to Captain Jiménez for his forces to be sent to join a Mokan Naval Infantry amphibious assault to break the western front.

Once having reached the Mokan transport flotilla, the Mokan Marine commander had informed him that they would be supporting the Mokan forces in their push in support itself of a Zvezdan assault in the west, drawing critical Ordernite forces away from the front. Colonel Jiménez’s brigade would be attached to the Mokan forces until the rest of the Verdaño 1st Marine Division arrived over the next few days.

The brigade’s executive officer, Commander Emilio Herera, Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Pedro Otero y Mendoza, and Master Chief Petty Officer Íñigo López Palafox joined their commander in the doorway to his command vehicle.

‘Sir,’ Commander Herera began, ‘All units are accounted for. We’re good to go. The three infantry battalions have established themselves along the flank, and our support and heavy weapons companies are all in position.’

‘Excellent,’ Captain Jiménez said nodding. ‘Inform the battalion commanders to have their men sit tight on high alert. Once the Mokan commanders have given us orders, we’ll proceed.’


*

B Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Armor Brigade
Puerto Tena, Republic of Val Verde



Captain Antonio Canales Rosado rested alongside the hull of his LY-219 ‘Ironheart’ command vehicle, observing the twelve Feurig 2A2 main battle tanks being loaded onto transport vessels destined for Eastern Star Soviets. After almost twenty-four hours being transported by rail, Rosado was glad finally see his machines of war being loaded onto the vessels to go and do what he was trained for.

Initially Captain Rosado was planning to become an intelligence officer when he became a student at la Universidad Militar. After seeing battle tanks for the first time, however, his mind changed. Rosado’s first company commander had once remarked ‘nothing could make a man feel more like a God than being a tank commander.’ Rosado now knew why the skipper had held that sentiment. He eagerly awaited getting to Eastern Star Soviets to bring the wrath of his armored fist against the fascist forces, and to test his own abilities against the no doubt skilled and experienced Ordernites.

Most of his men had already boarded the transport vessels, but he stayed behind to observe the loading. If anything happened to his tanks he was personally responsible, and so every step of the way the armored behemoths seldom left his sight. He sighed with relief when the last was loaded and the crane operator began to signal the captain to move: his command APC would be the last to be loaded as he requested.

As the massive ‘Ironheart’ was lifted skyward, he turned to walk up the ship’s gangway himself. He was off to war, and his armored fist was coming with him.


(OOC: Special thanks to Wanderjar for answering my questions about the Marines and preapproving my post for at least relative accuracy for an amphibious landing!)

[Mokastana]

Northern Bay
Battle of the Amphibious Assault

Once again, the Mokan Navy would engage in battle with their enemy’s counterparts. 192 Amphibious Assault Ships, armed with Helicopters, LCACs, LCMs, and VTOL attack craft. 80 Battle-Axe Class Cruisers with 16 x GWLS.35M2 4-cell VLS each. 40 Hatchet Class Frigates in Missile platform role, with 32 x GWLS.35M2 4-cell VLS each, and 48 Hatchet Class Frigates armed with AN/MPQ-71 Keep target tracking radar, capable of seeing a target at 450 Kilometers and 16 x GWLS.35M2 4-cell VLS each. The enemy Kriegsmarrine had been sighted by airborne radar and AWAC flights from land. They were a priority target, but the higher priority had been ensuring the Marines made it to shore. FA-60F outlaws danced with the Enemy Anti-Aircraft batteries on shore, allowing the helicopters to fly in low and drop advanced scouts inland where they would set up recon and ambush positions, trying to slow the advance of any forces trying to block the beachhead. If they got in over their heads, they had the BattleAxe’s mighty cannons on speed dial. Those 155mm guns proved quite effective at silencing stationary AA guns. In the chaos many attack and transport helicopters were lost before they could make landfall, and many Outlaw’s were shot down, but the barrage from the sea and air continued.

Initially the command ship was notified of an incoming missile attack from the enemy fleet, a SkyGuard Battery on the coast had spotted the mass of missiles on its Over the Horizon Radar and passed the information along to the Fleet. Given the direction of the missiles, the Fleet responded in Kind, launching Hellion 2s followed by LY045 Anti-Ship Cruise missiles, the Hellions advanced AI and sensor suite would get a more accurate picture of the enemy vessels and feed that data back to the Fleet, where they would assign priority targeting for the LY045s. They were going to be using the ‘rolling barrage’ doctrine, where the missile wave would start with the closests ships, usually the escorts, sinking the outer defenses and continue to move deeper into the fleet, always going for the easiest kill. They would not focus fire on any target in particular, only go for kills and destruction. Before their missiles could engage the enemy fleet, they would have to deal with the incoming storm of Ordernite strikes.

First at bat would be the RIM-174, also known as Standard Missile 06. With a range of 240 Kilometers, they were being launched to intercept the enemy missile barrage. The Vigilant Radar systems would have 100 Kilometers to track and assign targets before they would hit the 174s max range, which was close to the first interception points. Each missile boat in the fleet carried at least Twenty RIM-174s, with many carrying plenty more. In theory, the missile had an interception rate of 80%, but battlefield practice required assuming a rate of 35%. Enemy incoming missiles that made it passed the first wave of defense missiles would run into the second level of anti missile defense, Quad Packed RIM-62 ESSMs. These were supersonic missiles with a range of roughly 50 Kilometers that specialized in intercepting anti-ship missiles. The amount of ESSMs on the Federal Fleet’s ships might be considered ridiculous by some standards, but when four of them fit in one VLS tube, there was no reason not to have enough to protect yourself. Still as fate would have it, a few enemy missiles did make it passed, which would then be subject to both decoys and Rolling Airframe Missiles, designed for Point-Blank interception within 10 Kilometers. Sadly, a few Marine Transport vessels and a couple unlucky Hatchets did not intercept in time and were hit, for despite the best laid plans, fate was never as nice.

It was assumed the enemy vessels would have a similarly strengthened anti-missile system, so they would be struck with 1,000+ Anti-Ship Missiles, a mix of LY045s and Hellion 2s, targeting somewhere between 150 and 250 enemy vessels. It would dig deeply into the Attack missile supply of the landing fleet, but a naval victory is exactly what the Fleet needed in the bay.

As the missile combat slowed, reports from the sonar buoys began to come in, enemy submarines were on their way. Anti-Submarine Warfare, or ASW, was always a concern, which is why the Marine Flotillas had so many helicopters. Helicopters were able to drop both passive and active Sonar Buoys, depth charges, mines, and torpedoes. When crews on board the Helicopter Carriers began to pick up the faint sound of screws coming towards the fleet, Helicopters armed with Active Sonar Buoys made their way towards the sounds. While Passive buoys merely listened, an active one would continue to ping as long as it was told to do so, acting like a flashlight in the ocean, bouncing sound waves off of any object that they found and painting a picture of the ocean to the sonar operators. Once the subs were sighted, they would find themselves being hunted by helicopters dropping depth charges and torpedoes in their way.


Beachhead / Northern Bay
Battle of the Amphibious Assault

Captain Rutillio Gomez watched from his temporary HQ on the beach as the AAVs and LCACs arrived from the sea. Watched might have been a strong word, since the only things that could see in the darkness of witching hour were the Night Vision goggles and IR scanners attached to their helmets. Though great in most combat ranges, at this distance it was hard to identify anything unique about the Amphibious vehicles coming ashore. LY10s made landfall, transitioning from water to land without aide. Tank company leaders had already assigned rally points which thier armor was heading towards. LCACs with the heavier LY7 Rottweilers and LY4A2 WolfHounds drove right up onto the paved roads where they unloaded their armor and a few supply vehicles. Numerous MAC-31 Amphibious Armored Vehicles passed seamlessly from the water to the ground. 2nd Company was still short two, but they would arrive within the next 10 minutes. Amphibious warfare was a staple of Mokan Doctrine, something they took pride in. The transition of hundreds of armoured vehicles to shore ready for combat spoke well of that.

He had managed to secure the beachhead with surprisingly little resistance. Behind them LMCs loaded with IFVs and additional infantry support would be in wave two. LCACs returned to sea to load up on the Artillery and supply vessels that would come in the third wave, but for now it was up to the MAC-31s and the tanks that made landfall to hold and advance the line. Of the Battalion he commanded, nearly all of its forces were ‘first landers,’ the force that made contact before the trucks and artillery and other non amphibious vehicles made it to the beach. The rest of his battalion were support vehicles still on the boats, or still at sea making landfall.

Initial casualties caused by beach defenses and enemy navy were minimal, as were casualties from the enemy on shore. He heard the helo recon teams had a rougher time, but his armor was almost ready to move and make sure those boys were taken care of.

“Captain, It seems the Commander from the 4th Marine Brigade from Val Verde has arrived.”

“Very well, let’s go give him a visit.”

Unless you knew Captain Gomez was the commander, there was no way to identify him from his men. Each Federal soldier, marines included, wore velcro over their patches hiding rank, unit insignia and name. From the Generals to the Privates, everyone’s combat DPUs looked the same. Everyone carried the same Rifle, the same pistol and machete combo, and wore the same cloaks. The cloaks didn’t help identify them either, but that was the point. Made from the same material as Lyran DPUs they wore, the cloaks hid their IR signatures and distorted the shape of the soldier. Even though it was still summer in Zvezda, the temperature still felt chilly to the tropical soldiers, which made compliance with the order to wear the extra layer that much easier. They rode in the MAC-31 that served as the Captain’s command vehicle towards the beach. It didn’t take him long to find Captain Marcos, he just had to look for the Amphibious armor that did not have the circle of Red Stars nor designed in Holy Marsh. He remembered they were expecting some units from the Holy Marsh to join in the war at a future date. Internally he wondered how the Religious fanatics would fight in this war, Probably with ecstatic joy, he thought.

“Welcome to Kashubia, Captain, I am Captain Gomez commander of 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. Sounds like your troops made it. Ready to push inland?”

[Val Verde Grande]

Captain Marcos Pérez Jiménez shook hands with the Mokan battalion commander, and nodded. 'Yes, my brigade is ready to advance. Just give us our mission and we'll proceed.'

[United World Order]

Northern Bay, 2KM from Mokan-Val Verde Beach positions.

It was already made clearly apparent that the Mokans and now with their new comrades who looked similar to them had now landed on the beaches that made up the Northern Bay which sat not too far from the farthest Ordenite position on the western flank. A small scouting element had been sent out previously when word was first mentioned of a possible amphibious landing attempt, they had disappeared soon enough into the forest that faced the very same beaches the Mokans and their allies were now using to land marines and heavy equipment and vehicles on. Cloaked in camouflage and using modern reconnaissance equipment they were able to quietly observe the amphibious landing, noticing how the Mokan marines seemed ever more than capable to conduct amphibious landings as they looked quite professional doing it. As usual, the Mokans were once again fielding Lyran manufactured vehicles, weapons and other equipment. Cooridnates and other vital information would be taken before the recon element would leave the area and report back to their superiors which would further relay orders for the repulsion of the Mokan amphibious force.

Soon enough through the same forest, a Ordenite sniper platoon were infiltrating the same tree line that faced the beaches. They would take positions along the tree line and set up their various high caliber sniper rifles, spotting equipment and camouflage and soon begin looking for high value targets, they would watch the marines and see who acted like a superior. These snipers had been trained specifically to tell body movement and who possessed some demeanor of leadership, most of the snipers targets however would be Mokans. The sniper platoon however would not be the only ones soon engaging the amphibious assault force. An entire KDF Division was soon to be arriving and setting up positions as well as already some of their more quicker units had arrived after making it through an ambush which was some what stalling other elements of the division from quickly arriving. However what was able to arrive that was straight from the Ordenite Army was the 'Heavy Artillery Battalion 654' which was a battalion strength sized unit of towed heavy howitzers that were also used in the combat occurring on the DMZ.

Heavy Artillery Battalion 654 was deploying further back from the forest line and the sniper platoon but were surely in range of the beaches that the Mokan and allied amphibious assault had landed on. Within an hour the batteries were ready to fire and had already received coordinates on the beach invaders. Soon enough, Heavy Artillery Battalion 654 was ordered to begin shelling the beach head as 173mm rounds would begin striking the beach head at the sound of booming howitzer guns. The sudden artillery fire was the perfect moment for the sniper platoon to begin picking off marines, as each explosion occurred one of the snipers opened fire on a unsuspecting marine and now it seemed the amphibious force would now meet resistance.

Northern Bay, Kriegsmarine Flotilla.

The initial engagement opened by the Kriegsmarine surface vessels had looked successful, they had been able to strike hits on several ships and the SAM batteries were successful in downing some of the enemy aircraft in the bay. However the enemy naval reaction was not as much expected as missiles beyond counting were fired back at the Kriegsmarine flotilla, however with the spacing between these surface vessels and the use of their anti-missile defense systems were able to barely come out unscathed, although several ships took hits and some were damaged. Luckily enough the rest of the flotilla had arrived and now begun getting into the fray, launching anti-ship missiles of their own and using their AA assets to swat enemy aircraft out of the sky. The roaming enemy helicopters were the most vulnerable by the Ordenite AA batteries as they were trying to repulse the Ordenite submarines who were making maneuvers of their own to avoid being hit by torpedo's and or depth charges.

In response the submarines launched additional torpedoes aiming for the more bigger Mokan surface vessels that were engaging their comrades at sea. A full blown naval duel was now at hand in the Northern Bay and whoever came out victorious would surely have the upper hand in the 2nd RSU War.

Elsewhere in Kashubia.

All in all the Ordenite and Kashubian defenders were holding their own against rising odds as the Mokans and their allies seemed determined to attempt liberation of Kashubia from Reich forces and their puppet government acting as the 'Kashubian Republic'. Due to the conflict happening in the east and with a chance that war could come to the more Reich leaning west, mobilization and conscription would come to no ones surprise as thousands were suddenly taken away from their education, families and jobs to pick up a weapon and receive training in war. The Kashubian Labor Service would be where most of the conscripts came from as the KLS were simply a paramilitary labor organization of the Kashubian National Socialist Party. Soon enough within the coming days and even weeks, thousands more would be put through the same coincidence and be preparing for a show down with their northern Zvezdian counter parts and the Mokan and other foreign invaders. Cities such as Yukar and Tuktar would be put under heavy alert of enemy invasion and thus put on a war footing as normal civilian life had seemingly ended due to the impending encroachment of the war happening in the east.

Of course the majority of the Kashubian Defense Force was also mobilized and put on a war footing as the majority of their formations would move eastwards to fight along side Ordenite forces in unnerving battle against their enemies. What was more surprising was that a new fresh batch of Ordenite Army soldiers had arrived from Germania and would now be seeing furious combat. Although the 600,000 men and their equipment and vehicles would not be the last of Ordenite reinforcements arriving in the west of Kashubia. The Oberkommando des Wehrmacht had authorized the grand mobilization and deployment of at least 5,000,000 Ordenite Army and Waffen SS to Kashubia for further combat with the Mokan and allied invaders. The 600,000 that had arrived after a two day journey from Holy Panooly would only be the tip of the ice berg, as the majority of the expected reinforcements would pass through South Panooly waters under the cover of the Maccabean soft blockade and then eventually onward to Kashubia.

[Morrdh]

Northern Bay
Western Sector - Erid Border Zone

As the main Mokan landings got underway and a naval slugging match evolved in the Northern Bay area, the Morridanes began their own operations. A large Royal Morridane Navy task force circled round to the west close to the waters of Erid Lor, The Morridane fleet was led by a pair of Vanguard-class battleships, HES Valiant and HES Vulcan. The two battleships were supported by around 50 Tiger-class cruisers, 120 destroyers and 70 frigates. This fleet had two jobs, first to screen landing ships bringing in troops and armour to be put ashore as well as to try and outflank the Kriegsmarine flotilla. Further out to sea five Audacious-class carriers lurked protected jointly by ten cruisers, 30 destroyers and 25 frigates which would be reinforced in the coming days by the task force that conducted the raid on Dathel Port. The job of the carriers was to provide long range support in the form of Sea Eagle armed Buccaneers, though the strike aircraft also carried eight 1,000 lb bombs to either be used to support the landings or for toss bombing attacks on Ordenite ships.

Though the Commonwealth's 1st Airborne Army had been assembled in New Garrack, one of its units known as the 3rd Parachute Division had been sent to Zvezda partially to help train Zvezdan paratroops and partially as a rapid response force as war loomed. One of the Division's own units, the 7th Parachute Brigade, had been detached detached to support the Morridane landings. The 7th Parachute Brigade was to be dropped via an air armada of C-130 Hercules close to a small coastal town called Serlov which would be focal point for the Morridane amphibious landings. It was expected that the paratroopers would be relieved within 48 hours, though if this deadline was missed a backup plan would be put into action involving the rest of the 3rd Parachute Division ready and waiting in Zvezda.

[The Grand World Order]

Field Marshal Jonathan Arna
O12 Grade Commander, Federal Army of Our Fascist Federation, Joint Commander of Federal Operations in Kashubia
FAS Mannerheim, over the mountains between Kokshlovo and New Impen

The Mannerheim was one of the brand new Victor-class command airships fielded by the Federal Air Force. It wasn't designed for combat- aside from a few THEL and CIWS stations for self defense, it was unarmed. However, it offered a complete communications suite that was mostly uninterrupted while on the move, using satellite-tracking communication lasers to interface with Orderian classfied networks, and scores of other antennae to access public and military communications through several methods. At this particular moment, the newly-promoted Field Marshal Jonathan Arna was speaking with the Federal Air Force attache at the Central Air Operations Center. Arna was a big man at roughly 6'1", but nothing outlandish. His head, aside from his eyebrows and a mustache, was completely shaven. His face was soft and round, and his neck was wider than his head; Arna powerlifted as a hobby. Tailoring his uniforms was an utter headache.

The other voice on the line spoke, "Those aircraft are currently slated to conduct SIGINT against rebel forc-"
"I don't give a damn, General," Arna responded. "I want them hurtling towards North Port and conducting barrage jamming as soon as they fucking can. Be advised as well, the frequency manager has released all guarded frequencies in that AO. Assets are on the ground to aid in tasking and will be calling them as they see them. Organize everything you need to, I want Prowlers and an E-8 backing the Ordernites," he finished before hanging up. This was his first command as a Field Marshal, mainly because the GWO didn't expect it to turn so chaotic so fast; if he could show his competence here, he'd be solidly entrenched as a member of the most senior echelon of the Federal government. At the start of his career, he had been a UN Peacekeeper; literally, he had been serving longer than the GWO was a proper nation, and was a Magna Polis Uprising veteran.

To him, it was hardly a surprise that the GD powers were striking the UWO here. What was surprising though, was how fast they had come, and that they didn't instead shoot straight for the Ordernite homeland. Why here? Did Kashubia really mean that much to these people? He was aware of the history of the land, any responsible officer would know before assuming command, but it almost seemed unrelated to the recent goings-on of the UWO.

---

Major Sarah "Ivan" Tkachenko / SHOCK 1-ACTUAL
EA-6C Super Prowler Pilot, 680th Naval Tactical Electronics Warfare "Nuke-a-cats" Squadron, Federal Air Force of Our Fascist Federation
15,000ft ASL; en route to Northern Bay

The turbojet engines aboard the EA-6C Super Prowler made it a -very- loud aircraft design. They were rather unorthodox, but they gave the aircraft the ability to maintain almost its max speed and maneuverability even at low altitudes- something that the turbofans aboard most fighter aircraft couldn't do. As the plane was completely unable to defend itself, this made escaping hostile anti-air efforts a much more viable option.

Less than 10 minutes after taking off to listen in on rebel communications, her flight, which consisted of SHOCK 1-ACTUAL and SHOCK 1-1, was retasked. A call had been made to the Orderite air command, requesting that they pull a few fighters to meet and then escort the Prowlers as they conducted electronic fire on the enemy, as well as for the E-8 STARS that was currently being prepped for takeoff from an airfield outside of New Impen.

It would be some time before they were on station, and each crew member of the two planes were keeping their fingers crossed for the Orderite escorts, and that whatever ground team the Reconnaissance and Intelligence Directorate had on the ground was still alive and well when they arrived. Without the escorts or people on the ground to give them targets, their mission was possible, but it was going to be a very, very harrowing experience. As if it wasn't already.

[Val Verde Grande]

Headquarters Battalion, 4th Marine Brigade,
Northern Bay, Eastern Star Soviets


Captain Marcos Pérez Jiménez threw himself into the sand upon the first impact of Ordernite artillery. The explosions threw dirt and sand high into the air in great plumes which he could see, even hundreds of meters away. The artillery appeared to be focused on the Mokan forces, a fact which the Verdaño Marine Brigade commander recognized as fortuitous.

Turning to his executive officer, Commander Emilio Herera, he shouted ‘Get the heavy weapons companies on counter battery fire immediately!’

‘Aye Captain!’ the commander affirmed, and relayed the order into his radio. The Heavy Weapons Companies had 120mm mortar platoons which, with their nine heavy mortars, would be able to ascertain the general location of the enemy battery and return fire. Each battalion had one such platoon in its headquarters, which would be able to put a total of twenty seven 120mm mortars into action. The Ordernites had moved the battery into the tree line just ahead of the landing beach, well within range of the heavy mortars. While unlikely to knock out the artillery pieces themselves, it may slow the enemy’s rate of fire by killing or injuring crewmen, or possibly forcing them to seek cover.

Captain Marcos Pérez Jiménez then ordered the 81mm and 60mm mortar platoons to advance so that they could saturate the tree line. While he wasn’t able to tell if there were any Ordernite forces in the treeline, as no firing had been directed against his forces thus far and the Mokans had yet to integrate into his battlenet, he could only assume that they would be doing so. With dozens of mortars saturating the treeline with high explosive shells, he could at least prevent any forward observer units from effectively targeting Mokan, newly arriving Morridane, or Verdaño forces. If a larger Ordernite combat element was maneuvering through the woods, the fires started by the high explosive rounds would restrict their axis of advance, and funnel them into a kill zone once they were located by friendly forces.

Satisfied that his reaction was the proper decision against this attack, he ordered his Marines to remain on high alert and observe the treeline carefully. If the Ordernites or their Kashubian puppets were spotted, they would immediately be targeted by not only the direct fire of the Marine rifle battalions but also by the mortars and decimated.

[Stevid]

200km SW of Kashubia
2340 hrs


The seas were calm with only gently rolling waves and warmed by the summer heat; no clouds and no moon, only the star dotted canvass drew the eye from what was the inky blackness of the sea. But in truth these seas were far from calm for only a year ago fleets and aircraft of the Holy Empire, Imbrinium and Lyras battled for control of them. On the seabed were hundreds of decaying wrecks of both ship and plane. Otium Aqua, the sea that separates Stevid from Guffingford, used to hold the accolade for the most dangerous and war torn – but now the waters that separate the former state of Red Star Union and the Imperial dominion of Adaptus Astrates held the ‘honour’. And so it was to be the place of death yet again as the Fourth Reich of the United World Order deemed war was preferable to cordial relations with anyone. Already fleets were being positioned and the Commonwealth of Morrdh had already struck out at the vassal state of Kashubia, de facto controlled by the Ordenites.

The proximity of the conflict was impossible for Stevid and her Empire to ignore. Kashubia was directly in the path of all materials being sent from both Stevid and Adaptus Astrates to Stevidian South Greal that had suffered immeasurably during a conflict that had only ended a few months ago. No sooner had one war finished another sprung into being and in the same theatre of operations with further potential to spread across the region. Such was the nature of this war torn region – Greater Dienstad.

The Empire was far from weak but it was economically challenged despite help from her allies and economic friends. Stevidian South Greal was in turmoil in the eastern part of the territory and the rebuilding effort would bring the economy to its knees, another war was the last thing anyone wanted. Yet the Ordenite Reich now found itself at war with a host of nations including Morrdh - and Morrdh had sent out a call to arms to her allies for assistance. A call now dutifully answered by the Holy Empire.

So now a few hundred kilometres off Kashubia, far away from the immediate actions of the war, were several vessels of the Stevidian Royal Navy. The lead ships were two Antares class cruisers, escorted by Reef class frigates and Lemartes class destroyers. Known only to the highest chains of command on the vessels and respective warfare officers was the presence of no more than four hunter killer submarines that had fanned out a few tens of kilometres forming an ad hoc picket ring around the Royal Navy echelon.
High above them was the distant, soft, barely audible hum of a drone. Two in fact and based out of Adaptus Astrates they were to work with the echelon as part of Stevid’s first actions in the war.

It had been agreed with Stevidian allies that solely hard attack focus would not be enough to win an armed conflict and that the Empire would take a leading role in achieving some passive mischief against the Fourth Reich. The very presence of an Antares class cruiser, let alone two, showed a real defence in depth when it came to anti-air operations but also in the realms of cyber and information warfare. These made more sense with the inclusion of the two drones flying locale to the fleet. These drones happened to be the newest inclusion into the ranks of the Royal Air Force, the RQ-12 Spectre – part of the PHANTOM series of drones developed for the RAF.
Both the Spectre drone and the Antares cruiser were designed to play key roles in passive electronic attacks and espionage on enemy forces whilst still retaining ability to survive counter-measures from the enemy or at least detecting the counter measures.

The echelon’s mission was twofold:
To begin shortwave radio broadcasting into Kashubia using the TOMBSTONE EW suite to mask the source transmission. The broadcasts were to be highly political and critical of the ruling government. The people of former Red Star Union had suffered greatly over the past few years including war, economic strife and a biological plague of Blood Fever. The Fourth Reich’s intervention and establishment of Kashubia is relatively new and fresh and there would certainly be sympathisers to the allies fighting against Kashubia. The broadcasts would pull at the heartstrings of those seeking a more democratic way of life whilst not alienating those far more left of centre that remember the more communist ways of the past. Given the inherent transmission power of the Antares cruisers these broadcasts could be easily transmitted all across Kashubia.

Second was by doing the aforementioned invite a response, passive or active and cease upon the development. Naturally a cyber-attack would be countered by dedicated aircraft or ground units; the radio transmissions from the SBC broadcaster covertly but on-board on the cruisers would likely have its own signals jammed by the Reich’s own capabilities. But with the Spectre drones and the TOMBSTONE suite, identifying counter enemy signals and localising them was, in fact, as easy as done as it was said. The very nature of this very low key attack was to probe the enemy’s cyber capabilities whilst they were heavily focused on a very dangerous invasion from Morrdh and Mokastana. The size of this echelon was almost negligible in comparison to the huge fleets and air wings currently in play further northeast.
Once, as it was expected, the enemy would counter the electronic attack, the Spectre drone would attempt to trace and identify the EW units the enemy was using to defend itself, or counter-attack. This information would be directly relayed via a secured data link to allied coalition forces that would be able to immediately eliminate the culprit units. If the counter-attack was literal with missiles and/or aircraft, the echelon was more than prepared with its intense anti air capabilities.

The operation began. The skies were clear, the waters above and below the waterline were clear and the SBC broadcast was given the go ahead to begin. There were five readers would rotate every five hours and this would continue 24/7 until the position of the echelon became too dangerous to continue. Though it was estimated that by the time the Reich decided to divert time and resources to the echelon the Holy Empire would have mustered a more credible force in the theatre to be a threat. For now it was just the broadcasts.

“This is the Stevidian Broadcasting Corporation Worldwide Service coming to you all in Kashubia…”


Anchorhead Harbour
Northern Adaptus Astrates

It had been many a year since the nation-state of Adaptus Astrates had truly prepared for war, even if involvement was as limited compared with the almost full mobilisations of the Peoples Republic and the Fourth Reich. Nevertheless, the dominion status Adaptus Astrates had within the Holy Empire meant she had been ever-present in the Empire’s wars. Being no stranger to conflict ensured that such a staunch ally to Stevid and the Empire had little problem in organising itself for war – also considering it was heavily involved in the last regional war that ended only months ago. Anchorhead in northern Adaptus Astrates was one of the largest on the Astratii continent and by far the biggest in nation. It was a mixed civilian and military port that regularly exported minerals out across the region. Today those familiar signs of tankers and cargo ships were replaced with battleship grey war machines. No exactly seldom seen, it was a big port, but certainly never seen before on this scale.

Remnants of the Stevidian 3rd and 5th Fleets were here having been amalgamated under the 3rd Fleet’s command structure until fleet strength had been truly replenished. Anchored out at sea was the Astratii 1st Battlefleet, a carrier and escort heavy force destined for Holy Panooly. Barely visible to the northwest of the harbour was another fleet, the 4th Astartii Battlefleet, of similar composition to the 1st and destined to provide additional support to the Stevidian ‘3rd Fleet’ as it would be sailing towards Kashubia. En route from Stevid to Anchorhead, and only a day away now, was a large Stevidian amphibious assault fleet that made the headlines on the Imperial newswire weeks before the last war’s end due to its participation in one of the largest war-game exercises the region had ever seen. Its inclusion in the Stevidian ORBAT was easy to pick up on and its eventual use would not be met with great anticipation in the Fourth Reich.

The final treat for the people of Anchorhead harbour were the numerous crossings of aircraft from all over the continent and beyond. Stevidian jets and drones, Astratii, and notably Lyran bombers making the trek across the sea to hit targets of the United World Order in not just Kashubia but in Holy Panooly – under heavy escort. Only a year ago such a sight would be beyond belief. The bomber would have been sent crashing down into the sea, or it would have meant Adaptus Astrates was under foreign control. As it was the former enemies were somewhat uncomfortable allies, together with most of the region, as they battled a regime that had been asking for a good kicking for quite some time.